Hello.
When the ABC, and then Netflix,
screened a show called Love On The Spectrum,
one of the participants, Michael Theo, became the breakout star.
one of the participants, Michael His earnest quest to find true love
and his incredible on-screen charisma
won him legions of fans around the world.
What Michael did next transformed his life
What Michael did next and fulfilled a childhood dream.
I don't see myself as a normal human being.
I see myself as an eccentric, possibly flamboyant comedian
I see myself as an eccentric, who makes people laugh.
It's always nerve-racking because this will be the first time
that an audience has actually watched the first two episodes.
Yeah.
That's something I'm kind of nervous about myself.
I actually was nonverbal as a small child,
but I always had this dream of becoming an actor.
It's what I've always wanted to do since early childhood.
It's what I've always wanted to do Oh, this is the shot.
It's not about the fame. It's about the art.
It's not about the fame. Fame just comes with acting.
I think I'm bathing in the reflected glory of Michael Theo.
Thanks.
Where Michael really struck a chord with people
was when he was on Love On The Spectrum.
This room here is my bedroom, but I actually call it my quarters.
This room here is my bedroom, He was charismatic.
These are my love ducks.
His kind of honesty and his genuine pursuit of love,
I think, captured, you know, the hearts and minds of the viewers.
What's your greatest dream in life?
To become a husband.
Now he's a bit of a worldwide phenomenon in a lot of ways.
And I thought, can he be in a scripted series?
And I thought, Does he have the chops?
(MUSIC PLAYS)
Hey, Dizzy.
Best hangover cure - Hey, Dizzy.
Best hangover cure - sardines on toast.
MAN: I think even Michael himself was surprised
MAN: I think even Michael himself how much he took to it.
Simone...
Just because he plays guitar does not mean that you're in love with him.
This is someone who is experiencing the joy of getting to do something
they thought they would never get to do,
they thought and seizing it with both hands
and getting everything out of it that they possibly can.
Well done. Thank you, sir.
When I was younger, I often felt inferior to my brother.
While I was growing up, I just felt like that I wasn't good enough.
In fact, I often compare myself to my brother, While I was growing up, I just felt like that I wasn't good enough.
In fact, I often compare myself to my brother,
something I probably shouldn't have done.
I would often label him as a fresh cut of meat from God
and myself as a double scoop of dog shit.
Comparing yourself to something and myself as a double scoop of dog shit.
Comparing yourself to something
to make light of yourself in such a derogatory way,
just...it's never going to benefit you.
It's gutting.
I don't know why he would want to compare himself to dog shit.
It's been a hard road for him. And for us. I don't know why he would want to compare himself to dog shit.
It's been a hard road for him. And for us.
For us as parents watching him.
But imagine what it's like to be him
having to make that journey.
I remember that when I was in primary school,
I was off in my own world all the time,
which is something that I no longer do anymore.
Yep.
Well, it's good that you acknowledge that and you can see it.
That just shows how much you've developed.
He's worked so hard to get to where he is,
to be who he is and to be accepted.
I just have this strange ability to make people laugh
without even trying.
And yet when I try to be funny, it doesn't work.
One of the things that I've said to Michael
is that, you know, life is full of storms,
but once the storm is over, there's nothing left but rainbows.
Yeah.
(ON VIDEO) Hello, Mikey.
Michael was born in 1994.
(ON VIDEO) Who's a beautiful boy?
And he was my first child.
And...
You OK? Yeah.
Da-da-da-da-da.
As anybody's first child, Da-da-da-da-da.
As anybody's first child, you think that they're perfect.
He was reaching all the milestones. (ON VIDEO) Michael! Over here.
He was reaching all the milestones. He was playful.
He was very social.
(ON VIDEO) Come on. Go for a walk in your car.
Between the ages of about a year to a year and a half,
we noticed that he was going backwards.
we noticed (ON VIDEO) Oh, your dog.
You know, he went from talking, to he's not talking,
You know, he went from talking, very frustrated all the time.
(ON VIDEO) What are you watching?
