Thanks to a tip from YMS I have found a new obsession in the work of Matt Johnson and in particular Nirvanna the Band the Show. The below video I have watched many many times, and I still laugh. Every time. I have no idea if it’s niche and not for everyone because of I find it so funny.

The show that they often pitch as Flight of the Concords meets Ali G, is put this way to try and communicate the plot and style respectively: two idiot best friends trying to make it as a band, immersed in the reactions of real people.

It’s a narrative show, there are episode arcs and themes and call backs, but a lot of it seems shaped by real events and interactions with real people. This remains ambiguous for the most part, which is its beauty. Or sometimes there are just real moments in contrived situations between Matt and Jay themselves. They could be pretending to fight and start to laugh, and the sincerity is noticed and kept it.

It is also drenched in film references, some hideously more obscure than others – which makes it all the more personal and rewarding when you watch. I’m not sure if it feels exclusive or in-jokey to those who don’t get any of its references, but this makes it so appealing to me, even when I’m excluded. With mainstream comedy being so broad by its very definition, it’s great to see something that’s not afraid to alienate by referencing or even building a story around some tiny insignificant detail that few are bound to pick up on. It is fast paced, self aware and self referential which reminds me a lot of Rick and Morty.

I have turned into an evangelist for this show, passing it on to people I know will love it. On more than one occasion they have mistakenly started watching the original web series that was made 10 years earlier when Matt and Jay were recent graduates AND YET they didn’t mind the scrappiness and loved it the same. I just went back and watched this 10 part series and really enjoyed it for the same reason I like the Viceland series – it is well crafted and has an arc that plays out over the series (which apparently they will be doing more of in seasons 2 & 3 which which will be coming soon).

Watch this show, the Viceland one, it’s brilliant. Then pass it on, this deserves to be seen.