The New Cup
Encyclopedia
"The New Cup" is the second episode of the second season of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords
. This episode was first aired in the United States
on January 25, 2009.
Bret ends up selling his guitar to pay the bills, and he performs on stage with Jemaine while playing air guitar
and making guitar sounds. Murray writes up his negative opinion of the show in the New Zealand consulate newsletter, giving them "two stars out of 100". When Bret asks Murray for some of the emergency band fund, Murray tells him that he invested the money with a Nigerian man named Nigel Seladu who contacted him over the internet. Nigel promised Murray his money back with "a thousand percent interest" and "a share of his family fortunes". Jemaine and Bret are certain that this is merely a scam.
Later on, Bret is trying to sell "super straws" (an extra-long straw made from five regular straws) in front of his apartment when Mel comes by and buys one. When she learns they're having money troubles, she offers to pay them for a massage. Both Bret and Jemaine awkwardly try to give her a minimal contact massage while her husband, Doug, is nearby watching. Jemaine later suggests to Bret that they become male prostitutes, similar to Pretty Woman where, according to Jemaine, "Richard Gere
gets to go out with a pretty woman, Julia Roberts
, who pays him a lot of money". They then launch into a parody of "My Humps
" by The Black Eyed Peas
called "Sugalumps".
Trying their idea out, Jemaine approaches women on the street and asks them if they want to pay money to have sex with Bret, who is standing across the street. They then switch roles, but are unable to drum up any business. At night, their apartment is still without power and Jemaine ends up selling his bass guitar. This results in them playing a gig with both members on air guitar performing "Robots". Murray titles his review of their show "Flight of the No-Chords" and gives them "zero stars". He also tells Bret that his boss Eddy (from his job holding up signs) has called and wants Bret to wear a giant condom costume and pass out free condoms on the street.
Jemaine, meanwhile, calls up an old girlfriend and leaves a message on her answering machine asking her if she wants to pay him for the sex they previously had during their relationship. He later ends up meeting his landlord, Eugene, who found his posting for a male prostitute service on the apartment's bulletin board. Eugene advises him to go to a fancy hotel and try his luck there, having read this in "a normal book with all kinds of facts like that". He says it's called How To Get It Done.
At a band meeting, Murray introduces Nigel Seladu, whose investment offer has turned out to be legitimate and not a scam, and results in Murray earning more than enough money for the Conchords to pay their bills and buy back their guitars. Jemaine is noticeably absent and Bret tells Murray that he is out trying to prostitute himself. Both Murray and Nigel tell Bret to go and stop him. On his way, Bret sings a song called "You Don't Have to be A Prostitute", similar to The Police
's "Roxanne
".
He finds Jemaine in a hotel room about to have sex with a "pretty woman". He starts telling Jemaine that he doesn't need to do this any more but is interrupted by a knock on the door. Bret explains that he called the police to come and save Jemaine. When they enter, they ask Jemaine and Bret if they are prostitutes, to which Jemaine replies "Yes" and Bret replies "No, no. I'm just the guy that wears the big condom". They are both put in jail. Murray comes to bail them out, telling them that he had to spend all of their newly-acquired investment return on bail. He also calls them "a couple of jailhouse turkeys."
During the credits, it is revealed that their power has come back on. However, a fan that was just turned on blows a pile of books over like dominoes, which then cause a spray can to roll into Bret's cup, which falls to the ground and shatters on the floor. Bret comments to Jemaine, "You'll be pleased about that."
" and Kelis's "Milkshake
", the video for which took place in a New York diner, much like the one in which "Sugalumps" takes place. Bret briefly appears as The Prince of Parties, a reference to a song from the season one episode New Fans
. Dave sings his portion of the rap in a style very similar to the opening theme of the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
.
", but "it makes a lot of assumptions about the profession. Singing a song about prostitution, like 'I'll stop you from being a prostitute with this song'".
Flight of the Conchords (TV series)
Flight of the Conchords is an American television comedy series that debuted on HBO on June 17, 2007. The show follows the adventures of Flight of the Conchords, a two-man band from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show stars the real-life duo, Jemaine Clement...
. This episode was first aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on January 25, 2009.
Plot synopsis
Bret and Jemaine's fortunes unravel after Bret buys a new teacup. With emergency band funds unavailable, Jemaine takes desperate measures in hopes of supplementing their income.Plot
The episode begins with Bret having bought a new cup for $2.79 so that he would no longer have to share their one cup. A month later, they find out that their check for the phone bill bounced because their account was short $2.79. The phone company charges them a $30 overdraft fee, causing the cheque for their gas bill to bounce, and both services are scheduled to be cut off. Immediately after finding this out, their power goes off. Bret had apparently received a letter from the power company (presumably warning them of their late payment) but neglected to open it.Bret ends up selling his guitar to pay the bills, and he performs on stage with Jemaine while playing air guitar
Air guitar
Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
and making guitar sounds. Murray writes up his negative opinion of the show in the New Zealand consulate newsletter, giving them "two stars out of 100". When Bret asks Murray for some of the emergency band fund, Murray tells him that he invested the money with a Nigerian man named Nigel Seladu who contacted him over the internet. Nigel promised Murray his money back with "a thousand percent interest" and "a share of his family fortunes". Jemaine and Bret are certain that this is merely a scam.