Then he goes to pre-school at age three
Then he goes to pre-school and the pre-school said, look,
"We see some differences between Michael and other children,"
and that's kind of how it all started.
He was a bit of a loner.
Didn't really like to socialise too much,
and he used to get really upset in noisy environments.
(ON VIDEO) Michael.
Come here, Mike.
When did we get over the denial stage, Tom?
We didn't know that he was on the spectrum.
We just thought he was a bit unusual at the time.
(ON VIDEO) What are you doing? Come here.
Michael was almost eight years old
when he was formally diagnosed with Asperger's.
It's now called autism. But back then, it was Asperger's.
It's now called autism. We were given information like, um,
he may never say "I love you."
Um,
the best you can expect would be personal hygiene. Um,
the best you can expect would be personal hygiene.
If he does that, that'll be a win. would be personal hygiene.
If he does that, that'll be a win.
And I just thought, what kind of a life is that?
So, that's where I started to become quite determined
that Michael was going to have better.
(ON VIDEO) Mikey's heading for the video cabinet.
(ON VIDEO) Mikey's heading I was constantly off in my own world
due to the fact that I was a boy on the autism spectrum.
But Mum helped me break out of that
and become more engaged in the world around me.
And I would say, "OK, Mike, this is what we're doing."
And I'd keep drawing him into what I'm doing
and making him be in the here and now.
When I was a kid, I used to watch things like Looney Tunes,
When I was a kid, I used to watch The Flintstones, Disney films.
Welcome to Jellystone, Doc.
Michael wasn't speaking.
Speech therapy wasn't working because he wasn't interested.
# Meet George Jetson... #
But I also noticed the way he reacted to animation.
That, I could see, was going to be the medium
to be able to tap into his language and get him talking.
The power of the Dragon Scroll is mine!
He'd be mesmerised by the cartoons on TV
and you could see the intense concentration on his face.
and you could see the intense Life's not fair, is it?
You see, I... Well, I shall never be king.
And he'd virtually repeat line for line for 20 minutes straight,
the whole...all these scenes.
Life's not fair, is it?
You see, I... Life's not fair, is it?
You see, I... Well, I shall never be king.
And you shall never see the light of another day.
Adieu.
And when I saw him do that, I just freaked out and went, "Holy smoke!"
This guy's cut out for this sort of stuff sometime in the future.
Alright, so, first time you've done animation, Michael?
Yep. This is my first time
doing a voiceover for an animated character.
doing a voiceover So this is basically new to me.
Let's go in here
and I'll show you the character that you're going to be playing.
Oh, yeah. Of course.
So, he looks like a punk, but he's actually a very gentle, kind soul.
So, he looks like a punk, but he's And he works at the local shops.
Animation was more like an escape from reality for me.
It's something that brought me a lot of joy, Animation was more like an escape from reality for me.
It's something that brought me a lot of joy,
and it still does to this day.
Whenever you're ready. OK.
Whenever you're ready. (HOWLS)
That sounds great. That's excellent.
That sounds great. That sounds really good.
The world we live in is one giant chaotic mess.
And so by watching television,
watching films,
and practising those voices and acting out the villainous characters,
and practising those voices and it prevents me from lashing out.
Nobody ever gets harmed and nothing gets damaged.
Mum once saw it as talking to myself,
Mum once saw it but it is anything but that.
I actually was just practising voices.
Let's give that a go, thanks, Mike. We'll get three in a row.
Let's give that a go, thanks, Mike. You need more wet blankets.
I would say that this You need more wet blankets.
I would say that this is like a full circle moment.
It's something that I've spent my whole life since childhood
It's something that I've spent questing for.
When I was 13, Mum finally told me that I have Asperger's,
because being a child,
how can you possibly understand what Asperger's is or what autism is?
Those nets weren't there back in my day.
He'd often sit alone at school.
He would say, so, yes, he'd be on his own. So...
He said, "I feel like I'm invisible.
"I want to socialise, but people aren't socialising with me."
