Noise
The Mighty Boosh: A "Mighty" Wind
It took five years for Britain's oddest comedy to blow our way. What an outrage!
By Steve Kandell 09.13.09 10:21 PM
The cultural landscape is littered with British phenoms aspiring to make it in the States. And just as the stakes are high for bands, so they are for a cultishly revered show about -- here goes -- a glam rocker, a jazzbo, a drug-dealing shaman, and a gorilla who travel the universe and greater London, encountering mythical beasts such as a transsexual sea monster, a hard-partying tentacled pink head named Tony Harrison, an army of demonic grandmas, and Bryan Ferry. Five years after its BBC debut, The Mighty Boosh has come to America.
To celebrate the show's DVD release and its Adult Swim debut (in grievously abridged form), Noel Fielding, 36, and Julian Barratt, 41 -- respectively, impeccably rooster-haired dandy Vince Noir and mustachioed fusion enthusiast Howard Moon -- hosted sold-out live spectacles in New York and Los Angeles in August, similar to the bizarro stage shows a decade ago that spawned the series. With a DVD box set due this month, Fielding and Barratt help prepare you for the Boosh onslaught.
All your favorite rock stars can't be wrong
The show's pop references, overstuffed narratives, and endless quotability make for ideal tour-bus fodder. "I went to see David Byrne, and he and his band were Boosh nuts," says Barratt. "I went backstage and they were all applauding." Fielding also counts Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Kings of Leon among the Boosh converts. "Our stuff is all about the details," he says. "Like a serial killer's diary -- you read a few pages and think, 'What's this shit?' then you can't put it down. We wanted to be psychedelic and musical, not make observations about girlfriends and all that rubbish."
Fright of the Conchords
The similarities to a certain Kiwi musical-comedy duo were initially too close for Fielding and Barratt's comfort. "It was annoying at first, and obviously they're not as weird as us, but maybe they've paved the way a bit," says Fielding, who was one scheduling conflict away from playing David Bowie in a Flight of the Conchords episode during their frenemies' first season on HBO. "I think we could do a Cannonball Run–type movie together."
Today, the stoner kids. Tomorrow, the world.
After three seasons on BBC Three, Fielding and Barratt are mulling offers for another season, possibly as an American co-production, as well as a movie and a live album. Meanwhile, the Rocky Horror–like reception in New York and L.A. suggests word of mouth is spreading beyond tour buses. "Our show is an acquired taste," says Barratt, "but I think it helps to have it recommended by a stoned 22-year-old." Of the many intriguing opportunities, however, a Yankee remake à la The Office holds no appeal. "Then what would we do?" asks Fielding. "I wanna come hang out in America. I'm bored with London."
WATCH: The Mighty Boosh
Wow, Steve Kandell, you are SO arrogant. You think the only people who enjoy something off-beat, creative and strange must be stoner kids. That's sad.
I absolutely agree. I love the Boosh and so far have not watched it stoned. I was expecting something huge like a ginormous interview to welcome the funniest British exports since Python. Shame on Steve Kandell.
It was Julian Barrat who said that, not the interviewer.
Actualy I belive he was quoting Julian Barrett hence the quotation marks!
Had you continued reading that paragraph, you would have realized the sentiment was a direct quote from Barratt himself... Are you suggesting that it was arrogant for him to make this observation on his own creation?
BEST. SHOW. EVER.
^^ it was Julian Barratt that made the stoner kid remark.
^^
And he was probably making reference to some of the crowd members in the states
i love the boosh no matter who said stoner i dont and cant smoke but i still trip out off there show the charcters the comdey the cheap props even if they had a major budget they wouldnt use expensive props they make there own the show is off the chain and watching this makes me think of the people of new orleans i know that sounds funny but trust me the french quarter has people dressed and act just like them
mighty booooooooooooosh !!!!!!
We love this show. Adult Swim hardly discovered it -- BBC America used to run it, and it's played for several years in Canada. The secret charm of the Boosh -- and they *are* charming, as well as profane and everything else in-between -- is that particular British embracing of the absurd and the understanding that they can be very smart and very silly at same exact moment.
They deserve all the fame they can get! The Boosh is Loose!
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I love the Boosh. Have for 3 years. I'm not a stoner, but while trying to spread the love, many friends have made varying comments all with the underlying theme of "I'd probably have to watch that high." I understand the comment Barratt made, as it is true for their form of comedy, but that doesn't describe their fanbase completely-- a feat which I would challenge anyone to do successfully.
I hope they come back to America. I would love to go to one of their shows as a fan of both of their solo standup acts, as well as the Boosh (the American recordings of 'married on the morrow' had me amazingly excited, and I can't wait for people to be amazed by the power of oblong.
Ha, we found out about it on NPR! Go figure!! LOVE THE BOOSH...quite addicted, actually!
Watched Boosh since it first hit the UK screens {as I am British lol}...couldn't live without it ...end of story :D
THE BOOSH RULE! <3
I am 50 years old and have watched The Boosh for years- since I was charmed by the first series shown on BBCAmerica ( not as chopped as Adult Swim, btw.) Their show inspired me to buy my all-region dvd player so I was able to purchase and see all their dvd's. Sorry if this makes them uncool, but they transcend age and country. Ever since my son saw them in Edinburgh in 2006 , I have wanted to see them on stage- but in the USA it is all about the 'stoners' so I fear I won't be doing that.
The Mighty Boosh rules! I got my first box set in 2006. All Americans should know the importance of "region free" dvd players and amazon UK. You don't have to wait years to see comedy gold from around the world. Empower yourself!!!
I was curious about the Boosh since 2007 because I'd seen stills from episodes in British magazines (NME mostly) and figured it was something strictly for only UK I'll never see (Like "The IT crowd" is destined to be) but I'm very happy that it's cracked the USA and becoming quite big enough to have a major following.
