- 2 days ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:21I would guess from how you're walking that you are very excited yeah Thomas how are you feeling
00:26excited same are you okay on the stage yeah I'm doing fine just a bit nervous that's all we all
00:35get a bit
00:35nervous this is like the first ever person that made an animated show that's coming on the show
00:42and I got into so hype about it here he comes oh my god oh here we go
01:00I recognize a bunch of these faces as well hey guys good to see you I've seen your wonderful work
01:08oh thank you you guys are superstars wait so you watched the Hamish episode I did watch the
01:15Hamish episode oh no I'm actually a bit nervous now
01:25straight down the barrel of the camera okay everyone good okay in three
01:33tonight the assembly returns and graduates from past series are back prep day one prep day one
01:41hey guys mentored by Lee sales the students have graduated from the journalism foundations course
01:51and they're ready for the next step taking us on the road wow and behind the scenes this is really
01:59awesome to level up our media skills hey Abby we're about to record a song okay I'm ready to go
02:06on both
02:07sides of the camera square up to the camera some of Australia's most celebrated names are taking the
02:12hot seat no making me cry okay for interviews like you've never seen before what do you consider your
02:19most important decision um have you ever been arrested that is a good question was the most
02:24bogan thing you've ever done you've got this dress sorry you have proven that no questions are off the
02:48table hello pearly I'm going back to the assembly uh yeah I'll definitely need that they're excited it's
03:03coming back home let's do this doing the last series of the assembly was such a dream come true for
03:13me
03:14and so it's just beyond my wildest imagination to be doing it again
03:28wow I'm the first here since I was last on the assembly I have been so busy I got to
03:37interview Chris
03:38Hemsworth on the red carpet do an internship with ABC sport Ryan my name is Abby lovely to meet you
03:46the assembly has helped me a lot with all my confidence and interview skills pleasure to meet
03:54you and I got a job with the ABC social media team to be back here again it is very
04:00exciting
04:02Abbie Fletcher hey super excited to see my old troops again hello hello my name's Pat hello I'm meeting some
04:11of the series one folks who I've only seen on TV so far so it's a huge day hello let's
04:17do a proper nice to meet you Molly
04:19Sweetie Ivy eevi ți-v'v laughs
04:22hello I'm already here since I graduated from the assembly I did my internship at the ABC in Canberra today
04:30I am at the National Arboretum and I am going to go and talk to some people and find out
04:36what they do I feel like a journalist now so
04:40have you got any new plants Andrew yes I have got quite a few but if you any new succulents
04:45no not yet oh no
04:49Hello, everyone.
04:52Hello.
04:53Hey, guys.
04:54Nice to meet you, mate.
04:55I'm Finn.
04:56Sales.
04:56Season one, guys.
04:58Oh, well, great to finally meet you.
04:59Chael.
05:00James.
05:01Nice to meet you.
05:01Nice to meet you.
05:02Season two, season one.
05:03Hi.
05:04How are you guys?
05:05I'm very excited that the group's back together.
05:08We're back!
05:09And I'm very curious about who are the celebrities we're
05:12going to interview next.
05:13Ah, la, la, la.
05:22This time on the assembly, my role as mentor is continuing,
05:26but I know the students now all quite well, so I know with
05:30some of them that they can be pushed to reach their
05:33potential a little bit more.
05:34Where is Lee?
05:36Just like Lee.
05:37Lee.
05:38Lee.
05:39Lee.
05:39Lee.
05:40Lee.
05:40Lee.
05:40Lee.
05:40Lee.
05:41Lee.
05:42Lee.
05:42Lee.
05:42Lee.
05:42Lee.
05:43Lee.
05:44Lee.
05:46Lee.
05:55Lee.
05:56We like you, you like us like a mom to us.
05:58Oh, that's nice.
05:59Tell me about what you've all been doing
06:01since I last saw you, say Willow.
06:03I learned how to make a short film.
06:05Great.
06:06How about you, Thomas?
06:07I've started a podcast.
06:10Fantastic.
06:12Fletcher, how about you?
06:14Well, I did my interview with the Wiggles.
06:16I saw that, very, very good.
06:19What's the best part about being a Wiggle?
06:21The best thing about being a Wiggle,
06:22I think Fletcher is getting a chance
06:24to meet people like you.
06:26Did you enjoy it?
06:27Yes, I did.
06:28What were they like?
06:30Like, come straight out of TV.
06:34What about you, Bethany?
06:35I got to work at a festival, actually.
06:38I did that with Angus, and we got to invite people
06:41from the festival, like musicians,
06:43to come and sit in our morning show
06:44and ask some questions.
06:46Oh, how cool.
06:47So do we know what Angus is up to?
06:48Angus is working at Triple J.
06:50That's fantastic.
06:51That is so cool.
06:52Very exciting.
06:55I am so proud of all the incredible things
06:57that the students have done
06:58since they appeared on the assembly.
