An interaction between Hamish Blake and a Channel 10 reporter has gone viral, after he stunned the journalist with his response to her tongue-in-cheek question.
The 43-year-old comedian had the honour of unveiling the iconic Myer Christmas Windows in Melbourne on Saturday.
For 2025, the Australian department store has taken over six of its glass store fronts with an elaborate interactive LEGO scene, showcasing the journey of a child’s letter to Santa as it travels to The North Pole, with Blake narrating the story.
After unveiling the display, the LEGO Masters host then took questions from waiting media outside of the Bourke Street store, where things took an unexpected turn.
TV reporter Ashleigh Paholek was first to step forward, posting footage of the interaction on TikTok.
“Hamish, easiest question to start with, do you have a dollar?” the journalist asked,
Blake initially appeared to have been caught off-guard, but after a long “urrrm”, he proceeds to get in on the bit, an inside joke from his radio days alongside fellow comedian Andy Lee.
“I do not have a dollar,” he replied.
“But, for those who understand the reference, I do have a bow.”
The TV star then appears to fold in half, giving what some social media users have declared “the deepest of bows”.
“Wow. That’s a low bow,” noted one.
“I hope his hamstrings are OK after going that deep,” teased another.
As one cheekily said: “9/10 bow great depth but still could’ve gone deeper.”
Paholek was equally as impressed with Blake’s efforts, declaring, “OK, we can leave now”, after he was done.
It seems not everyone gets the reference though, with the search bar revealing many viewers were looking up, “why does Hamish Blake bow”, after watching the clip.
The “bow or $1 tradition” is something that has evolved over the years, with the duo explaining in 2022 that it is a “sign of thanks” for fans.
While it might seem the cash incentive is the most popular outcome, social media is littered with clips of Blake and Lee bowing at an array of unexpected places, including an airport gift store, the foyer of what appears to be a theatre, at sports games and of course, on many a red carpet.
So it seems fitting Blake would oblige while fulfilling his LEGO Play Ambassador duties at the grand unveiling of the 2025 Myer Christmas Windows.
The display, built using over 500,000 LEGO bricks adorned with more than 400 mini figures, features several Melbourne landmarks, such as the MCG and Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as well as more iconic scenes like Santa’s mailroom.
“Christmas has always been about connection – and at the LEGO Group, we believe play is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together,” Troy Taylor, General Manager and Vice President, LEGO Australia & New Zealand, said.
“Whether it is the annual visit to the Myer Christmas windows, or coming together to build your favourite LEGO set as a family, this Christmas, we want to inspire families to make LEGO play part of their own festive traditions.”
Blake said being a part of the magic of Myer’s Christmas display was like taking a trip back in time, as it was a core childhood memory for him.
“I still remember pressing my nose up to those windows as a kid, completely mesmerised by the magic of Christmas,” he said.
“To see that magic now rebuilt entirely out of LEGO bricks is pretty special – it’s like childhood nostalgia, piece by piece.
“Hopefully, it inspires families to slow down, build something together, and make a bit of time for play this Christmas.”
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