Mr Wade, long time no see, sir. Welcome.
A lot of the teachers were like parental figures.
I was just a well-behaved student who always showed up.
I was just a well-behaved student I miss having you in my classes.
Yeah, those were I miss having you in my classes.
Yeah, those were some of the best times.
But I was a bit of a grumpy student back in the day
because I found everything at school to be very stressful -
the homework, the exams, the assignments
the homework, the exams, and the immaturity of the students.
It was just and the immaturity of the students.
It was just a lot for me to take on board
It was just and I was just unable to handle it.
Do you miss school sometimes? Not really.
Do you miss school sometimes? No?
I wasn't really paid much attention to
by a lot of the girls from high school.
I could never understand or figure out why.
Maybe it was because there were guys that were supposedly hotter.
But we'll never know.
OK. Ready? Three, two...
WOMAN: I first met Michael in high school.
Thank you.
He was a bit old beyond his years.
He was certainly different from the other kids.
I mean, that was obvious.
And he did always want a girlfriend.
And that wasn't going to happen for him in high school
the same way that it happens with other kids.
Hello. Hi, Bri.
Hey. How are you? Good. Yourself?
It wasn't until after school that our friendship really blossomed.
How are you going? I'm going good. How about you?
Yeah. He's got this very big heart.
Yeah. And you can't not see it, you know?
Like, he gives it to you if you show up for it.
Like, he gives it to you So, how's the world been going?
I actually went to a speed dating So, how's the world been going?
I actually went to a speed dating event on Tuesday night.
Briana taught me that there are many kinds of love
Briana taught me that there instead of just romantic love.
Did you meet anyone that you liked?
There was a couple, but I only got matched with one of them.
She's, like, the best friend a man could hope for.
She's basically like a soul mate to me.
Just not a romantic one.
VANESSA: We didn't know
what the workforce would look like for Michael.
With assistance from a recruiter, he was able to get work.
In 2014, I got the Certificate III in Shopfitting and Joinery.
Some people might mishear it as shoplifting.
Shoplifting is a crime, not a course.
I was working in a kitchen manufacturer
I was working sanding doors every day.
OK.
But I'm not going to go into that
because that brings back bad memories.
It was, unfortunately,
with an employer who had an employee that thought Michael needed fixing,
but they tried to fix him by treating him like rubbish, actually.
but they tried to fix him by He was bullied quite a bit.
Yes. Quite a bit.
And there was a lot of inappropriate language used and he was belittled.
And that employer has got no idea
the amount of damage that was done to Michael.
When he left that job he was very, very low.
It was probably the lowest point in his life.
It was probably the lowest point Yeah.
Last one. Yeah.
Michael's second job was in another kitchen manufacturer.
Michael's second job was in I'll think of something.
And he was quite included and respected.
And they took him under their wing and looked after him.
And he was happy. And he was... And he was happy.
Hey, Quinn. Hey, Michael. How are you?
Good. Just do this one for me.
BRI: Michael didn't do lots of dating in his early 20s.
Let's go. How about you?
Let's go. Always good. Always good.
He really wanted love. He really wanted a wife.
Ready? Yeah.
Let's go. How many reps?
Let's go. 10.
It's caused him a little bit of anguish.
It's caused him He always wanted to find somebody
and couldn't understand why He always wanted to find somebody
and couldn't understand why he couldn't find somebody.
and couldn't understand why Last one.
12. Beautiful. Lock it in.
For some reason, people on the autism spectrum 12. Beautiful. Lock it in.
For some reason, people on the autism spectrum
find it difficult to find love as well.
In fact, dating is the hardest thing I've ever done.
In fact, dating is the hardest thing Even more so than working out.
You've got it. Last one.
That hurt him a little bit,
that he couldn't figure out how to connect to people That hurt him a little bit,
that he couldn't figure out how to connect to people
that he couldn't figure out in the way that he wanted to,
or that, more than that,
that people didn't know how to connect to him
in the way that he wanted to connect.
You've got to keep that tempo. Four.