07:00But more than that, I'm just so thrilled
07:02at watching their confidence develop.
07:04Would you like me to tell you who our first guest
07:07is going to be for this?
07:08He is one half of Australia's most famous comedy duo.
07:13Oh!
07:14He is a quiz master.
07:16Oh!
07:17He is an internationally successful author.
07:19Do you want to have a stab at guessing who it is, Thomas?
07:21Andy Lee.
07:23It is Andy Lee.
07:24It is Andy Lee.
07:27Yes, Andy Lee!
07:28Good guess.
07:30What do you know about him, Thomas?
07:32The fact that he's done Do Not Open This Book.
07:34He's done The Hundred.
07:35We're back.
07:36A brand new season of The Hundred,
07:37only made possible by the people up there.
07:40He's from Hamish and Andy.
07:42He's done Gap Year.
07:43Hello there.
07:44You promised me you'll see me down there?
07:46Yeah, I'll see you down there for him.
07:58He's also been nominated for Gold Logies,
08:01and he has won a Logie with Hamish.
08:03Yeah, they're very, very popular.
08:05Well, we thought we'd give it a try.
08:06I would be blind, and Hamish would be deaf for 50 hours.
08:10Guys, I just want to take this opportunity
08:12to tell you both that Hamish wipes his bum from the front.
08:17He does.
08:18He does.
08:19Anastasia, you seem pretty excited about Andy.
08:21I was actually recently watching Do Not Watch The Show,
08:24and I watched the first episode,
08:25and I thought it was, like, really, really, really funny.
08:28How are you feeling, Wiz?
08:30No!
08:31Actually quite busy.
08:33This is the first person who made a cartoon show
08:36that's coming on the show.
08:38And I'm really excited to be talking about animation with him.
08:42I haven't got time for you today.
08:44Let's do it!
08:46Shall we split into our groups?
08:47Let's do it!
08:48Let's split into our groups.
08:49All right.
08:56All righty.
08:57Let's start pairing our questions for Andy Lee.
09:01I've got to get my notebook out.
09:02Do I have a question about how he got banned from the Olympic Village?
09:06Hi.
09:07Hello, Fabus Lee.
09:09Hi, Lee.
09:09I know you're all very excited about Andy.
09:12These questions I come up with are very cheeky.
09:15Oh, OK.
09:16I like it when you're cheeky.
09:17I have done just a tiny bit of research on it.
09:20Is that tiny?
09:23I researched that he's always checking in with his friends,
09:26and maybe he may have had a friend that committed suicide.
09:30Yeah.
09:30That's good thinking.
09:32Coming back to the assembly, I'm doing a lot more research.
09:35I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions.
09:39Yeah, that's a good question.
09:41Do we like Andy's comedy?
09:42Andy.
09:43I associate him and Hamish together.
09:48Yeah.
09:48What fascinates me about Andy is the whole comedy duo thing.
09:53I like Andy Lee a lot, but what I also find interesting about Andy Lee is he's often pushed
09:59behind Hamish and doesn't get the success that he probably deserves because he is a very
10:05funny guy.
10:06Andy is funny.
10:08He is.
10:09Like, he can stand on his own two feet.
10:11He seems to have a love for Australian architecture if he bought that mansion he's doing up as
10:15well.
10:16Yeah, I think it was built 1874.
10:18Oh, that's interesting.
10:20OK, Evie.
10:21I've written six.
10:22Good.
10:23I heard about Donalch's show, and I didn't know he made it.
10:26I was like, oh, that was him?
10:27So then I was like, OK, I need to watch it now, and I've watched it, and I was like,
10:30oh,
10:30my gosh.
10:31Did you like it?
10:32I loved it.
10:33One of my dreams is to be a voice actor, and I also very love drawing, so I'm very excited
10:40to meet Andy Lee.
10:42All right, Thomas.
10:43What do you reckon?
10:44OK.
10:45Are there any more do not open this books in the works?
10:48And I've already put some suggestions.
10:50Do not open this book, I beg you.
10:53Do not open this book, now go away.
10:56Listen to me.
10:57Do not open this book.
10:59Do not open this book or you'll be sorry.
11:02Do not be an idiot and do not open this book.
11:07I said for the last time, do not open this book.
11:11Can I just say they're amazing?
11:14They are so brilliant.
11:15I would publish every single one of those.
11:18Good work, gang.
11:19See you at the interview.
11:31Are you OK, Anastasia?
11:32Yeah, I'm doing fine.
11:33Just a bit nervous, that's all.
11:35We all get a bit nervous.
11:36I'm just hoping that Andy doesn't know me because right now I'm about to Andy flee.
11:40So do you know what I do sometimes before an interview if I'm getting a bit overwhelmed and a bit
11:44stressed?
11:44Just do some good deep breathing, OK?
11:46Yeah, I do that too.
11:47Let's do some box breathing, everyone together, OK?
11:49OK, so in for four.
