Keithblog

A very generic title which concisely manages to cover two of my favourite New Zealand related things at the moment.


First off it’s not very often we hear from New Zealand on this side of the planet, but it turns out they make fantastic tourism adverts (the clip on their website is better). How could anyone watch this and not want to visit Aotearoa?

Secondly a hidden New Zealand gem is a programme called Flight of the Conchords, which for some reason the Beeb have decided to hide in the back end of BBC Four (at these times). The programme is best described as simply genius, okay maybe pure genius, but genius none the less. Take a look for yourself.

It’s a HBO comedy (all the good ‘Merkin ones are) in which New Zealanders - and wannabe musicians - Bret and Jemaine struggle to make it big in New York. They of course have a rubbish manager Murray who also doubles as New Zealand’s cultural attaché, and their stalker and biggest fan Mel.

Today I finished watching the final episodes from the last-ever series of Arrested Development. Quite possibly the greatest American sitcom of all time. Then just because Average Joe Yank’s didn’t get the humour this Emmy Award-winning comedy was cancelled by Fox.

For those of you who haven’t seen any of it the Chicken Dances, the above should give you an insight into the Bluth Family. To find out more about their company, the British Mafia from Wee Britain and the minor treason(s) - you will just have to watch. However, some good news is that MSN now provided it for free on their new online video service.

Keithout

Hugh Dennis does the voice-over on this newsreel which features the Duke of Ed finding it hard not to react to former German Chancellor Schröder. According to the website in the thirty minutes of the programme you could burn up to 80 Calories.

• Mock the Week on bbc.co.uk

Keithout

I watch BBC Four, don’t you know?

Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe is one of the funniest shows on and the recent US Special was a no exception, witty and unashamedly insulting. Screenwipe is a review of all things Television hosted by Charlie Brooker (of all people).

While you’re on Freeview channel 9 you should also check out;

• The Late Edition - It’s like Newsnight with a dash of comedy, and a sprig of Steve Furst.
• The Thick of It - Award winning comedy, set in shambles we call government. A new series is planned for 2007.

Who knows, together we might give BBC Four that ratings spike it’s been waiting for.

Keithout

Before I head back to Coleraine for the week I thought I would let you in on a little secret.

If you haven’t already witnessed the greatest American sitcom since, well possibly ever, then welcome to the Bluth family of Arrested Development…

Series 1 and 2 are currently in the shops with the third and final (at the minute) series coming soon.

Keithout

P.S. Incase you were thinking of not watching this, just remember, I have your IP addresses!