Later on, Bret is trying to sell "super straws" (an extra-long straw made from five regular straws) in front of his apartment when Mel comes by and buys one. When she learns they're having money troubles, she offers to pay them for a massage. Both Bret and Jemaine awkwardly try to give her a minimal contact massage while her husband, Doug, is nearby watching. Jemaine later suggests to Bret that they become male prostitutes, similar to Pretty Woman where, according to Jemaine, "Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Richard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
gets to go out with a pretty woman, Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
, who pays him a lot of money". They then launch into a parody of "My Humps
My Humps
"My Humps" is the third single by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album, Monkey Business. It samples a section of the song "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment, as well as the 1989 song "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc and "It's Automatic" by Freestyle. Released in 2005, it reached number three in...
" by The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
called "Sugalumps".
Trying their idea out, Jemaine approaches women on the street and asks them if they want to pay money to have sex with Bret, who is standing across the street. They then switch roles, but are unable to drum up any business. At night, their apartment is still without power and Jemaine ends up selling his bass guitar. This results in them playing a gig with both members on air guitar performing "Robots". Murray titles his review of their show "Flight of the No-Chords" and gives them "zero stars". He also tells Bret that his boss Eddy (from his job holding up signs) has called and wants Bret to wear a giant condom costume and pass out free condoms on the street.
Jemaine, meanwhile, calls up an old girlfriend and leaves a message on her answering machine asking her if she wants to pay him for the sex they previously had during their relationship. He later ends up meeting his landlord, Eugene, who found his posting for a male prostitute service on the apartment's bulletin board. Eugene advises him to go to a fancy hotel and try his luck there, having read this in "a normal book with all kinds of facts like that". He says it's called How To Get It Done.
At a band meeting, Murray introduces Nigel Seladu, whose investment offer has turned out to be legitimate and not a scam, and results in Murray earning more than enough money for the Conchords to pay their bills and buy back their guitars. Jemaine is noticeably absent and Bret tells Murray that he is out trying to prostitute himself. Both Murray and Nigel tell Bret to go and stop him. On his way, Bret sings a song called "You Don't Have to be A Prostitute", similar to The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
's "Roxanne
Roxanne (song)
"Roxanne" is a hit song by the rock band The Police, first released in 1978 as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour. It was written from the point-of-view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute.- History :...
".
He finds Jemaine in a hotel room about to have sex with a "pretty woman". He starts telling Jemaine that he doesn't need to do this any more but is interrupted by a knock on the door. Bret explains that he called the police to come and save Jemaine. When they enter, they ask Jemaine and Bret if they are prostitutes, to which Jemaine replies "Yes" and Bret replies "No, no. I'm just the guy that wears the big condom". They are both put in jail. Murray comes to bail them out, telling them that he had to spend all of their newly-acquired investment return on bail. He also calls them "a couple of jailhouse turkeys."
During the credits, it is revealed that their power has come back on. However, a fan that was just turned on blows a pile of books over like dominoes, which then cause a spray can to roll into Bret's cup, which falls to the ground and shatters on the floor. Bret comments to Jemaine, "You'll be pleased about that."
Note
- There are a few noticeable references to the film "Midnight CowboyMidnight CowboyMidnight Cowboy is a 1969 American drama film based on the 1965 novel of the same name by James Leo Herlihy. It was written by Waldo Salt, directed by John Schlesinger, and stars Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Jon Voight in the title role. Notable smaller roles are filled by Sylvia Miles, John...
". In the scene when Jemaine and then Bret ask women if they want to pay money to have sex with them, Bret quotes Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo's (Dustin HoffmanDustin HoffmanDustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. He has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters....
) line "I'm walking here, I'm walking". Little earlier Jemaine suggested Bret that he should wear a cowboy hat to be more attractive to women. In the clip "You Don't Have to be A Prostitute" Jemaine wears a leather cowboy waistcoat and cowboy shoes, and finally during the credits a cowboy hat. - Frank WoodFrank Wood (actor)Frank Wood is an American actor who has appeared in various television, film, and theatre roles. His most frequent role was performing as Greg in the HBO series Flight Of The Conchords.-Early life:...
(Greg) was credited in this episode, but did not actually appear. - In this episode, Kelly TaffeKelly TaffeKelly Taffe is an award winning American actress best known for her work on stage and television.She had a recurring role of the Police Officer on the HBO series, Flight of the Conchords, as well as Chapelle's Show as the Reparations woman....
makes a reappearance as a Police Officer.
Sugalumps
This song is a parody of both Black Eye Peas' "My HumpsMy Humps
"My Humps" is the third single by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album, Monkey Business. It samples a section of the song "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment, as well as the 1989 song "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc and "It's Automatic" by Freestyle. Released in 2005, it reached number three in...
" and Kelis's "Milkshake
Milkshake
A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream or iced milk, and flavorings or sweeteners such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce....
", the video for which took place in a New York diner, much like the one in which "Sugalumps" takes place. Bret briefly appears as The Prince of Parties, a reference to a song from the season one episode New Fans
New Fans
"New Fans" is the tenth episode of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords. This episode first aired in the United States on Sunday, August 19, 2007.-Plot synopsis:...
. Dave sings his portion of the rap in a style very similar to the opening theme of the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
.
You Don't Have to Be a Prostitute
In an A.V. Club interview, Jemaine described wanting to write a judgmental version of The Police's song "RoxanneRoxanne (song)
"Roxanne" is a hit song by the rock band The Police, first released in 1978 as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour. It was written from the point-of-view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute.- History :...
", but "it makes a lot of assumptions about the profession. Singing a song about prostitution, like 'I'll stop you from being a prostitute with this song'".