11:53Hold for four.
11:57Out for four.
12:00See how that calms you down?
12:01Yeah, thank you.
12:05Hi.
12:06How are you, my friend?
12:07Brand to see you.
12:08Yeah, you too.
12:09Hello.
12:10Hello.
12:11Can I say I'm a big fan of your show?
12:14Thank you, even though you've been told not to watch them.
12:17Yes, even if I'm told not to watch.
12:21Hi there.
12:22I'm Andy.
12:23Ciao.
12:23Ciao, good to see you.
12:25We watched the show and the book.
12:27I didn't realise there's a bunch of rebels here.
12:30All right, Andrew, do you want to kick us off?
12:34Hello, Andy.
12:35I'm Andrew.
12:36Welcome.
12:37Hello, Andrew.
12:38This is a safe place.
12:40Everyone can relax and be themselves.
12:42There'll be no judgement.
12:44Please do what you need to join in.
12:46For example, fidget, move, take a break, ask you anything to help you to be included.
12:52Welcome, Andy.
12:53I feel very welcome.
12:54Thank you very much, Andrew.
12:55Savannah.
12:58Hello, Andy.
13:00Hey, Savannah.
13:00We are a collective of autistic journalism students and we are very happy to have you join us
13:06today.
13:07I'm very happy to be here.
13:09Aww.
13:10Aww.
13:11Our rules are no subject is out of bounds.
13:14Ugh, maybe I'm not happy to be here.
13:17No, I am.
13:18I am.
13:18Sorry, Savannah.
13:19Sorry.
13:19Okay.
13:20Our rules are no subject is out of bounds.
13:23No question is off the table and anything might happen.
13:28Welcome to the assembly.
13:30Thank you very much.
13:31Very funny.
13:32Our first question is going to be from Fletcher.
13:35You have a lot of luck with the ladies and now engaged.
13:38I am still looking for my first girlfriend.
13:41Do you remember your first girlfriend and can you pass on any tips on how to get girls
13:45that are much better looking than you?
13:51Yes, I do have experience in dating people that are far more attractive than me.
13:56Thank you for pointing that out.
14:00To be honest, be yourself Fletcher.
14:02The one thing that I find really interesting about dating and when I was single, people
14:06would be telling me what to do and don't text her this day but make sure you wait three
14:10days and do this.
14:11And I found that really hard and overwhelming.
14:16And so as soon as I went back to just being myself, if I liked someone, I'd ask them
14:21out.
14:22If they said no, that's okay.
14:24I didn't waste time on it.
14:25So I think being yourself, it's lovely when you find someone that's really compatible
14:32with you.
14:32And so that person will also come to you.
14:35Thank you, Andy.
14:36Thank you, Fletcher.
14:38Hey Andy, I'm Finn.
14:40Hey Finn.
14:40Were there any moments on the show, Hamish and Andy's Gap Here, when you were genuinely
14:45fearful of your life?
14:48Yeah.
14:49We went and jumped off a bridge in Bosnia.
14:51Oh, what?
14:52Oh, wow.
14:53We went in a place called Mostar and the bridge was 25 metres high.
14:58And I'm not particularly scared of heights.
15:01Hamish is.
15:01So I thought this would be, I organised this one.
15:04Oh, no, no, no.
15:04I jumped off first.
15:07It was extremely painful.
15:09I bruised every vertebrae in my back.
15:11Oh.
15:12But after I felt my pain, I was completely winded.
15:16And I got to the edge of the river and I told the cameraman, tell him not to jump.
15:21Tell him not to jump.
15:23Tell him not to jump.
15:24And the cameraman was kind of half not paying attention to me because Hamish had already
15:28stepped over the rail.
15:29Oh, boy.
15:30Yeah, that's the time I felt the most scared for my friend and thought, we shouldn't be
15:35doing this.
15:36So, yeah.
15:37Please, no one go and do that.
15:39We won't.
15:40We won't.
15:41I won't.
15:41And it's not like the books.
15:42It's like, do not do that and you still do it.
15:44Okay, this one's a do not do that.
15:46Oliver.
15:47Hi, Andy.
15:49You and Hamish started on the same track.
15:52Fast forward to now, Hamish has a wife, two kids and a calendar full of school pickups.
15:57You've got a fiance, no kids and a giant renovation project.
16:01Who's really winning at life?
16:02Me.
16:05Next question.
16:06No.
16:08It's an interesting thing to ask.
16:10Winning at life, it's completely down to the person and what makes them happy.
16:17I'm absolutely content with my fiance and trying to build a house and my dog.
16:24But we always measure success by sometimes money or happiness and all those type of things.
16:30It's tough when it comes to power or money because I've got a friend of mine who just
16:34works nine to five, labouring, clocks off, goes to the pub, hangs out with his friends,
16:38has the best time, doesn't worry about work.
16:40And I actually think he's the most successful because he's winning life because it's exactly
16:44what he wants to do and he feels really content.
