Hamish and Andy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hamish and Andy are an Australian comedy duo, consisting of Hamish Blake and Andy Lee. The name of their act is a play on the title of radio sitcom Amos 'n' Andy.
The two met while studying commerce at the University of Melbourne, and entered comedy competitions. They developed a sketch show called Radio Karate for community television station Channel 31, which caught the attention of Seven Network boss Ian Johnson.
They then presented a show on Wednesday nights on Seven. It was a casual talk program mixed with sketch comedy. It featured a number of actors and continued sketches from the Channel 7 sketch show Big Bite. The show was received poorly by television critics and was promptly axed. Soon after the show's early conclusion, Hamish and Andy were offered a late-night shift on radio station Fox FM, for which they were not paid. The station warmed to the duo, and they went on to host the Almost Midday show on Saturdays.
As ratings improved for the pair, it was announced that in 2006 they would have their own weekday drive program from 4-6pm. This show is broadcast to other Today Network radio stations in Perth (92.9), Adelaide (SAFM) and Brisbane (B105), and is replayed in a highlights package on Saturdays. This radio spot came soon after signing with Rove McManus' production company Roving Enterprises. Currently, they star in the current Channel 10 series Real Stories, a satirical current affairs show hosted by Jennifer Adams. Unfortunatelly for the shows dedicated fans, Season One has now finished. The duo also write the show. Several notable guests have appeared on the show including Rove McManus, Tony Martin, Derryn Hinch and others. Highlights of the show are podcasted each day.
Hamish and Andy frequently appear on other comedy-orientated TV shows. Both have appeared numerous times on episodes of the ABC music quiz/comedy show Spicks and Specks, as well as guest appearances on Rove Live. The pair appeared together on an episode of the first series of Channel 10's Joker Poker - Andy would eventually go on to win the tournament. They also appeared on Australia's Brainiest Comedian. Hamish has also appeared quite a few times on the comedy show based on improvising scenarios, "Thank God You're Here."
Their number one rating radio show is executive produced by Sam Cavanagh.
Andy Lee was the winner of the 2006 Cleo magazine Bachelor of the Year 2006 which Hamish teasingly reffers to as a glamour quest ("It's not a glamour quest"). Before the Bachelor of the Year was won Hamish bet all of his holiday money ($860) on Andy for a win. The show then won $12,000 and bought a greyhound they named "Fred Basset (greyhound)" after the cartoon which Hamish reads on "Pants Off Friday"! Fred Basset is now on a national tour, racing in cities all over Australia. After a disappointing start in Melbourne (finished dead last), Fred has gone to on to win races in Brisbane and Adelaide. It has also been revealed that Fred has psychic powers after he predicted the outcome of both the AFL and NRL grand finals and the departure of Guy "Mutto" Mutton from popular relaity television series, Australian Idol by eating chicken McNuggets (his favourite snack) from variously labelled paper plates. Unfourtunately, Fred had to give up this hobby in favour of his racing as it was felt his excessive consumption of chicken McNuggets was harming his racing career. This decision was made by Fred in similar way to his psychic predictions.
The comedy duo were the star attraction at a lavish launch event held on 13 November to announce details of the 2007 FORMULA 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix.Both Hamish and Andy will be competing in the Celebrity Challenge race at the Albert Park race track in Melbourne from 15 - 18 March 2007.