When Michael first said he was going to be on Love On The Spectrum,
When Michael first said he was going to be honest, it was great,
but I didn't know it was going to be as big as it was.
but I didn't know Very good. Beautiful.
Yeah. So, I'm the co-creator and director of Love On The Spectrum.
I want a job.
I'd been working on a series for ABC called Employable Me. I want a job.
I'd been working on a series for ABC called Employable Me.
I'm an employable man.
And through that process
of making a series about people with disabilities
of making a series looking for employment,
we'd met many, many individuals with autism.
And a lot of them, to be honest,
wanted to find love more than they wanted to find a job.
We sat together and talked about, wanted to find love more than they wanted to find a job.
We sat together and talked about,
well, could we make a love We sat together and talked about,
well, could we make a love and relationship show
that really explored
how autistic people, who haven't had love in their lives,
and really look at some of those stigmas around autism.
OK. Michael, are you available next Saturday to come to Sydney and really look at some of those stigmas around autism.
OK. Michael, are you available next Saturday to come to Sydney
to, you know, go on a date with a girl who we've been chatting to?
I just couldn't give up this image a girl who we've been chatting to?
I just couldn't give up this image
that I had got from the very first Zoom interview
that we'd done with Michael.
It just...the clouds that passed over his face of expression. that we'd done with Michael.
It just...the clouds that passed over his face of expression.
There was something so unique that just completely grabbed me.
That's how this show works, that just completely grabbed me.
That's how this show works,
is we say, "Oh, you know, are you available?
"Are you interested in going on a date with this person?"
So, with Michael,
he was a 25-year-old man living with his parents, desperate to find love.
he was a 25-year-old man living with Excuse me a second, gentlemen.
When we were filming in his bedroom,
he pulled out the plaque When we were filming in his bedroom,
he pulled out the plaque from his wardrobe
and said, "I've made this plaque for my future wife."
When did you make this? Five years ago.
Wow. You really want this, Michael? Oh, yes, I do.
It's the most important thing that I want to achieve.
He summed up everything
that we wanted to say and achieve with this series.
Hello. Hello.
You must be Jodi. Yes. Hello. Are you Michael?
Yes. I am.
I specialise in the area of supporting adults with disabilities Yes. I am.
I specialise in the area of supporting adults with disabilities
in that really complex area
of intimate adult relationships and sexuality.
I've been studying human behaviour for many years.
I've been studying human behaviour That's excellent, Michael.
It can be very, very complex That's excellent, Michael.
It can be very, very complex for autistic people.
You know, being able to be vulnerable with somebody else,
particularly if people have been bullied or isolated
or have consistently felt very, very different.
One of my philosophies is never fall for a girl just because she's hot.
I think that's an excellent philosophy.
I think So, when I first met Michael,
he was very determined that he was going to get married.
He was going to meet his soul mate,
this person who fit all of these categories that he had on a list.
Love at first sight is a symptom of lust.
And lust is the opposite of love.
He hadn't even got to the first date
and he was already planning the wedding.
A lot of people our age aren't interested in commitment.
They're only interested in intercourse.
Yeah, look. It's true.
We were a little bit nervous to start off with
because we've never had cameras, and we're quite a private family.
And, you know, once we got used to the cameras
and all that sort of jazz and, um, you know, it was good.
It was all for Michael.
Hey. Hello, Amanda.
Hey. How are you?
Oh, please allow me. Thank you.
Oh, please allow me. I'm more...
CIAN: The date with Amanda at I'm more...
CIAN: The date with Amanda at the restaurant in Wollongong
was his first ever one-on-one date.
And because Michael has a lot of kind of traditional views was his first ever one-on-one date.
And because Michael has a lot of kind of traditional views
on what dating means and what you have to do
to be a polite gentleman,
he wanted a really formal dinner.
This is for you. he wanted a really formal dinner.
This is for you. Oh! I love flowers.
This is for you. I was pretty excited about it.
Thank you. It's my pleasure.
But that ended before it even started.