16:46So if you're content with what you're doing, I think you're winning life.
16:50Thank you very much.
16:51Abby, your go.
16:53Why did it take you forever to propose to Beck?
16:57Oh, Abby.
16:58You've got to do your proper due diligence.
17:00You know, several references, background checks.
17:05I had several private investigators follow Beck for numerous years.
17:08To gather all the data to make sure she's the right one for me.
17:14The real reason is we were just having so much fun.
17:17I knew Beck was the one for me pretty early.
17:22But when you're having fun and you've got other things to do, it didn't quite feel like
17:26the right time.
17:28Certainly we've both grown together and individually.
17:32And I think making a big life decision, whether it's marriage or any of those things,
17:36it's really nice to do it on a really stable footing when both people in the relationship
17:41are feeling really comfortable and really sure of themselves.
17:45And Beck and I had got to that place.
17:46So that's where I felt like it was the right time to get married.
17:50Well, I do love a good wedding.
17:55Was there a time when opening up to a friend made a real difference in your life?
18:00Yeah.
18:01Yeah, yeah, yeah.
18:04I think we can carry things quite heavy at times.
18:08And this one, this came to me because I was carrying something quite heavy.
18:14And I did go and seek therapy.
18:16I sought counselling for that.
18:19And when I was younger, I was like, counselling's for wusses.
18:23What's all that about?
18:24I really didn't believe, yeah, that was not the way that I kind of viewed the world.
18:29And as I got older and realised that I was being troubled, I felt I really have to turn to
18:36someone.
18:37Talking to a therapist, they just said, you need to tell more people about this.
18:43And when people say that saying, a problem shared is a problem halved, there is a truth to that.
18:48I think it's really important that you can feel a sense of relief.
18:51But also, you can gather intel on how you might find a solution when you share these type of problems.
18:58So, yeah, that was really helpful.
19:00Well, I think it's really important to have friends.
19:03Absolutely.
19:05Yeah.
19:06Savannah?
19:06Have you ever been arrested or gone to jail?
19:11I haven't been arrested.
19:15I have been put in the back of a divvy van though.
19:18What's a divvy van?
19:19A divvy van is the police car that looks like a nice station wagon.
19:24But instead of the back of it where you put your surfboards and your dog sometimes, they put the criminals.
19:28So, it's not a nice place to be and it's a cage inside that.
19:31And I was involved in a pub fight when I was 19 years old.
19:38And the police came and they grabbed me and they put me in the back of a divvy van.
19:44So, I was scared.
19:45And I thought, am I going to end up in jail?
19:49Where does this go from here?
19:51But thankfully, after everything had calmed down, they let me out and I got to go home.
19:57Thank you, Andy.
19:59Willow.
20:02Mine is Willow.
20:03Hello, Willow.
20:04You lost your tooth during an ice game instant.
20:07You had to have a cow bone screwed into your teeth.
20:11Does that make you feel weird when you eat steak?
20:15Sorry!
20:18I've never thought about that.
20:20I might feel weird now and I'll be thinking of you every time I have a steak.
20:26The steaks are getting high.
20:32So, yes, I lost these two front teeth are fake.
20:36Yeah.
20:36Yeah.
20:37They came...
20:38I smashed them playing ice hockey with Hamish.
20:40So, I had to have them taken out and I've got a titanium tooth in.
20:45They screw it in.
20:46With cow bones.
20:46And then they had to rebuild my jaw line with cow bone.
20:50You're right, Willow.
20:50So, they used cow bone and they layer the bone in there and that moulds to my bone.
20:55But, I wondered whether I'm now half man, half cow.
20:59You know, I do sleep standing up and I get scared of lightning.
21:04So, yeah.
21:05But, no, the steak thing, I'll think of you every time now.
21:08Oh, no.
21:09I'm out of...
21:10Yeah.
21:12Thank you, Willow.
21:13Here.
21:14Take care of us.
21:15Alright.
21:15Hello, Andy.
21:16I'm Anastasia.
21:17Lovely to meet you.
21:19Alright.
21:19When we interviewed Hamish on this area, I asked him, what are the pros and cons about
21:26you?
21:27Oh.
21:28And he was actually really honest, so...
21:30Oh, no.
21:31Oh, yeah.
21:32You know.
21:33Yeah, you already know what's coming.
21:35So, let's go the opposite way now.
21:38What are the pros and cons about Hamish?
21:41Right.
21:42I'll start with the pros.
21:45Oh, he's so funny.
21:47But beyond funniness, he's an amazing friend.
21:51So, I always felt that we were going to be on great adventures.
21:54And when you catch up with Ham, you know something fun is going to happen.
21:58And they're the best type of friends for me, you know, when you can go and have fun.
22:02And, I'm not saying that every friend has to be this outrageously funny, adventurous
22:06person, but that's what draws me to Ham, and I just never get sick of him.
