ABSTRACT
This chapter looks how the Flight of the Conchords fit into dialogue around comedy television and shows that how they are one of a number of comedy series which axis on negotiations of, and anxieties around, contemporary masculinities. It discusses positing that not only are prescribed gender codes a core component of any genre, but that the Conchords' parody is more than just musical, their playful gender performances are also a big part of the satire. The chapter includes details of specific tracks as parodies of particular pop music masculinities and highlights the apparent awkwardness at conforming to the gender conventions of genre, such as their inability to be sexist enough for hip-hop, or not being romantically skilled enough for R 'n' B. Pop music genres also have distinctive non-musical aspects such as stance, demeanour, fashion, notions of authenticity, sincerity, relationship to record label, types of record label, race, lyrical themes.
