Hamish & Andy

Hamish & Andy are an Australian comedy duo, consisting of Hamish Blake and Andy Lee. The name "Hamish & Andy", occasionally written with the word 'and' in lieu of the ampersand, has also been used as the name of a television show and a radio program starring the duo.

Early days

The two met at Dubbo High School but became friends while studying commerce at the University of Melbourne, and entered comedy competitions. The pair spent countless hours presenting numerous programs on the Melbourne youth radio station - the Student Youth Network. They developed a sketch show called "Radio Karate" for community television station Channel 31, which caught the attention of Seven Network boss Ian Johnson.

Media

even Network

The duo then presented "The Hamish And Andy Show" which aired on the Seven Network in March 2005. It mixed casual talk and sketch comedy. It featured a number of actors from the sketch show Big Bite, and continued many of its recurring sketches. The two became known as Hamish & Andy, and have since been referred to as such in all their appearances together. Hamish & Andy began work with the Seven Network on the day Lee finished his last exam at Melbourne Uni. Unfortunately the show was a ratings disaster, with reviewers acknowledging their talent but describing the show as "poorly structured". [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/culture/hamish-amp-andy/2007/04/02/1175366136794.html?page=4 The Age: Hamish & Andy] ] As a result, the show was axed after only two weeks.

They soon developed a relationship with Rove McManus, and began working with his production company, Roving Enterprises.

Fox FM

Hamish & Andy were offered an unpaid late-night shift on radio station Fox FM. 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 to 6pm. Titled "The Hamish & Andy Show", this show is simultaneously broadcast by other Today Network radio stations in Perth (92.9), Adelaide (SAFM), Sydney (2Day FM), Brisbane (B105), Newcastle (NXFM) and Canberra (104.7) and is replayed in a highlights package on Saturdays from 7 to 9am.

Ten Network

They initially made guest appearances on "Rove Live". They then starred and wrote for the mock Channel Ten series "Real Stories", a satirical current affairs show hosted by Jennifer Adams. The first season finished on October 10, 2006 with repeats of these starting on June 3, 2007 on Sundays after Rove. Several notable guests have appeared on the show including Rove McManus, Tony Martin, Nicholas Bell, Derryn Hinch, Alan Brough, Stephen Curry and Jeremy Kewley.

In 2007 they commenced a regular segment on "Rove", appearing every second week. The pair also appeared together on an episode of the first series of Channel 10's "Joker Poker". Lee would eventually go on to win the tournament. They also appeared on "Australia's Brainiest Comedian". Blake has appeared many times on the improvisational comedy show "Thank God You're Here", including an appearance on the British version.

The ABC's Spicks & Specks

Both have appeared numerous times on episodes of the ABC music quiz and comedy show "Spicks and Specks". Blake currently holds the record for most appearances at 33.

Other appearances

They both competed in the Celebrity Challenge race at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park from 15-March 18, 2007. Andy finished in sixth position and Hamish finished in thirteenth. Due to a bet made previously over who would fare better, Andy forced Hamish to wear a racing helmet that was padlocked onto his head for an indefinite amount of time. At the end of the week, Hamish was allowed to take off the helmet, at the expense of not reading his Fred Basset segment, which Andy frequently derides as rubbish.

Hamish & Andy were 'backstage hosts' at the Logie Awards in 2007 and 2008. They interviewed winners after they left the main stage. On 7 July, 2007 they presented the Australian leg of Live Earth.

They have also participated in an episode of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, a reality game show hosted by Rove McManus to raise money for the Heart Foundation.

Other media

Andy Lee was named Cleo Bachelor of the Year in 2006.

Notable activities

Fred Basset

As part of their radio show, Hamish had previously placed an $860 bet on Andy winning Cleo Bachelor of the Year, which he called a 'glamour-quest'. As a result, Hamish won over $12,000, which he put towards buying a greyhound for the radio show. The greyhound is named 'Fred Basset' after one of Hamish's segments on the show, much to the disdain of Andy.

Caravan of Courage

In late 2007 Hamish and Andy hired a caravan and embarked on the 'Caravan Of Courage'. So significant was the trip that the letter O at the start of 'Of' was a capital. The boys planned a road trip from the West Coast to the Far East Coast of Australia. They travelled 4000 kilometres in 10 days, stopping to broadcast the show from several rural towns and communities.On October 6, 2008 it was suggested by a listener that they do Caravan Of Courage : 2. The boys are now looking at embarking on another cross-country adventure.

Ghosting

A sport invented by Hamish and Andy, the object of the game is to follow and invade someone's personal space.

The People's Chip

In May 2008, Hamish & Andy embarked on a quest to invent a new flavour of potato chip. After much consideration, they settled on gravy as the new flavour.

EJ Whitten Legend Match

In 2008, Hamish & Andy both played in the E. J. Whitten Legends Game, an annual Australian rules football game in honor of the late great Ted Whitten. The annual event is to raise funds and awareness for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Andy played for the Victorian team, and Hamish played for the All Stars. They both contributed great humour to the match, and each of the duo kicked a well deserved goal. The match was a great success with the highest attendance in the match's thirteen year history.

Neighbours

Hamish & Andy appeared on the August 27, 2008 episode of Australian drama "Neighbours", playing fictional radio DJs Fred and Big Tommo. Hamish & Andy allowed radio listeners to call in and name their Neighbours characters, with one caller naming Hamish "Fred" after Fred Basset, and another caller named Andy "Big Tommo" after himself. Hamish & Andy starred in the episode alongside Caitlin Stasey (who played Rachel Kinski) and Margot Robbie (playing Donna Freedman). The appearance involved Fred and Big Tommo promoting Rachel and Donna's friend Ty Harper's (Dean Geyer) band on the radio, with Fred and Big Tommo allowing Rachel and Donna to go on the air to talk about their current situation with Ty.

Beijing 2008

Recently Hamish and Andy traveled to Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, during which they hosted their radio show in the 'Forbidden Studio'.

References

External links

* [http://www.hamishandandy.com.au/ Hamish & Andy official site]
* [http://www.realstories.com.au/ Real Stories]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=91902928 Hamish and Andy Myspace]