None of my friends like it at all nor understand my love for Noel Fielding (Rude comments on him will not be repeated here) in all forms. He is very talented as well as all the Boosh cast.
I've love to see the Boosh live in my town too or see Noel do stand up. You need not to be stoned to understand the show or their humor unless you are humorly impaired I guess that's why some don't get it.
my husband and i love the boosh and have the dvds. we are not stoners at all. we are just immature at heart! lol
The Boosh are brilliant & I hope they come back to the states soon. I commuted 10 hours to New York on less than a week's notice with all of my paycheck just to be in the same area as them. I wasn't lucky enough to get into the signing or the afterparty, but I did see them at a stop light and I got to touch Noel's hair & hi five Michael. It was wild. Hopefully next time it'll be a ticked sort of thing. It's nice to hear updates on them, though. Cheers! x
I love the Mighty Boosh. I'd accidentally stumbled upon it on Adult Swim. I used to sleep before 1:00 am, so I never got a chance to see the show. Now I watch it every sunday night.
It's definitely an acquired taste when you compare it to American comedy. Theirs is really about dirty humor, political banter and more word play than anything else. And it always seems to have a formula and have a level of seriousness even when trying to be funny.
I liked the Mighty Boosh because they seemed to be extremely original, even if someone were to try to duplicate it, it would never be exactly like it. Their humor is all their own and they're more visual than American comedies, which was what kept me hooked.
It's true that a majority of American people say you have to be high to watch it, but, I get a high from watching it! ^^
I've watched every bit totally UN stoned and so has my 9 yr. old kiddo:-), and we both love it, each in out different way, I, for the understood intertextuality and my girl due to the surreal drama of it all - not to metion The Soup Song!
I've watched every bit totally UN stoned and so has my 9 yr. old kiddo:-), and we both love it, each in out different way, I, for the understood intertextuality and my girl due to the surreal drama of it all - not to metion The Soup Song!
The Mighty Boosh is brilliant. I love it, stoned or not. However, I have recommended it to many of my friends and put on my season DVDs while high.
I'm a 60yr old woman with a terrific, open minded sense of humor, I LOVE The Boosh, I think they're fantastic! I hope that when they come back to the states they keep in mind that people in the south, Atlanta area in particular, enjoy them as well as the people in LA and NY. I also love The Flight of the Concords, Little Brittan,The IT Crowd, The Office, League of Gentlemen, Spaced, and Trailer Park Boys, to name but a few. I hope they don't do a US version, with the exception of The Office (which has carved out it's own personality in the states) most attempts end horribly, (remember Couples? I didn't think so). Don't ruin The Boosh, it's perfect the way it is. Oh, and no, I don't need weed to have a laugh.
OBLONG! XD
The power of oblong.
Adults now-a-days don't say oblong!
...
"I've got in on tape!"
Ahh god I love it. :) x
Could you imagaine an American version? Vince would be a woman so they can run a "sexual tension" story line-hey - worked for Moonlighting. Naboo could be a smart talking but wise little black kid like in Different Strokes. Add a laugh track so the home audience know when to laugh. Howard would like American sport, and not jazz and Bolo would be their friendly gay neighbour. Not a gorrila. Too much like guerilla. Confusing. Take out any reference to drugs, travel or British pop stars and change all the music to insipid "r'n'b", And set it in a hotel in New Hampshire. And they solve crimes using superior electronic equipment. And each episode would end in a hug. There you have it except the new title: The Great Silly Fun Gang:CSI". Edgy but tested well in Wyoming.
sounds like the beginnings of a bizarre ****o!
As an aussie who used to be in a band in 93 which was booshed up before its time, I gotta say - Julian, Noel et al are genius, but Flight of the Conchords have covered for NZ and the USA (lets be honest the yanks could not do anything like this in their wildest dreams...I'll be *very* surprised if there are enough immigrants there to make the show a hit, BUT Australia's not done anything like this** yet -
This....this IS an outrage! The Chaser was good, as were D-Gen. But they were missing that x-factor. Well, drugs actually (shh) but more the genius behind the bong, needles, paint tins and glow sticks ;-)
** (a musical comedy that works, that "takes you down to funky town does not let you go let me go, gravitational pull Noel, No ho ho el...ah. Thank you Sir. Ah. Ah. Ah CHOO! trip train a yeeeh chica chica, haaaaaaa, tic, BA boom bom BOOOOM. Chit! ....ba bip bom chica chica yessir")
Re: Stoner remark.
You'll find that they (esp Noel) make a few mistakes dropping the drug references....but you gotta know London to understand, the scene they came from makes them very normal, and I'd bet my bottom dollar they never went overboard. Except Harrison maybe lol/ What is it with Americans and drugs? You accept muslims, homosexuals, and blacks now (clap clap) but if someone is a "junkie" or a "terrorist" its open season....mate - Australia's been under attack too, and we are more accepting than the square root of France, the USA and Serbia ! Oooh dear!
I am SO incredibly excited they are finally becoming popular in the states. I've been a fan for about a year and have just been waiting for the day they will tour here. For the record, I am not a stoner, though, the Boosh are an acquired taste. It's so witty, I don't understand how people can't enjoy it. Hope they keep making seasons :)
[oh yeah - as for the article]:
Love the Boosh!
Not sure I understand the thought process behind either Boo offering that those who appreciate their work (composed straight per prior interviews) should somehow need to have Their minds dulled or artificially warped in order to do so. Just a flippant joke, more than likely, but how about giving the throngs of people who turned out in NY/SF/LA just an eensy bit of the credit and/or appreciation they've earned instead?
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