22:12Cons.
22:13Here's the list I prepared earlier.
22:18He knew this was coming, so he came prepared.
22:21Hamish, as he puts it himself, is fast and loose.
22:25So, he's very unpredictable at times, which makes him a lot of fun, but also, you can be
22:31left going, where is he?
22:33Is he coming?
22:35No one knows.
22:36I remember one day we were meant to be writing, because we were hosting an awards ceremony,
22:40and I'm sitting at the cafe, and ten minutes goes past, and I'm thinking, oh, yeah, that's
22:45normally about the time.
22:46He's late.
22:47He's always late.
22:4915 minutes.
22:49I was like, oh, better call him.
22:50Maybe he hasn't forgotten.
22:52And I called him, and he picks up the phone and just says, do you think we need a radar
22:57gun?
22:59And I said, what?
23:00What are you talking about?
23:01He said, I'm at the cricket shop.
23:03It could be fun for us to see how fast we're bowling.
23:08Now, neither of us really play cricket.
23:09But this is the impulse nature of Haim.
23:13He gets on the scent of something like an excitable dog, hound, and off he goes.
23:18And it normally follows fun and adventure.
23:20So, his con is also I've benefited from many, many times.
23:25Okay.
23:25My next question is, what is your advice to someone who wants to be a voice actor?
23:30Try different voices.
23:32Definitely.
23:33Like this one?
23:33Pikachu!
23:35Yes.
23:36But when you're doing it, always stand up.
23:40Alright.
23:40Unless the character's sitting.
23:43But make sure you express.
23:45Like, people always think that they're going to be in there and they're just talking to
23:47a microphone doing this.
23:48That's true.
23:49You have to go like crazy and be like, do not even watch this show!
23:53That's exactly right.
23:54You will sound much better if you're really expressive.
23:57So, if I'm doing whiz, I'm always sitting there, I always go long and round.
24:02Because that's how I try and get in there.
24:04Long and round.
24:04There you go.
24:05And then I'll go, no, you shouldn't be watching!
24:09And I, big with my arms.
24:11Wow, that's not entirely true.
24:14That's right.
24:15So, be really expressive.
24:17And if you're meant to be pulling something, like pulling a door, we have rubber bands in
24:21there, like big, and I go.
24:22Oh, yeah, yeah.
24:24And so you can make all those sounds.
24:26So, enjoy it when you get in there.
24:28Because you've got very good voices.
24:29Next question is, a whiz would normally lie to the audience in Do Not Open This Book
24:35and Do Not Watch This Show.
24:37What is the biggest lie you have told and does it affect you to this day?
24:43Oh.
24:46There are some lies I've told that I won't tell you today.
24:50And I know we're meant to share everything.
24:51Don't worry.
24:52But they generally involve, um, holding a secret for someone else.
25:00And someone that might have been in trouble.
25:03And there are, there are times that you can hold onto that for too long and then someone
25:08does the wrong thing.
25:09Wow.
25:10And so, if someone is in trouble, sorry, you don't always have to hold it on and pretend
25:19to everyone else that it's fine.
25:25Do you want some tissues or anything, Andy?
25:27Yeah, sorry, one second.
25:27Hang on.
25:28The tissue girl is back again!
25:29Oh, well...
25:30The tissue girl is back again!
25:31Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
25:36This one used?
25:37Um, no, it's not used.
25:38I'll get them second hand, eh?
25:43Hello, Andy, I'm Andrew.
25:44Your book is titled Don't Open This Book.
25:48Did it ever cross your mind that some kids, especially autistic kids, might literally follow
25:53instructions and never open it?
25:56I have seen some children too scared to open it.
26:00Yes.
26:00Or they're just very obedient.
26:02Um, and then there's normally a teacher there.
26:06Yes.
26:07Or, uh, or a parent that can help them and encourage them to take that risk.
26:10Oh, good.
26:11Uh, but yes, it's been a book that I didn't realise would resonate with people with autism
26:17as much as it has.
26:19Yes.
26:19Uh, I've had schools from all over the world reach out to me, autistic schools from all
26:23over the world reach out to me, saying that the book really resonates with the class.
26:28Oh, thank you, Andy.
26:30Dale, you're next.
26:31Hi, Andy.
26:32Hey, Dale.
26:33Good to meet you.
26:34You and Hamish actually snuck into the Olympic Village in 2012 and got banned for life,
26:38which is pretty legendary.
26:39If you could sneak into any global event today just for the jokes and banter, which event
26:44would it be and what would you do once inside?
26:46Ooh.
26:47Oh, wow.
26:50I would have loved to get up to the King's coronation.
26:55Worn an uppity suit, maybe a top hat.
26:58But the real question is, what would you do inside?
27:00I would have had to use Wiz's voice, I reckon, just to kind of fit in.
27:08I would have had a good time sniggering at people thinking they're more important than
27:12they are or something like that.
27:14Awesome.
