Shorty rocks
Michael amazed by Alec Baldwin tribute! Plus, the naked truth about teens online
It’s the Shortland Street scene that’s got us – and the rest of the world – laughing. Since hitting our screens last month, Chris Warner’s unforgettable “Please tell me that’s not your penis” line has gone viral, inspiring memes, a music remix, countless headlines and even a spoof by some of Hollywood’s best actors.
Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel recreated the cliffhanger in an hilarious skit starring Alec Baldwin as Dr Warner himself, taking Shortland Street to a whole new level of fame.
But Michael Galvin, whose character Chris utters the brilliant words after intercepting a naked selfie from his teenage son Harry (played by Reid Walker), tells us that while there’s no doubt it’s “totally hilarious”, the episode has also shone a light on the very important issue around helping teenagers to stay safe in the digital world.
“As a parent, it’s a minefield and I certainly don’t have the answers,” admits Michael, who is dad to Lily, 10. “I think the most important thing is that things like this can start conversations between kids and parents, and I hope that parents keep these talks going.
“I’ve had conversations with Lily’s mother about these sorts of things and we are trying to be intelligent about it. But it’s not straightforward and there are no easy answers.”
While mobile phones can have their upsides – “It’s very reassuring to be able to keep in touch with your kids” – the impact of social media worries him.
“It’s very hard for teenagers,” he asserts. They’re already worried about what people think about them, but it’s so amplified and accelerated now.” He acknowledges that
ShortlandStreet has a proud history of shining a light on real-life issues affecting everyday Kiwis.
“I think one of the reasons why it’s gone so viral is because a lot of families and young people are dealing with issues like this at the moment. I think it resonated with people. ShortlandStreet doesn’t necessarily have the answers, but it’s cool to be able to get people talking about things like this.”
Michael, 49, has one piece of advice for anyone who is considering sharing intimate photos, though: “Just don’t! Seriously, don’t do it!”
Streetcred!
While he knew the line was “a classic” from the moment he first read the script, he could never have predicted just how far it would go. He was floored when Alec played him on the late-night Jimmy
KimmelLive show. “It was a huge surprise to everyone!” Michael laughs. “It’s just so funny and so weird that it actually happened. I think Alec Baldwin is the absolute master and just a wonderfully brilliant comic actor.”
While Michael thinks Alec did a great job recreating Dr Warner, there’s one person who’s not so convinced – his daughter Lily.
“Obviously, I think Alec Baldwin is a far better actor but Lily said to me, ‘Dad, you were way better. You had more expression.’ It was very sweet.”
With “Tell me that’s not your penis” joining “You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata” in the ShortlandStreet hall of fame, Michael is thrilled with the timing, given the soap celebrates its 25th anniversary in May.
And Michael tells us he loved filming the famous scene, but insists the iPad screen was actually blank!
“I was in my dressing room with Ben Barrington and Sam Bunkall and I was like, ‘Look what I get to say, look what I get to say!’ I was so excited. But I was also a bit nervous, to be honest. I just didn’t want to blow this one, it was just such a beautiful line. It took three takes to get it just right.”
Fortunately, no-one has shouted the infamous line at him across the supermarket yet, but Michael knows it could just be a matter of time. His 14-year-old co-star Reid hasn’t got off quite so lightly!
“He’s still at school, so he has to walk the hallways with the penis line ringing in his ears,” laughs Michael. “I haven’t had any of that, thank goodness!”