By Matthew Wood

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Two dudes want to change the world with their music, but instead they just kinda hang around and don’t do much of anything. Oh, and they break out into song out of the middle of nowhere, usually with comedic results. Tenacious D, anyone?

Yes, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, the new HBO comedy starring Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement as best friends and bandmates from New Zealand, takes the blueprint from one of the more successful comedies in HBO history. But, is that such a bad thing?

Well, let’s clarify. Much like The D, you probably have to put quotes around the “band” these guys are in. It’s more like just the two of them singing techno-tinged folk ballads to nobody in particular. Since moving to New York, they have managed to find a manager —  whose main contribution to the band so far is a cell phone he purchased for them  to shoot their music video, and who almost got them a gig at the aquarium, before realizing the flyer he saw had a typo and the venue was actually requesting sand, not looking for a band.

The Flight of the Conchords bandmates also have a die-hard fan. Unfortunately, she’s not all that cute, is a bit of a psycho stalker and happens to be married. So, there goes that one.

In the series premiere, Jemaine meets the girl of his dreams at a party. He woos her with song and dance, crooning that she is hot enough to be a part-time model —  but that she probably shouldn’t quit her regular job. Of course, she is Bret’s old girlfriend, and things start to fizzle when he brings her home, only to find Bret hanging out at the place. Talk about awkward (well, actually they do talk about how awkward it is when Bret joins them on their next dinner date).

HBO has been doing its best to promote this show, and if it fails it won’t be for lack of exposure. Jemaine and Bret are likeable enough, and they should only get better as they get more comfortable in front of the camera. Yes, their humor is a bit dry at times. And yes, it’s hard to understand what they’re saying. I mean, who among us actually speaks New Zealandese? (Or whatever?)

I think this show has potential, once these guys find their niche and start developing some running jokes. And, really, there are a lot worse things to be compared to than comedic superstars like The D.