MANILA, Philippines - They?re creative but a little clueless about rock ?n? roll culture, and are often mistaken for Australians. Music-comedy duo Flight of the Conchords is a versatile pair from New Zealand starring in HBO?s hilarious ?Flight of the Conchords,? where they cultivate their unique brand of humor and artistry. It?s a fictionalized look at the band?s daily inanities as struggling musicians in New York, showcasing Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie?s penchant for silly lyrics and a wide range of musical styles.

Deadpan wit

The half-hour show created by the duo and James Bobin is a pleasing mix of deadpan wit, picturesque songs, and silly music videos written into the story lines. The humor?s focus, or obsession, on trivial matters is Seinfeld-esque, and a little Beavis and Butthead-ish, but ?Conchords? has its distinct tone and flavor. It also pokes fun at serious topics from time to time.

Old friends and roommates Jemaine and Bret Hope to make it big in America. They?re managed by the well-meaning but inept Murray (Rhys Darby), a fellow New Zealander who manages to get them gigs, but in the oddest places. They get into a variety of mini-disasters.

But always, the banter between the Conchords and in their various interactions are thigh-slappers.

Likeable losers

These characters are likeable losers. Jemaine is the goofier one; he gets the sillier sequences mainly because his character?s written as the dumber guy. Lacking in social skills, he can?t grasp the concept of privacy when Bret and his new girlfriend go on dates.

Bret, meanwhile, is slightly more centered but is a pushover. He?s more serious, but gets just as goofy as his pal on rare occasions. He?s a bit smarter than Jemaine, but they?re both quite unsure and dependent on Murray when it comes to making career decisions.

Memorable number
As musicians, Jemaine and Bret are no strangers to disparate styles; they integrate folk, rock, reggae, hip-hop, synth-pop and R & B whenever necessary. The imagery-inspiring lyrics add to the hilarity. Jemaine?s Barry White-ish music video, a dream sequence where he describes events leading to a sexy time with a woman, is a memorable number. The pair also sings as Hobbits in a ?Lord of the Rings?-inspired video, which is immensely entertaining.

It?s fun to soar into Conchords? world every episode, and experience the desperate, dedicated duo?s brand of flighty music and comedy.

?Flight of the Conchords? airs on HBO starting Sept. 3 at 10:30 p.m.