Flightless Bird – "Kiwis in America with Rhys Darby"

Podcast: Flightless Bird
Host: David Farrier
Guest: Rhys Darby, Rosie Carnahan Darby, with cohost Rob and guest cameo Tim Batt
Date: December 10, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode explores what it means to be a New Zealander ("Kiwi") navigating life and culture in America, viewed through the experiences of beloved Kiwi comedian/actor Rhys Darby. Host David Farrier is joined by Darby and his wife, Rosie Carnahan Darby, to discuss the Kiwi journey to American pop culture prominence, the subtle dynamics of Kiwi/American identity, staying authentic abroad, "tall poppy syndrome," and the joys and oddities of living between two worlds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introductions & Podcast Crossovers (00:04–01:25)

• Tim Batt (cohost of The Worst Idea of All Time) joins to discuss his podcast’s bizarre premise: reviewing the same movie every week for a year.
  • "It's deeply fascinating because you start sort of tearing yourself apart and it gets very navel gazing very quick." – Tim Batt (01:06)
• David reflects on Tim's show as a favorite and segues into today's topic.

Kiwi Success Abroad and Rhys Darby's Rise (01:25–04:13)

• Tim Batt explains New Zealand’s pride in Rhys Darby and the phenomenon of only celebrating local talent after it's been validated overseas.
  • "There's this funny thing in New Zealand where the general public are not interested really in anything from New Zealand until America has deigned that thing good." – Tim Batt (02:20)

Honesty & New Zealand Friendship Culture (04:40–06:24)

• Humorous digression about David's 'friend vs colleague' list in the newsroom, reflecting the Kiwi tendency for straightforwardness.
  • Farrier apologizes to Tim for underselling their friendship.
• Sidebar on the Kiwi habit of honesty and understated self-presentation.

Flight of the Conchords and Cultural Impact (06:35–09:19)

• Rhys Darby's breakout role as Murray in Flight of the Conchords serves as a lens to understand how New Zealanders are perceived and perceive themselves in US pop culture.
• Discussion of actors who play "themselves" vs true chameleons: The Rock, Jesse Eisenberg, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tom Cruise.

Rhys & Rosie Darby: Life, Animals, and Staying Kiwi (12:09–14:52)

• At the Darby home, David chats with Rhys and Rosie over their multiple pets—reflecting on their Kiwi roots and deep affection for animals.
• Both come from animal-loving families; David recalls a pet goat and “ducks in the bathtub.” Rhys notes, “They [goats] suit me to a tee.” (14:42)
• Explores how these rural, grounded childhoods contrast with Hollywood life.

Making It in America: Culture Shock & Accents (14:52–22:46)

• Rhys recounts first coming to the US for Flight of the Conchords. The pilot’s launch on MySpace gave the show viral visibility.
  • "I certainly did [feel] that I'd won a lottery." – Rhys Darby (19:41)
• Rosie laughs about their excitement: taking photos of TV trailers and sets, not tourist sights.
• Rhys details moving to America for Yes Man with Jim Carrey, a lifelong comedic idol.
  • "If you had one dream… it would be to work with Jim Carrey. And then here's my first movie, working alongside him." – Rhys Darby (22:22)

Keeping the Kiwi Essence: Accent and Outsider Status (23:14–24:19)

• Despite fame, Rhys keeps his distinctive accent and outsider perspective.
  • "I live in my own world… Even back home, I feel like I was dropped out of space." – Rhys Darby (23:30)
  • Not yet a US citizen, he likes feeling a little alien.

Tall Poppy Syndrome and New Zealand Psychology (29:12–31:19)

• Rhys created Short Poppies, a show based on New Zealand's "tall poppy syndrome"—the tendency to cut “the tall poppy” down and the suspicion of stand-outs.
  • "Americans… just can't understand what that is. Everyone should stick their heads out and be confident. So I wanted to look at the fact that short poppies are basically everyone else in New Zealand." – Rhys Darby (29:17)
• Characters in the show reflect the unique blend of humility, oddness, and confidence in 'ordinary' Kiwis.