27:15Thank you, Dale.
27:16Do you want to pass along to Mitch?
27:18Um, what were your original plans before becoming a comedian?
27:23I wanted to be an accountant.
27:25Really?
27:26Really?
27:27Yeah.
27:28Wow.
27:28So I love numbers.
27:30I love spreadsheets.
27:31Um, and I love schedules.
27:34Uh, there was one incident, Mitch, that made me change my mind.
27:36I was finishing year 12 and I was going to do some accounting work for the Good Guys Electrical
27:43Company.
27:44So I went and worked there and I spent three days cancelling cheques instead of presenting
27:50them accidentally and I cancelled $80 million worth of cheques.
27:54Oh, no.
27:55And back then, we only backed up our system once a week and it was for the whole company.
28:03So they found out about lunchtime on a Wednesday.
28:05Everyone at the company had to do all the work that they'd done for Monday, Tuesday and
28:09half of Wednesday again.
28:10And I didn't feel great about that.
28:13Oh.
28:13I quit.
28:14Oh, no.
28:15I went and had a summer, which I probably should have been doing anyway.
28:17And I went into university and changed it to marketing and brand management.
28:22And somehow you landed in comedy.
28:23That's right.
28:24Yeah.
28:25Alright.
28:25Um, your mum had a near, um, death experience.
28:29Do you think your mum is a fighter and are you proud of her?
28:32Um, yeah, my mum was given two weeks to live in 1996.
28:37And she's still here.
28:38So, that's annoying.
28:40Um, no.
28:42You're like, gosh.
28:44Uh, it was, it was, it was tough.
28:47It was a tough time.
28:47I was 15.
28:48Um, my mum forgot how to walk, how to talk, who we all were.
28:51Uh, so every day after school I'd reintroduce myself because she wouldn't even remember
28:55from the day before.
28:56You know, mum was the first to survive it in Australia.
28:59Cerebral vasculitis is the name of her.
29:01Please.
29:02Um, and it's like a mini, mini strokes.
29:05Um, you can have it in the body but mum had it in the brain.
29:08Oh.
29:09Um, when mum came back home, that was hard because she got a culture shock.
29:16I was, I'm a mummy's boy still but I was a mummy's boy and she'd be making my lunch
29:20before I go to school and all these things and we'd all become self-sufficient.
29:23Mm.
29:24And then mum was quite confused that we were just self-sufficient and then wanted to go
29:29back.
29:29So she didn't want to live with us for a little bit.
29:31I found that the hardest and I was angry with her, which it can be.
29:36We've gone, we've gone through all this and you don't even want to be with us.
29:39But realising that that must have been such a shock to the system.
29:42She doesn't really remember much of the four to six months she was in hospital.
29:45Mm.
29:45So to go in and then just kind of being transported six months into the future with no recollection
29:50of what's happening around you.
29:51Mm.
29:51That was the part that was tough for her.
29:53And I understand that now but I found that the hardest part of it at the time.
29:58So you reckon she's a fighter?
30:00She's absolutely a fighter.
30:02I'm proud of mum and proud that she's still going.
30:05That's great.
30:06Thanks Andy.
30:07Thanks Mitch.
30:08Right.
30:09Hi Andy, my name's Daniel or Dan.
30:11Hey Dan.
30:12I love huskies and I rescued a husky called Spike.
30:15My question is, do you like huskies?
30:18And if you don't, I hate you and bye, get out of here.
30:26Dan.
30:27Yeah.
30:27I've got bad news for you.
30:29I love my fluffy dog.
30:31But I've got a reason why.
30:33Don't tell me you don't love that fluffy snow dog.
30:35You're resembling a wolf.
30:37I've got a reason why Dan.
30:38So, because I'm a bit traumatised.
30:41Okay.
30:42Okay.
30:42Yeah.
30:42Hamish and I flew to a glacier in Alaska and we met all the husky snow dogs.
30:50Yeah.
30:51And then Hamish's surprise had bought me a suit entirely made out of meat.
30:56And he organised a race between me and 12 huskies.
31:04So, I was running through the snow as 12 huskies came for me.
31:07I didn't make it to the finish line and they all got me and ate me.
31:25What do you feel when you're boxed into being described to be the straight man of the two
31:29of us?
31:29Certainly, I had my own worries about, do I exist without Hamish?
31:36When we're doing something so strong together and I think the world of the way he performs,
31:42if I'm without him, what am I?
31:47Am I good enough?
31:48We encouraged each other from a very early, very early on to go and do things individually
31:54and you'd learn from that and you'd come back and tell the other person.
31:59But yeah, I'd be lying to say that I wasn't nervous when I went out on my own to do
32:08my own things.
32:10Because Hamish is a safety blanket.
32:13I have to work much harder when I'm not around him.
32:18Regretting the leather pants, every time I go to move it's...
32:21They look cool though, so don't regret them.
32:24Thank you so much.
