An Interview with Jemaine's #1 Fan
There is a famous scene in Episode 1, Season 1 of Flight of the Conchords where Mel (their #1 fan) confides that she keeps a picture of Jemaine's lips in her wallet. That scene was based on an actual encounter the Flight of the Conchords had with Jemaine's #1 fan, Deirdre.
Deirdre met the guys for the first time at the 2006 SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas and the meeting was captured in the Conchords' A Texan Odyssey mockumentary.
I recently had the honor of making Deirdre's acquaintance and had to interview her for the answers to some burning questions. :0)
Here's the Interview...
JCFB: When did you first become a fan of Jemaine's?
Deirdre: In September 2005 after watching the HBO One Night Stand, I looked online to find out more about these guys because I was blown away by their talent. Before that, I was not a computer person at all. So I'd have to say that I am first a fan of FoTC. I'll admit that I thought Bret was cute when I saw the Figwit trading cards on the computer that first night. But, after watching the show again (and again, and again), I was quite taken with Jemaine.
JCFB: What was it about him that made you a fan?
Deirdre: His facial expressions, his very fine voice and vocal range, his comedic timing, his kindheartedness. (He's so nice to his buddy, Bret.) He's a brilliantly talented fellow. Plus, of course, I think he's very handsome.
JCFB: Is there anything you found out about him in the beginning that you found interesting?
Deirdre: I was surprised to find out that he was not the same person he seemed to be in his songs. Granted, I knew he wasn't the guy on the boat with Petrov or a Robot. But I really thought there might be a chance for a kiss after the show. I would have taken mine on the cheek or forehead, because after all, I am a married lady.
JCFB: Obviously, you've seen him perform live and even met him in person. Can you describe the very first time you met him?
Deirdre: I was walking through a crowd of people before the Yard Dog show at SXSW 2006. When I saw him, I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "Jemaine!" And he said, "Deirdre!" I'd say it was just perfect. Later, when we chatted after the show, I felt like I said a bunch of nonsense. But that's to be expected. I was pretty freaking thrilled to be there.
JCFB: In the mockumentary, Texan Odyssey, we see his freaked-out reaction to your confession about carrying a picture of his lips with you. What was his real reaction off-camera?
Deirdre: The reaction captured in the documentary was his real reaction. Neither Bret or Jemaine had any idea what I was going to show them.
JCFB: What did he say?
Deirdre: I believe he said, "Um, well it's been nice meeting you," or something like that. They interviewed us for a few minutes before that part, but I guess it was boring and landed on the editing room floor.
JCFB: Do you think that was a fair portrayal of you in the film?
Deirdre: Yes, I truly was as clueless as I appeared. You can see that I kept talking even after they reacted. I didn't think it was that big a deal to have the picture in my wallet. I just thought it was something silly to show them.
JCFB: Do you regret your confession?
Deirdre: No, but I really hadn't thought about it being on TV or for all the world to see. And, I was under the influence of endorphins. Perhaps I would have made a different choice if I hadn't just met the guys and seen them perform live. But then Jemaine's lips might not have become as famous as they have. Oh, who am I kidding?
JCFB: Where is the infamous "lips" picture now? *wink*
Deirdre: You know, I lost it for a while after I took it out of my wallet. But then I found it one day. So I put it somewhere I wouldn't forget. I just don't recall where.
Deirdre was kind enough to send along a thumbnail of the original wallet photo of Jem's lips. I've included it in the left sidebar at the top of this page. Thanks, Deirdre!
JCFB: How many times have you seen him live or met him in person?
Deirdre: I've seen Flight of the Conchords play at the Yard Dog and The Red Eyed Fly at SXSW in Austin 2006. Then I went to NYC to see them at Moe Pitkin's' in July 2006. I brought my cousins to meet them. Sound familiar?
JCFB: Do you think you'll ever see him again in the "distant future?"
Deirdre: Of course. Hopefully not too distant.
JCFB: In Season 1 of his show, there's the famous "lips" scene where Mel pulls out a picture of Jemaine's lips. What was your reaction when you first saw that scene? Elated? Honored?
Deirdre: Totally shocked and a little embarrassed.
JCFB: Speaking of Season 1, any thoughts/opinions now that it's over?
Deirdre: Once I got used to the fact that they were playing different characters than the ones I expected to see, I was able to sit back and enjoy whatever they had come up with. There were some absolutely hysterical scenes that I enjoyed tremendously. And in between those, there were some more subtle funny parts. I usually found the shows funnier on the second or third watch. But that was the case with their classic One Night Stand, too.
JCFB: The 'chords gained a new batch of fans with Season 1. Now there's talk of a fan club. What is your opinion on that? Should there be a fan club? Will you join?
Deirdre: I'm not sure what purpose a fan club would serve. If it is a place for fans to gather and chat about the guys and share stories and photos, then sure. Right now there are several places on the web where some of that is going on (Conchords.net, Whatthefolk.net, MySpace, to name a few), but it wouldn't hurt to have a more centralized group.
JCFB: What's your favorite Conchords song?
Deirdre: I have part of "Mermaid" from the Folk The World CD as my ringtone. I still love the banter and "Kisses" from that CD. And "Petrov" is the song I would most like to see live.
JCFB: Any particular Jemaine quote that you like or still catch yourself saying?
Deirdre: Definitely "Fish fingers" and "Armfish." I know how adolescent that sounds, but it still cracks me up.
JCFB: What is the test of a true Jemainiac?
Deirdre: Someone who buys/sees everything Jemaine has done professionally so he can make enough money to keep doing what he wants to do.
JCFB: Well said. :0)
Special thanks to Deirdre for taking the time to do this interview.
