Im sure some people here will be ecstatic!
Comics Hamish and Andy back on the box
August 14, 2006 - 5:14PM
Comic duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee's television careers came to a crashing halt when their program was axed two years ago.
Their sketch comedy program, Hamish and Andy, carried on the Seven Network, lasted just six episodes after failing to pull in the viewers.
The pair has since teamed up with Rove McManus' production company, Roving Enterprises, to produce Real Stories.
And they hope the greater degree of control they'll have this time round will ensure the new project will enjoy a longer, happier life.
"I know why (Hamish and Andy didn't last) because of ratings, that's a generally understood rule in this business," said 24-year-old Blake.
"As much fun as we had with Hamish and Andy we didn't have much say over what happened and how it went forward and we were just holding on by the skin of our teeth."
Ahead of its August 22 premiere on Network Ten, Blake says Real Stories is on their terms and rules.
"This has been a lot more fun because we get to manage it," said Blake.
Real Stories is a comedic public affairs program that promises to "tackle the big issues that are affecting our communities".
The stories aren't real, but carry a comic twist.
Four stories feature during each week's half-hour episode, anchored by experienced television journalist Jennifer Adams.
"We aren't trying to make a statement of what is and isn't on current affairs programs," said Blake.
"The idea to present as current affairs came purely because we wanted to use it as a vehicle to have four different stories a night.
"It is weird comedy, but there are no obvious parodies of anyone in society and it's not sketch or pop culture satire. It's just bizarre really."
Blake and Lee act, direct, produce, film and write the series with the input of Ryan Shelton and Tim Bartley.
Together, they run production company Radio Karate.
Blake said he felt pressure for the show to succeed.
"We do everything, so there are reservations and you are nervous because if it doesn't work there are no scapegoats to blame," Blake said.
"But hopefully it goes well, I don't think it's too weird that people won't get it."
Blake has also appeared on Ten's Australia's Brainiest Comedian and hugely successful comedy Thank God You're Here.
- Real Stories premieres on August 22 at 9pm (AEST) on Network Ten.
© 2006 AAP
are they not cool ?
dunno, wait for the new program and find out
wasn't there a big thread about em on ye olde skool m&n?
no idea.
i think hamish is looking pretty spunky on spicks and specks these days though
i didn't mind their show on ch 7. i mainly liked the chris lilley segments though.
reckon this show could work, its a interesting enough twist on things to make it work, almost 4 mini sitcoms a week, jokes shouldn't get too old.
i also liked the chris lilley skits.
are they not cool ?
No, just not funny.
like you ?
Even I'm funnier than them.
hmmm, hi !
I guess if this sucks, then they have to take 100% of the blame.
Yes, if Frontline-lite fails there's no-one else to blame this time.
These guys have had a few bites at the cherry already, haven't they?
These guys are so fucking shit that it comes as no suprised that the comedy industry shit magnet "Rove Enterprises" has picked them up. This is the company that brought you "Skithouse" and bolstered the career of comedic rejects like Peter Hellier and Corine Grant. This will be trully crap, no doubt and will again flop after one season. I can hear all the predictable formulated crap jokes being mustered up already. They seem like classic private school boys with rich influential daddies that probably need to get out there and learn comedy a little before they have a crack at TV.
They seem like classic private school boys with rich influential daddies that probably need to get out there and learn comedy a little before they have a crack at TV.
Yes, a similar background can be see by some users on this site....
comedy industry shit magnet "Rove Enterprises"
That is all.
"Yes, a similar background can be see by some users on this site."
Theres plenty of talentless rich kids here, but thank fuck none of them are on TV and subjecting the entire nation to their audio visiual masterbationery techniques.
I think Rove is going to keep throwing his little shitpuppets up on the screen until they stick.
Surely H&A's pisspoor effort at the ARIAs last year should have been enough to convince people they're not for TV - but no, here we go again with another do-over for the richkids.
indeed.
hahaha yes I think thats the case Butler. H&A are cringworthy comedy at its finest, maybe they should team up with "Scarey little weird Guys" or "Tripod" to add some of that oh so good musical comedy element into their show
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has this been axed yet?
i was not topless at work. we were doing something on a patient and hamish was standing n the doorway of the surgery with no top on. i was so excited i dropped things. HOT
Hamish Blake now a guest on UK version as Thank God You're Here
Who is he?
OK, did a search
...Blake has appeared in nine episodes of improvisational comedy show Thank God You're Here, winning twice and receiving an honourable mention and a dishonourable mention...
Interesting
He was introduced as someone who'd only ever done radio
Instead he's an experience ringer who will succeed if known UK 'personalities' fail...
Well, he's only ever been successful on radio, so it's half true.
Who are these irritating idiots (really overplaying the ocker card guys) and how did they get this cushy BBC 6Music gig (instead of me)?
Overplaying? They sound ocker as fuck all the time, that's for sure.
Are they going to pop up on ther box again next year? Stick to radio guys, you don't have what it takes to carry a whole TV show.
Well, that was quite cool...
The words cool and hamish and andy do not belong in the same sentence together.
I'm waiting for the day when the collective response is: no one gives a shit.
These two talentless turds need to be flushed like most other Australian comedians/radio-television quiz show personalities.
gonna go kill myself after watching them
Not funny.
who?
I just read Mathieson's article on The Age website. Haven't seen the show but just knowing that Matheson has watched it makes me feel sorry for him. Poor fella. I'm offering you a cyber hug for having to sit through that shit.
I have no recollection of either posting in this thread or having watched Real Stories. Thanks alcohol!
Caught 5 minutes of this last night for some unknown reason. Some pretty unfunny shit. If the comedy was any more safe it would be wearing a franga. It never ceases to amaze me how mediocrity in this world is rewarded with million dollar contracts.
I felt the same way watching Spicks and Specks last night.
Well, we live in a country where Shaun Micallef has to resort to hosting a game show while Marieke Hardy gets to make Laid. I gave up hope a long time ago when it comes to Australian TV utilizing it's better talents.