Spencer McLaren : Hello everyone.I'm here! It's 8.30 am here.
MatthewD : Hello Spencer
Marie : G'day spencer
Spencer McLaren : G'day everyone!
Kelly : wow good show was it fun fliming it?
Spencer McLaren : Kelly, I had a ball filming the show. It's one of the funniest experiences I had, mostly because of the other actors in the show, I think.
doll face : So is this really the Secret Life of Australia or is it really like that?
Spencer McLaren laughs
Spencer McLaren : half and half I think. It's very true to some experiences in Australia but of course there is some fiction in there as well but you know, it really is that much fun! And that sunny! But not today.
Marie : how did u get the part?
Spencer McLaren : Long story, so I'll cut it short. I was at drama school, and the producers wanted to do a reading of the script, so they used my year at drama school to hear the script read out loud. We did a mock audition for it. I then went away to do some work in Asia, and was asked to audition for the role of Will for when I was coming back, but I'd already got another job at that point so I couldn't do the audition. Then they changed the production dates, and STILL hadn't cast Richie, so they called me in to audition for that part. I came in and auditioned against Abi (who plays Miranda) and apparently that was enough for them so they gave me the part!
mike : hi i just caught the last 20 mins of tonites show and thought it was great, richie i think ur gorgeous, do u get ur kit off at all in the show?
stevie_baybee : i would love to see richie with his kit off :)
Spencer McLaren guffaws
Spencer McLaren : Thank you! Yes I do but only to a certain extent, so I'll leave the rest to the imagination.
MatthewD : What was the most challenging thing you had to do on the show?
Spencer McLaren thinks
Spencer McLaren : I think, probably the sex scenes. Only because having not done them before on film, it was a new experience. With 25 people standing around watching you it's not a sexual experience at all. It's very hard to try to create that sexiness with all these people watching you!
Spencer McLaren chuckles
Spencer McLaren : As well as dealing with the other actor we all go very serious when dealing with a sex scene, very professional. So that's quite a challenge.
Ross : How come there are so many good looking women in the series??? are all aussie women like that??
Spencer McLaren : Hi Ross. Yes they are, we kill all the others.
cookie_mistress : Hey Spencer, I think the show is great and all the guys r VERY gorgeous especially Joel Edgerton!, how long does the series run for and is there gonna b a second 1?
Spencer McLaren : Hi cookie. The series is 22 episodes, and it's looking like we will be doing another series, fingers crossed! If you keep watching, that is.
dougalreal : What did you think about Goran Ivanisovicich beating Rafter?
Spencer McLaren : Um! First of all I used to have a dog called dougal, are you sure you're not him? Secondly, I don't really wanna talk about it!! But PAT WILL BE BACK!
asp : Now that the show has started in Oz, what has been the reaction to it?
Spencer McLaren : We just had the first two episodes two days ago, so it's a bit soon to tell what the reaction has been like. The ratings were fantastic, so the business side of things looks positive for all those execs, but in terms of feedback from the public it's a bit soon to tell.
tell me your secrets : so is there any juicy gossip you can tell us about what's coming up...
sammy : hey is anything going to happen between u and the bar tender or cant u answer that?
Spencer McLaren laughs
Spencer McLaren : Juicy gossip. Hmmmm. I'm trying to think of something to give you that won't ruin it for you. Something *does* happen between the bartender and I, but I don't think I'll tell you exactly what...but no-one dies in the immediate future, so don't stress about death!
Spencer McLaren chuckles
liz : you're such a tease!
doll face : What is it about Australian soaps/dramas - everyone seems to do the rounds! What other soaps have you been in?
Spencer McLaren : Heheh! Thanks Liz, we try. The only other soap I've been in is Home and Away... which I believe is on there now?
jtk101 : What was the major difference between filming The Secret Life of Us and Home & Away?
Spencer McLaren thinks
Spencer McLaren : Two things I would say were majorly different. One was the time we had to shoot an episode - roughly four times as long for the Secret Life than Home and Away, and secondly, the quality of the writing. They are different genres.
liz : Any chance of the cast coming over to see us?! To help promote the show of course!!!
Spencer McLaren : Heehee
Spencer McLaren : Funnily enough I'm in the process of arranging a trip to the UK sometime in the next month.
MatthewD : Do you have a fan club for the show?
Spencer McLaren : We don't as yet?
Spencer McLaren : Perhaps you'd like to start one, Matthew, and give us the details!
Spencer McLaren grins
Spencer McLaren: There is the TV website though: http://www.ten.com.au/webCh10/admin/tvhead/microsite/showpage.asp?CategoryID=235
mitchell : just to say i think the secret life of us is probably one of the best T.V exports to come from aus are you ready to become the sex symbol from what i think is one of the best shows on the box at the mo??
Spencer McLaren : No I'm not sure I am ready...
Spencer McLaren giggles
Spencer McLaren : But thank you for the compliment!
nel : who sings the title track at the start of the show?
