It’s hard to ever imagine someone like Hamish Blake not having a laugh or seeing the lighter side of life.
But during these tough times, even the upbeat funnyman is strangely sombre when TV WEEK catches up with him and asks, “How are you?”
“Well, I have to say ‘good’, because a lot of people are doing it very tough,” Hamish says.
“We’re like everyone else – we’re adapting; we’re doing what we can to adjust to these new conditions,” he says of he and wife Zoë Foster Blake, 39, and their two children Sonny, five, and two-year-old Rudy, two.
However, with the second season of LEGO Masters airing, it seems the TV gods are sending some joy to families around the country.
Like everyone, Hamish Blake and his family are adapting to the new normal.
(Image: Supplied)“Hopefully, this can be a great distraction,” Hamish, 38, says.
“All we’re seeing is wall-to-wall news, so I think, for everyone’s sanity, we need this show right now.”
After the runaway success of the show’s debut season in 2019, it’s hard to imagine Hamish ever doubted its connection with the audience.
“Until the first episode aired last year, we still had a question mark over it, thinking, ‘Is this even going to work as a show?'” Hamish says.
Clearly the answer was a resounding yes, with millions tuning in to watch Hamish and his co-host, Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught, put contestants through their paces each week with intricate LEGO masterpieces to build.
“The most heart-warming thing was people coming up to me to say the show was the only one they’d watch as a family,” Hamish says.
“It was a really nice bit of feedback, because it’s lovely to think you could be that for a family.”
Millions tuned in to watch Hamish and his co-host, Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught.
(Image: Nine Network)While many reality shows tend to introduce drama or conflict to keep viewers engaged, Hamish loves that LEGO Masters doesn’t need to. The fun and pressure is already present.
“It’s a game, and if you don’t build the thing in an allocated time, you fail the game – simple as that,” he says.
“I don’t need to be yelling at them, reminding people they can win $100,000. They know the stakes and can see the clock. They just love building, and watching them do it is infectious.”
Hamish knows that families across the nation are going to be at home for a while, so he wants to impart advice to parents looking to keep the kids entertained with LEGO.
“Just between us parents, I’ve found that if I get a cardboard box, make my own brick pit and ask the kids to separate each bit of LEGO into it, it’s a massive time-waster,” Hamish says with a laugh. “You can burn hours of time getting them to sort LEGO.”
“I think, for everyone’s sanity, we need this show right now.”
(Image: Nine Network)While being the host of LEGO Masters does win Hamish some “cool dad” points with his children, he admits it’s nowhere near the street cred he garnered when he and Zoë voiced two new characters on the ABC’s hit animated series Bluey.
The couple voice the Russells, the parents of can’t-sit-still youngster Jack. Dad is a Labrador who works at Hammerbarn, and Mum is a poodle who works as a checkout chick.
“Bluey got me way more credit,” Hamish declares. “I could win five Academy Awards and that still wouldn’t impress my kids as much.”
WATCH BELOW: Hamish and Sonny Blake’s most adorable father-son moments. Post continues after video…
Being asked to take part in the TV WEEK Logie Award-winning series was a thrill.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Hamish explains.
“Being a massive fan of the show, and it being so big in our house and across Australia, it’s like being asked, ‘Would you like to bowl anover in the Ashes?’
“But it’s better than that, because me bowling an over in the Ashes would greatly disadvantage our country. But at least I can do this without bringing shame to the country.”
Like many households in Australia right now, Hamish admits Bluey is helping his kids get through the enforced lockdown period.
“I read that Bluey has had 200 million downloads on ABC iView,” he says.
“I think my household is probably responsible for about 30 per cent of that number.”
Bluey is getting a lot more recognition in the Blake household than LEGO Masters.
(Image: Instagram @zotheysay)Want to know more about Lego Masters? We’ve got you covered!
Meet all the Lego Masters season 2 contestants
This is when the second season of Lego Masters Australia will premiere
Hamish Blake talks hosting Lego Masters again for the second time
Lego Masters couple Kaitlyn and Miller are still together!
This is where Lego Masters Australia is filmed
Here’s where you can follow all of the Lego Masters S2 contestants on Instagram
Stay updated week by week: Here’s who won the latest Lego Masters team challenge
