Aussie Entertainment Legend
Hamish Blake is an iconic Aussie comedian, actor and author living in Melbourne. Since 2003, him and his mate Andy Lee have been a part of the iconic comedic duo Hamish and Andy.
From drive-time radio to performing on live TV, Hamish has been on TV screens all across Australia and the world.
As a fan of classic British comedy such as Monty Python and Blackadder, Hamish worshiped comedy. He dropped out of University from his Science/Commerce double degree when he met Andy Lee and the two ran off into the sunset together and haven't looked back since.
Hamish on Instagram:
@hamishblakeshotz
Hamish & Andy Website:
www.hamishandandy.com
Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.
“There's probably two trends that have increased over the last 100 years. It's be greedy and think short term.”
“there's no vanity in comedy.”
“happiness is— it's an internal state.”
“those were the guys— the optimists were the guys that I knew were gonna— would die.”
“Every single person in the world has a podcast now, so they've become like face masks.”
“If I want, like, you know, there's probably $8 of value in these sauces here.”
“I feel like I'm talking from the '80s and you guys are talking to me from like the Star Trek Enterprise.”
“No one's listening. No one's, no matter how great you are, even Jerry Seinfeld, probably by like hour 3, he's not gonna come up with anything profound.”
How do you balance changing personal priorities within a long-term creative partnership or business?
Identify your core shared priorities (e.g., making good work and preserving the friendship), and when evolving personal needs start to conflict with those priorities, consciously dial back one element to protect the other rather than assuming there's a fixed playbook.
How should you respond when your partner vents about something frustrating?
Don't try to immediately reframe their complaint positively or solve it; simply acknowledge with 'I know' and let them feel heard before trying to lighten the mood later.
How do you handle unwanted PR gifts or freebies as a public figure?
Get taken off PR mailing lists if possible, and when gifts arrive unsolicited, be honest that you don't need or want them and suggest donating to charity rather than accepting out of obligation; if you want something, just buy it yourself.
When should you start a countdown clock during a long broadcast or event?
Don't start announcing 'hours to go' until more than half of the total time has elapsed, otherwise it signals you don't want to be there, similar to how being ranked just outside the top on some lists looks worse than not mentioning rank at all.
How can you switch off from work and be present at home?
Physically remove your phone to another room/shelf; noticing how many times you reach for it shows how much it was pulling your attention, and removing it helps you properly disconnect and let your subconscious work.
How do you decide when to quit a long-running project versus keep going?
Don't treat it as an all-or-nothing choice; you almost always have time to pursue a new passion alongside existing commitments. People often blame other commitments as an excuse for fear, when really one solid hour of focused work can set up a new idea for years.
Hamish describes watching his niece become absorbed in toy unboxing videos and reflects on how toy companies' old catalogue-based marketing created anticipation that unboxing videos now short-circuit by giving kids instant visual gratification.
Hamish retells an account of a man held for years by the Viet Cong who said the most 'optimistic' prisoners who pinned hope to a specific release date were the ones who broke down and died, while survival came from a general faith without a fixed timeline — a lens Hamish applies to the unresolved uncertainty of COVID lockdowns.
Hamish describes an early-career radio stunt on the Fox Breakfast Show where he wore an earpiece and a backpack rigged with cables so producers could feed him lines to say in public, including going into a lingerie store.
Hamish recounts running into an old boxing trainer from a now-closed Richmond gym who insisted on giving him and Zoe branded merch jumpers despite Hamish repeatedly declining, illustrating the awkwardness of unsolicited gifting.
Hamish and Andy filmed a promo for their favourite Carlton pizza place, Capitano, who offered them free pizza in return; Hamish found eating for free repeatedly made him feel like he was taking advantage, so he eventually called the owner to arrange paying for pizzas for a birthday party instead.