Kiwi vs. American Life: What’s Missed and What’s Loved (31:41–34:06)

• Rhys and Rosie list what they miss when away from their respective homes:

  • From America: tacos, valet parking.
  • From NZ: fish and chips, the village/Shire vibe, and Vegemite.
    • "When you go home… you take that first breath… and you go, oh my gosh, I'm home. And then someone goes, hey bro, do you want a flat white?" – Rhys Darby (32:14)

• Discussion of how their kids benefit from US culture’s willingness to celebrate achievement, compared to NZ's automatic egalitarian ethos.

  • "Over here, it's okay to tell kids they're the best in the class… to be celebrated." – Rosie Carnahan Darby (33:29)

The “Kiwi Spirit” Abroad (34:40–35:14)

• Rhys reflects on New Zealand’s comedic spirit and global impact.
  • "We have a great sense of humor and we just don't take life too seriously. We're very inventive and courageous people… willing to get out there and give it a go and probably not succeed, but have a laugh along the way… That's the New Zealand spirit." – Rhys Darby (34:40)

Reflections: Identity, Fame, and Cultural Validation (38:46–39:32)

• David and Rob analyze how New Zealanders only value their own artists after international validation, and then tend to “level” them if they get "too big."
  • "We have this very unusual psyche about people leaving and about fame...it's a really weird thing to see." – David Farrier (39:23)

Tangents on Food, Streaming, and Childhood Heroes (42:41–45:17)

• Extended, lively exchange on LA food, Chicago vs. New York pizza, Mexican cuisine, and how American cities’ culinary diversity contrasts with smaller NZ towns.
• Nostalgic appreciation for HBO’s golden era of TV curation.
• Rhys’s extensive filmography receives a shout-out, especially his unexpected global reach.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On international Kiwi success:
  "Some people, they just attract animals. My dad was one of those." – Rhys Darby (13:23)

• On keeping his identity:
  "I'm not changing myself… I live in my own world and I've always felt like an alien no matter where I am…" – Rhys Darby (23:14, 23:30)

• On what makes Kiwi humor work:
  "We have a great sense of humor and we just don't take life too seriously... willing to get out there and give it a go and probably not succeed, but have a laugh along the way." – Rhys Darby (34:40)

• On ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’:
  "If you stick your head out in a small population… people will look at you strangely. Americans… just can't understand what that is… everyone should stick their heads out and be confident." – Rhys Darby (29:17)

• On celebrating achievement in America:
  "It's okay to tell kids they're the best in the class every now and again… to be celebrated because it makes the kids feel really good about themselves." – Rosie Carnahan Darby (33:29)

• David and Rob on fame and validation:
  "In New Zealand, before America gave her [Lord] the approval, everyone was just like, ah, it's some musician. America gives the approval… this is our main thing… A few years go by… and then New Zealand goes, oh, no, you're too big now." – David Farrier (39:03)

Highlighted Timestamps

• 00:06–01:25: Tim Batt describes his podcast's premise and the oddity of watching the same movie every week.
• 01:55–02:50: Tim Batt on Rhys Darby breaking out in New Zealand.
• 12:09–14:52: David joins the Darby household, animal tales and upbringing.
• 19:17–20:27: Rhys describes arriving in America for Flight of the Conchords pilot.
• 22:22–22:46: Rhys reflects on achieving his dream to work with Jim Carrey.
• 23:14–23:30: Rhys on keeping his Kiwi accent and identity.
• 29:12–31:19: Rhys explains "Tall Poppy Syndrome" and its effect on Kiwi psyche.
• 33:29–34:06: Rosie Carnahan Darby on celebrating kids’ achievements in America.
• 34:40–35:14: Rhys Darby on the uniquely inventive, humorous Kiwi spirit.
• 39:03–39:32: David and Rob dissect New Zealand attitudes toward fame and validation.

The Tone & Spirit

The episode is conversational, self-deprecating, and gently humorous, perfectly capturing the Kiwi blend of earnestness and humility. Farrier’s affectionate curiosity, Rob’s dry American perspective, and Rhys Darby's comic timing combine for an insightful cultural meditation that never takes itself too seriously. The show’s warmth and informality are infectious, making listeners feel part of a kitchen-table chat among friends.

For New Listeners

Even if you’ve never seen Flight of the Conchords or heard of Rhys Darby, this episode vividly conveys the essence of New Zealand’s cultural DNA, and the unique joys and challenges faced by outsiders-turned-insiders in American society. Like the ‘flightless birds’ of the show's title, these Kiwis demonstrate that you don’t need to fly to soar.