The newest thing that has fans of alternative comedy squealing with mirth is the musical ho-ho-hoe down of Flight of the Conchords (BBC Four, Tuesday, 9.30pm). A pair of Enzedders who made it big in the US with their unique brand of comedic songwriting and ultra dry wit. Last week, our Anna dug it (but saw room for improvement) … but what about the rest of us?

Like many, I was very impressed with the taster shown on BBC Four before the series started. It featured Jermaine and Bret live, unplugged and in stonking form. In fact, I started to think that I may go easy on future comedians who turn up with guitars (although I’m not ready to embrace Jasper Carrot as yet). So when the series started, it was with a real sense of anticipation. Could this be the show that compels me to tune in week after week and reward me with huge gut laughs?

After seeing the first show, I was left slightly deflated. I liked the show, but by no means loved it. The songs, which are the real star of the programme, felt weakened by studio wizardry and when polished, the songs seemed to lack the improvisational charm of the live set. Of course, you can’t expect them to record their episodes live, but then again, I imagine that their live set is so very well rehearsed that it leaves very little room for improvisation.

So onto last night and the second installment of Flight of the Conchords. Again, the programme was slow and, in a weird way, quite depressing, compared to the live show. Again, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. The whole point of this series is that we are to watch a pair of songwriters in a rubbish band with a rubbish manager. The laughs you get are often embarrassed ones and sometimes only a keen eye will spot the mirth. It’s very much like the scene in Spinal Tap when the band discover that they’re second on the bill to a puppet show. Imagine that squirming lasting for 30 minutes.

It’s easy to see why this programme could be hated. The reference points are so niche that, if you don’t get them, then you’ll simply view this programme as a very dull half hour with two people being incredibly awkward and slightly rude to each other. However, those in on the joke will probably appreciate the sly nods and feel a chemistry between Bret and Jermaine. In saying that, I do understand the points of reference and I do like comedy shows that slowly unfurl… but I feel that I’m somewhere in the middle of a lover and a loather. This programme could offer so much more, even though it occasionally offers great jokes, exchanges and sequences. I wish I could have made this article funnier… but I’m afraid that this is the effect of Flights of the Conchord; you simply can’t relay what you like about it. Maybe that’s the problem?