How a failed science degree led to Australian comedy royalty
In short: In 1999, Hamish Blake was a student of science and commerce, fascinated by the mechanics of artificial intelligence. But a chance encounter with Andy Lee changed everything, causing his academic ambitions to derail and launching one of Australia's most successful comedy partnerships.
The partnership between Hamish Blake and Andy Lee began in the early 2000s, following a breakout performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2003. Their early work was rooted in community and student media, including the program Radio Karate for RMITV, which earned an Antenna Award in February 2004. While they quickly moved to national television on the Seven Network in 2005, their first major venture, The Hamish and Andy Show, was cancelled after just two weeks due to poor execution and a lack of creative control.
Undeterred, the duo found success through more autonomous projects like the mockumentary The Greystone 2800 and the mock current affairs show Real Stories. By 2006, they transitioned to the Today Network with their drive-time radio show, which achieved massive popularity. By the end of 2006, they had nearly one million listeners in Melbourne, and by 2008, their show held the number one rating in four of Australia's five major capital cities.
Blake's individual career has been equally decorated, marked by two Gold Logie Awards for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, won in 2012 and 2022. Beyond comedy, his versatility has seen him host Lego Masters Australia, launch podcasts like How Other Dads Dad, and even win a bodybuilding title, Mr. New York State 2011, after being the only contestant in the heavyweight division weighing over 200 pounds. In 2024, his contributions to the arts and community were formally recognized with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
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