Spencer McLaren : That's a band called Motor Ace.
dougalreal : Does anyone in the cast go out with other cast members? Hands off Alex - she's mine!
Spencer McLaren : Hahaha!
Spencer McLaren : Do you mean real life? There were no relationships that went on during the filming but that's not to say there wasn't the odd snog...
Spencer McLaren grins
Spencer McLaren : p.s. Alex is a good kisser!
charlie007 : are you on a high after the rugby success and the future ashes win?
Spencer McLaren : The rugby was a coup. At least part of our sporting world is getting it together. PAT WILL BE BACK!!
Haz : Did you imagine this was how it would be and do you think the show is/will be a sucsess
Spencer McLaren : I had no preconceptions of what it would be like when the show came to air but it is something I'm extremely proud of, and believe will be successful.
Chat Ed : Big Brother is causing quite a stir over here at the moment..
Essex : would you like to be in the aussie version of celebrity big brother?
Spencer McLaren : No no no!! Some things were meant to remain PRIVATE I think?
Spencer McLaren chuckles
Spencer McLaren : Unless there's a quarter of a million dollars on offer, then I *might* reconsider.
Neil McTaggart : if you had to do a different career, what would it be?
Spencer McLaren : If I had to do something else, I've always wanted to be a conductor with an orchestra.
Lesley : What do you think about the quality of Aussie programmes in general i.e. neighbours and summer bay?
Spencer McLaren laughs
Spencer McLaren : Loaded question there! I think for a while Australia has catered to the lower end of the market. I'm glad that for once a network has had the vision to spend a bit of money and time trying to do what the British and the Americans do more often, which is cater to a smarter, sometimes younger audience...?
liz : and now you've moved it upwards right???!!!
Spencer McLaren : Ahh heh
Spencer McLaren chuckles
Spencer McLaren : I hope so liz! But that's not meant to sound arrogant or conceited about the show. As I said before, it's something I am very proud of.
Marie : what part of Australia are ya from
Spencer McLaren : I was born in Sydney, but I now live in Melbourne.
sunny : I'm coming to Melbourne soon. Where are the best night spots?
Spencer McLaren : One of the best things about Melbourne is its huge amount of great little bars tucked away in dark corners. The Central Business District (CBD) has over 200 bars in a very, very small area, so I think you'll have no trouble finding some good night spots. Try a bar called Chocolate.
mike : have you got anything else in the pipeline?
Spencer McLaren : Nothing on film or television at the moment. I am however working on a live show called Kitty Can Tap, which is a live...er...tap show... with four singers as well. So that's probably my next project, unless someone has an offer from the UK of course...?
Spencer McLaren grins
Spencer McLaren : Perhaps you can all pool your money together for the Save Richie fund.
Spencer McLaren laughs
tell me your secrets : you tap dance?
Spencer McLaren : Yes I do! But I won't be in that show... I'll be singing.
Emma Louise : Would you like to be a popstar?
dougalreal : Spencer - Dannii or Kylie?
Spencer McLaren : Not like on the TV show! I would like to do some recording at some point, but it's not my focus at all. I won't be stealing either of their crowns, dougal!
Chat Ed : We're getting towards the end of our half hour now, so last few questions..
Lesley : Can I be REALLY cheeky and what age you are...and are you available??!!
Spencer McLaren guffaws
Spencer McLaren : What age would you like me to be?
Helen : 26
Lorraine : i'd like ya to be 20
Lesley : 25 would do!
Spencer McLaren : I'm 28. And yes, I am available!
stevie_baybee : OMG, you look 20
Spencer McLaren : Yes?
Awara : Are there any actors whom you really admire?
Spencer McLaren : Er...
Spencer McLaren thinks.
Spencer McLaren : I really like Patrick Stewart,Tim Robbins and Cate Blanchett.
BAC : Does the show have a website?
Spencer McLaren : We don't have a specific website that I know of as yet, but either the Channel 4 site or www.ten.com.au is the Australian network site, and they have more stuff to look at there too: http://www.ten.com.au/webCh10/admin/tvhead/microsite/showpage.asp?CategoryID=235
Chat Ed : And one last question, Spencer..
Deb : Spencer, do you like brunettes or blondes?
Spencer McLaren : Heheheh
Deb : Coz I'm a brunette
Spencer McLaren : I have a preference for blondes, but of course, never rule out a brunette!
Spencer McLaren grins
Spencer McLaren : Diplomatic to the end. I prefer redheads?
Spencer McLaren chuckles
Helen : Tanx heaps for coming Spencer
mitchell : just to say wish you all the best and hope we get a second series
Chat Ed : Thanks for coming Spencer, we all enjoyed it!
Spencer McLaren : Thanks guys, had a great time. Hopefully get to talk to you all again soon and maybe see you in three to four weeks time!
liz : thanx a lot hope to see more of you soon!
Chat Ed : Thanks for coming everyone. And just so you know, next week we'll have Damian here who plays Jason!
Spencer McLaren waves
Spencer McLaren leaves the room