Hamish and Andy once attempted to eat every item on the McDonald's menu board during their radio show. After arguing over which items counted as 'classic and original,' a late-arriving chicken-and-cheese burger came back cold; one bite made Hamish violently ill for six hours, forcing them to postpone the challenge to the following Monday.
Drawn from the episode transcripts.
Hamish describes happiness as an internal, ongoing state built through things like being a good partner, friend and community member, whereas fun is an action or way to spend time—something you can have without necessarily being happy, and vice versa.
From episode 884→Hamish recounts a prisoner held for years by the Viet Cong explaining that the most optimistic prisoners, who fixed on a specific release date like Christmas, were the ones who broke down and died when that date passed; survival came from a general faith that things would eventually improve rather than pinning hope to a fixed outcome.
From episode 884→Hamish Blake advised not starting a countdown until more than half the total time has elapsed, comparing it to rankings where being near the top matters more than early countdowns, otherwise it signals you don't want to be there.
From episode 715→He got violently sick after eating one bite of a cold, late-arriving chicken-and-cheese burger, forcing them to postpone the full board-eating attempt to the following Monday.
From episode 622→He learned to value team autonomy and trust other experts' decisions, noting multiple times his strong instinct that something was wrong on the show turned out to be incorrect, reinforcing the value of not being a sole 'auteur.'
From episode 622→He deliberately avoids being busy, preferring short, intense projects followed by long breaks, and tries to live in the present rather than delaying enjoyment for a future reward.
From episode 622→U2's touring team contacted Hamish & Andy's producer offering to appear on their last drive radio show if it could be kept a genuine surprise. They were listed on the run sheet under a fake band name (Last Chance), played two songs after the hosts performed a song mocking them for apparently not showing up, and privately asked to meet John Farnham backstage to show respect to him on the night.
From episode 100→After years of back-to-back radio and TV contracts where he'd leapfrog from one project to the next, Blake chose not to immediately lock in a new project. He wanted to create a deliberate 'void' to figure out what's next and spend uninterrupted time with his young children rather than always promising he'd slow down 'next year'.
From episode 100→Mentioned on 67 episodes Hamishwasn’t on.
Josh mentions catching up with Hamish Blake who had emceed McDonald's annual event where Josh's post was shown.
Josh mentions him as someone known for sitting down on the toilet rather than squatting.
Guest on the previous day's Screenplay Sunday episode, referenced throughout this episode's recap.
Andy Lee's comedy partner, referenced throughout regarding their show history, golf, and family life.
Discussed as someone who'd excel on the SAS Australia show and who was stung by a bullet ant, as mentioned on Joe Rogan's podcast.
Every episode featuring Hamish Blake on The Daily Talk Show.
Hamish Blake joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 884 (15 October 2020) — "Hamish Blake Co-Hosts The Podcast". Hamish Blake joins us as a co-host of the podcast! We chat about being an Australian Tourism Ambassador, The Remembering Project and going back into the archives of Hamish & Andy, checking in with your team, empathy in business, fun and fulfilment, looking forward and being optimistic, and podcas...
Hamish Blake joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 715 (4 May 2020) — "Pete Murray & Hamish Blake - 24 Hour Live Stream". Pete Murray is an icon of Australian music who has had 3 albums reach number 1 on the ARIA charts and was generous enough to play a live acoustic version of his song "Opportunity" to a few Gronks on the Internet! This was definitely a highlight of the 24 Hour Live Stream and a moment we'll remem...
Hamish Blake joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 622 (27 February 2020) — "Hamish Blake On Parenting & Listening To Your Internal Dialogue". Hamish Blake is back on the show! We chat about some of the learnings from being a parent, legacy and building stories, working in teams, and listening to your internal dialogue.
Hamish Blake joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 100 (3 June 2018) — "Hamish Blake on life". Episode 100 of The Daily Talk Show! This is massive for us. We celebrate with our mate and legend of Australian entertainment, Hamish Blake. We cover a lot of ground. Too many things to put in the show notes, sorry!