32:25Taking advantage of being Cleo's Bachelor of the Year, would you ever use your looks to star in a movie?
32:32Oh, you know what?
32:34Thank you, but that was 20 years ago, so I think this has all changed a bit.
32:38But it's one of the main reasons I write and create all my own things,
32:44because I tried out for lots of things and no one put me anything.
32:48I found it hard to be picked.
32:50You know, I'd go for things and people thought there was a better option.
32:55And so instead of continually going down that path and just hoping that I might get picked for something,
33:01I just thought, OK, I'll just try and take destiny into my own hands here
33:04and I'll write things and put myself in them.
33:07And see how they float.
33:09Yeah, nice.
33:10Yeah.
33:10If they don't open up the doors for you, create your own house and doors.
33:12That's exactly right.
33:14So maybe I have to write my own film.
33:16That's awesome.
33:16Thank you so much.
33:17Thomas.
33:18So you spoke earlier about your mother's diagnosis, but not just that, there was also the possibility
33:28that you could have died when you were a baby after you were diagnosed with something.
33:34Epiglottitis.
33:35Epiglottitis.
33:36What was your reaction when you first learned about that?
33:40The story I heard from my dad, which was sad, was they were rushing to the hospital and I couldn't
33:51breathe at all.
33:52So I was going blue in the back and he got pulled over by the police.
33:57And dad said to the officer, hey, look, my son's dying, thinking that the policeman might help and give us
34:04away.
34:06And the policeman said, well, he's not dead yet.
34:08And went on to write up a ticket.
34:11And so I loved just, you know, I'm all for our service people and the police and so on.
34:16But this was a singular moment where I was like, that's a shame that that happened.
34:19And that was more troubling to think about.
34:24And then, I mean, I was, I think one, but the other sad part of it was a lady up
34:31the road in the street we grew up.
34:32But her kid didn't make it, had the same thing and didn't make it.
34:36So mum found it really difficult to be walking the pram with me and for a long time just walked
34:43down the street instead of up.
34:44So it's, it's, it's sad that these little things can happen.
34:47I was very lucky, but also being very mindful that lots of people aren't.
34:51I see.
34:55All right.
34:56Hello, Andy.
34:57I'm Pat.
34:57Nice to, nice to be here.
34:59Nice to be here.
35:01Now, I've read a lot about your impressive Ravenswood mansion.
35:04But as a bird enthusiast, I'm curious to know, what do you think of the ravens that live around Ravenswood?
35:10Oh, I see the ravens.
35:12I'm fond of the ravens.
35:13Mmm.
35:13Not as fond of the pigeons.
35:15They keep coming in and pooing all over the place.
35:16Yes.
35:17So I need to work that out.
35:18We're working with regeneration environmentalists to get the right plants in.
35:23And we're seeing birds already come back, which is incredible.
35:26So, um, hopefully the place is less about the house and more about the environment once
35:33we all settle in there.
35:34That's great.
35:35And I'm glad you like the ravens because most Australians don't.
35:38Yeah.
35:38You're like probably the 2% that do.
35:40No, I like a raven.
35:41Yes.
35:43Pat, will you pass along to Evie?
35:44Yes.
35:45Uh, cartoons have had a huge impact on me.
35:54They are like oxygen.
35:57Since you have a cartoon show now, I was wondering, what are your favourite cartoons
36:02and did any of them have an influence on you?
36:06Oh.
36:07Yes.
36:08Great question.
36:09I mean, I loved The Simpsons growing up.
36:12Oh, good classics.
36:13They're classic.
36:14Um, Roger Ramjet and Mighty Mouse when I was a lot littler.
36:18Oh, wow.
36:19Um, you know, uh, all, like, Walt Disney, um, The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
36:25There's, my favourite cartoon of all time was Robin Hood.
36:31Have you seen the one with all the, with all the, where the fox plays Robin Hood?
36:35Yeah, yeah, I've seen that.
36:36That was my favourite of all time.
36:39I used to watch it over and over and over again.
36:41I also did something for you.
36:44Oh, wow.
36:46Oh, listen, Douglas.
36:47Because I, um, I, um, recently watched Do Not Watch Your Show and it is literally everything
36:52I've loved about cartoons.
36:54Just the, the wit and the writing and the animation and just the voice acting.
36:59Just, I love everything about it and I really wanted, and I really want to be in the industry.
37:03So I just wanted to show my love for it.
37:06Oh, Evie.
37:07That's fantastic.
37:08Well, we operate out of Melbourne, but if you're ever down there, please reach out.
37:12Yeah.
37:13And I'll bring you into the studio.
37:15And like what you've done here, everything is hand drawn.
37:21So that's why it takes so long.
37:23I didn't realise this.
37:24I'm in heaven walking amongst them and seeing what they're doing.
37:27So you have to come and visit.
37:29Thanks, Evie.
37:31Silas.
37:32Is there a question you've always wanted to ask somebody but never had the chance?
