A queer analysis of HBO's Flight of the Conchords

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to engage in a queer theoretical reading of the HBO original comedy series Flight of the Conchords. We examine the ways that assumptions of heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are challenged, and show how alternative ways of performing gender and straightness are presented through the analysis of episodes and songs from the show. Both male and female characters serve as examples of the queering of established gender roles. Although the depiction of sex and gender in Conchords occasionally serves to maintain gender norms, on the whole, it presents viewers with challenges to heteronormative standards and gender norms. Flight of the Conchords also offers a critique of heterosexuality through its parody of heteronormative performance. The many queer moments that occur in the show call our attention to the gendered presuppositions that underlie our everyday framework of understanding. Unlike many traditional sitcoms that uphold norms by laughing at characters who challenge them, Conchords' humor is more subversive, and does not mock its characters. In this way, the show can help reveal gender and sexual norms, and guide viewers to the possibilities of escaping or transcending those norms, going beyond the binary, and imagining a queer space.

Keywords::

• gender
• masculinity
• queer theory
• heteronormative
• femininity
• television

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected].

^2. The soft masculine man favors equality with women and is portrayed as embracing traditionally feminine traits such as being ‘caring, sensitive’ and ‘taking on “unnatural” feminine characteristics such as housework and emotional literacy’ (Hatfield 2010, p. 529).

^3. All episodes are referred to by title and can be found at http://www.hbo.com/flight-of-the-conchords/index.html#/flight-of-the-conchords/episodes/index.html.

^4. Murray's suggestions include staying off main streets and using back alleys, wearing reflective safety vests, and keeping open maps with them.

^5. All song lyrics cited throughout the paper can be found at http://flightoftheconchords.co.nz/chords-lyrics/.

^6. Lucy Lawless, who portrayed the sexually ambiguous Xena, guest stars in ‘New Zealand Town.’

^7. When Jemaine points out that the couple has pictures of themselves with Dave when he was a child, Dave responds ‘I know. It's creepy. I think they make them on the computer’ (‘New Fans’).

^8. They make a very lame weapon.

^9. Dave also thinks women like ‘men in kilts, Southern Comfort, and Chris Isaak's “Wicked Game”’ (‘Wingmen’).

^10. Metrosexuality refers to a style of masculinity which ‘equates manhood with consumption through expensive personal care, fashionable clothes, and other luxury items’ (Miller 2011, p. 147). The guys' lack of financial resources certainly prevents them from falling into this category, though there is also no evidence that they want to be in it, either.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly A. Burns

Kelly A. Burns is the Chair and an Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy at Dominican University. She holds a doctorate in Philosophy from Marquette University. She is currently researching microaggressions in teaching philosophy and preparing a course on Hispanic/Latin philosophy.

Maria J. Veri

Maria J. Veri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at San Francisco State University. She holds a doctorate in Cultural Studies in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research areas of interest include gender and race in sport, gender and media studies, and intersections between sport and food politics.