Comments on: The Flight of Conchords and “second look” television

By: catherine

catherine — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:34:16 +0000

This is one of the few shows I actually enjoy watching, and one of the only shows.The subtle humor of this show is just so great. This is one of the best shows I've ever seen and it truly is one of the funniest. I loved the first season of Flight of the conchords. It's a great season.

By: ceebeecee

ceebeecee — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:48:37 +0000

Shows that inspire second looks are shows that offered something to the viewer in the first place that the viewer saw and inspired the viewer to want to explore more. I have watched the episodes more than once and laughed every time. Flight is clever and funny. In my household, three generations enjoy the show and the music. I have seen the live crowds that follow this show and in this cas the digital divide argument does not ring true with what is true. Flight may appeal to males 18-34 but it realizes a much broader fanbase in many countries.

By: ceebeecee

ceebeecee — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:48:22 +0000

By: howmidoinhuh

howmidoinhuh — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:46:52 +0000

I agree that a show like Flight of the Conchords probably requires a second look. But there are many elements in this show, and in other second-look shows, that beg that second look. This show is so full of stuff it can be difficult to catch it all. But for me the part that made me take a second look was the way they depict NYC–as a crowded stinky place with shoebox apartments. Their apartment, with two off-the-street mattresses on the floor and found furniture, is the real NYC many of us experience. Probably easier for HBO to do a second-look show than for some of the nets. i saw the pilot for Flight of the Conchords on Yahoo TV and then kept up with it on HBO.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:03:36 +0000

I wonder whether the audience for these shows isn't a group that gets 90% of it the first time. It's hard for me to see why someone who was bored and confused the first time would bother to go back and watch it again. Even for those who like something the first time, how many have the spare time and attention to go back and watch it again?

By: Jared

Jared — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:36:04 +0000

Haven't second-look shows been on the air for a while? Twin Peaks, for example, may have tried to remind viewers with flashbacks and exposition, but the plotline was complicated enough that these were ineffective. HBO has done this before with Carnivale, which got cancelled after the second season because it was too much work to watch. On the other hand, a lot of the recent criticism directed at Lost is that since the writers are making it up as they go along there isn't anything to look at a second time.

By: Jeffrey Osborne

Jeffrey Osborne — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:02:42 +0000

The second look idea seems like a useful and insightful approach. This builds well on the theme of complex narrative marketing. In the past I've been skeptical of how Grant uses tv programming to make his ideas more accessible. Now I think I have a clearer understanding. Thanks Grant. This post helps me better understand narrative marketing. I'm also appreciating the way that you work with the audience's shared understanding of pop culture as a vehicle to introduce foreign concepts. I've never even seen the show, but I know enough about the context to see what you're talking about. Clever.

By: J.Loveock

J.Loveock — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:59:59 +0000

That’s an interesting perspective. I had put the humor of Flight down to being appreciated only by Antipedians. Or more specifically, Antipeadians who had spent time in America. But when considered in parrellel with Arrested Development I buy the ‘second look’ theory. (Though, I ‘m not sure I believe the distinction between first and second look is generationally based. )
I think a third marketing issue related to the topic that should be questioned is – what are the metrics considered for success for shows in this (2nd look) category? While the reach is never going to be as broad (given the show is created to not to pander to the slowest person in the room), personal investment in the show (and therefore its messages, endorsements etc) is likely to be deeper. Given the saturation of television (or infact media), you would think a show that packed a harder, more focused punch, would be of value.
Maybe they’re catering for this in their metrics already (maybe that’s why we were blessed with seasons 2 and 3 of Arrested Development ). I hope so.

By: Bud Caddell

Bud Caddell — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:49:49 +0000

You nailed it, Grant.

Second look shows are so much more compelling to the passionate viewer -- but as I learned with Arrested Development, new entrants into the show just didn't 'get it'. But it seems like with DVD sales and iTunes, you can eek more profit out of these second look shows down the road -- or am I wrong?

By: The Owner's Manual

The Owner's Manual — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:10:56 +0000

I've found that the nature of TIVO has seduced me into being a second viewer. The residence of shows like Deadwood and Battlestar Galactica on my hard drive until I wish otherwise, has led me to repeated viewings of episodes.

Each viewing reveals something missed the previous time(s). These shows are dense in meaning, though. Repeated viewing of Monk or House does not add much.