37:37Oh.
37:38Yeah, generally those ones come to like, I wish I'd asked my grandparents more things.
37:45That's the one that sits with me.
37:46You kind of end up being babysat by them and they just spoil you and it's all about you,
37:51which is great.
37:52That's what being a grandparent is about.
37:54But when I look back, I would have loved to have just showed an interest in them rather
37:58of being all about me.
38:00I do that with my parents now, just spend as much time in asking them the questions.
38:05Yeah. Thank you.
38:06Thanks, Silas.
38:08James.
38:09Hi, Andy.
38:09Hey, James.
38:10What is one trait you admire in others?
38:13Um, I really admire people's courage.
38:16And that's not when we talk about being in the front of an army, you know, running into
38:21battle with a sword.
38:22There's so many courageous things you can do.
38:24And I think the main one for me is when people stand up for what they believe in.
38:30Um, even when, and it could just be a singular moment where someone's saying something that's
38:36not quite right.
38:36I do admire when people call that behaviour out in a pleasant way, not combative.
38:41And, and just are really true to their beliefs.
38:44I think that's, that takes courage.
38:46Well, Andy, it was very courageous you coming on the show today.
38:49So, I admire the gusto.
38:52And gusto to you.
38:55Okay, okay.
38:57Andy, thank you so much for taking your time and coming on the show.
39:02How ever.
39:03Oh, gosh.
39:04Yeah, before you get your butt off the seat.
39:07We have a little bit of a challenge for you.
39:10We're gonna do a try not to react challenge right here, right now.
39:15No laughing, no giggling, and no smiling.
39:20I'm gonna find this so hard.
39:21If you lose, you get nothing.
39:24If you win, you also get nothing.
39:28I didn't know the stakes would be this high.
39:32James is gonna be going first.
39:34Does Andy need his eyes shut or is he good?
39:35Uh, yeah, close your eyes, Andy.
39:37Okay, open.
39:40Andy Lee, I don't know him.
39:42I've never met him, but I hear he's not very talented.
39:45You know, Hamish won all the gold.
39:47I love the gold.
39:48But Andy, you know, I'm gonna check Fort Knox.
39:51He's no talent, but I don't know him.
39:55So far, that is zero to Andy and one to the students of the assembly.
40:01Okay.
40:01Crikey, guys.
40:03Usually I'm out in the wild and I find live critters to show you,
40:06but today, I've actually found a fossil.
40:09Now, this is...
40:12And you can actually see here and tell his age by these lines
40:16in the fossil weaves.
40:19Well done.
40:21Oh, gosh.
40:23Okay, now, I think it's gonna get harder for you guys
40:25as it goes through,
40:26because now I'm understanding what I need to do.
40:29Alright.
40:46Alright, I got wrong about it being harder.
40:49What birds do you think those were?
40:51Oh, they were birds?
40:52Sheep is none that I want to meet.
40:54No!
40:56Baby Channel Bill Cuckoo.
40:58Okay.
40:58Baby Galar.
40:59Adult Australian Raven.
41:01Ah, yes.
41:02I had it pitched as more of a teenage raven.
41:04Yeah, well done.
41:05They're pretty whiny, even when they're grown up.
41:09Andy, close your eyes.
41:11Savannah's up next.
41:13Oh, my God!
41:14Oh, my God!
41:18Please stand up for me.
41:20Oh, my God!
41:30You have been asked to open your eyes now, Andy.
41:38Do you want a carrot?
41:48I absolutely loved it.
41:49Yay!
41:50Thanks, guys.
41:50Well done.
41:54Well done, Thomas.
41:56It was fantastic.
41:57So, yeah, if you do get down to Melbourne,
41:59come and visit, eh?
42:00Oh, yes.
42:01Yeah, awesome.
42:03You are hilarious.
42:04You are so great.
42:06Oh, thank you.
42:08It was one of the best days I've ever had in my life.
42:12Oh, yes.
42:13You sit right next to me.
42:15Just, just here.
42:16No, no, no.
42:16Right there.
42:17Right there.
42:17Next to me.
42:18Right there.
42:19Right there, Andy.
42:20Right there.
42:21Look at the camera.
42:23The Assembly!
42:24The Assembly!
42:28Thank you, Andy.
42:29I had a great time interviewing you.
42:31I had a great time.
42:32You guys are very good at interviewing.
42:33Well done.
42:34Our next guest is a very well-known Australian actor and producer.
42:38It is Claudia Carvin.
42:39Oh my God, she's here.
42:43Hello.
42:45Hello.
42:45How has growing up around nightclubs shaped your opinion on recreational drug use?
42:50Oh no, that's a really hard one.
42:52I heard you don't like kissing while acting, but you still do it so many times.
42:58Do you see a space for yourself in politics?
43:00Lee's house has put me off being a politician.
43:03He he he.
43:04He he he.
43:04He he he.
43:04He he he.