FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
Andy
PHOTO COURTESY OF TINA SMIGIELSKI PHOTOGRAPHY & TV WEEK MAGAZINE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The subconscious message of these books is it doesn’ t matter, press on and things will be fine. Because that’ s the way that I like living my life.
He credits his parents, who were both teachers, with instilling in him a taste for life and a love of the unexpected. They were also, unsurprisingly, quick to challenge him to think differently and come up with creative solutions.
“ I was pretty lucky as a kid to have a lot of time with my mum and dad,” he remembers.“ They both loved challenging me for everything I asked. If I asked a question, it would be met with another question rather than just the answer.”
This lesson comes through loud and clear in the series.“ The subconscious message of these books is it doesn’ t matter, press on and things will be fine. Because that’ s the way that I like living my life.”
It’ s this love of the unexpected – and being hilariously in touch with their inner children – that first brought Blake and Lee together at university in Melbourne. After more than 20 years, they’ re still dreaming up ridiculous ways to keep everyone laughing, including themselves.
“ We still pinch ourselves,” he says.“ Our recipe is just keep having as much fun as possible and thankfully audiences are still enjoying it. But even if they don’ t, I think Ham and I will still keep going in and doing idiotic things. We’ ll have to tell our partners that we’ ve still got a job even when people stop listening to us!”
When asked if reading his books is one of those“ idiotic things”, Lee’ s message is clear.
“ I would just say, definitely do NOT buy it. If you see it, make sure you bury it. Definitely do NOT seek out the box set or the latest one that comes out in September. And if you do happen to stumble across it, do NOT open it and do NOT turn the page!”
Jiyan Dessens is a health and lifestyle journalist and the editor of the Connection.
COSTCO CONNECTION
Find Andy Lee’ s Do NOT Open These Books Platinum Edition Item 156132 in warehouses.
26 | MAY / JUN 2023 COSTCO CONNECTION