JODI: This formality that Michael brought through his romantic persona
ended up becoming quite overwhelming for Amanda,
ended up becoming and she started to panic.
Would you like to take a break?
And I think it was a learning for Mike during that point...
I'll be back, OK? Yeah. That's fine.
..that that's not what everybody finds relaxing.
..that that's not what I think it's too formal.
I can't do this.
His immediate thing was, "Are they OK?
His immediate thing was, "Have I done something wrong?"
You know, there's this archaic idea
that autistic people don't have empathy,
that autistic people which is so far from the truth.
Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen.
This is series two of Love On The Spectrum.
KARINA: So, Michael didn't find love in series one,
but when we knew we were making a second series, we knew KARINA: So, Michael didn't find love in series one,
but when we knew we were making a second series, we knew
that the audience just wanted to keep following Michael's journey.
You're a gentleman. It's my pleasure.
REPORTER: Across two seasons of Love On The Spectrum,
the world fell in love with Michael Theo.
JODI: Once it hit Netflix,
Love On The Spectrum just exploded all over the globe
and was translated into seven languages, I think. Love On The Spectrum just exploded all over the globe
and was translated into seven languages, I think.
And everybody who was in the show,
it changed their lives when that happened,
including Michael's.
Michael didn't find romantic love in series two,
but he found love from fans around Australia and around the world.
but he found love from fans around If I actually was dating somebody,
she would be pretty much
my most valuable and greatest she would be pretty much
my most valuable and greatest treasure of all time.
Oh, my God, I love him. He's the cutest.
VANESSA: It was lovely to see Michael be accepted.
VANESSA: It was lovely That's what I could see.
It was that acceptance of Mike.
And I know how much he wanted that.
He was no longer invisible.
Being normal is lame. Why...?
Why try to be like everybody else
when you have the chance to stand out and be your unique self?
I decided that if everybody else in Australia and around the world
sees me as this wonderful, great person,
then maybe I need to start doing the same.
then maybe Would you go on another dating show?
Like, I know that it was kind of a joke,
but would you go on The Bachelor?
No.
I'll explain why.
It's because I've heard
that the men are not really allowed It's because I've heard
that the men are not really allowed to be themselves,
and they're also hairless and chiselled, which I am not.
and they're also hairless (LAUGHTER)
Now Michael's got fans from all over the world,
and hopefully he doesn't feel like a double scoop of dog shit anymore. Now Michael's got fans from all over the world,
and hopefully he doesn't feel like a double scoop of dog shit anymore.
Before I was on television, I saw myself as a nobody from nowhere.
TOM: Michael was invited to do a TED talk in Sydney and he blew me away.
TOM: Michael was invited to do a TED Success wasn't what I expected.
It's better.
It was a great moment for me
do what he did on stage.
to watch my son do what he did on stage.
My father told me that I touched a lot of other people's hearts.
I was not only surprised by people's reactions,
but it gave me the confidence and the self-belief
that I could follow my dreams from childhood,
which is acting and performing.
I was so proud of him.
I was literally in tears at the back of the room watching him.
I haven't given up the quest for love.
I'm simply putting it aside for the time being.
Michael's been able to flourish
how he's always wanted to flourish socially.
But there's also this passion how he's always wanted to flourish socially.
But there's also this passion
the entertainment industry.
for wanting to enter the entertainment industry.
So, Michael, here in episode seven,
Austin discovers his father's... the falsehood of his father.
I'm a film and television director and writer,
and like everybody else, Michael really made an impact with me. I'm a film and television director and writer,
and like everybody else, Michael really made an impact with me.
And he was the first spark for the series called Austin.
And that takes us into episode eight,
which is where Austin has sent him on a cryptic DNA quest.
Darren was over in the UK and he's an old friend of mine,
and he gets his laptop out Darren was over in the UK and he's an old friend of mine,
and he gets his laptop out
and he starts showing me scenes from Love On The Spectrum.
And Michael completely draws me in and I'm captivated by him
and I want to know more about him.
I find him funny. I find him moving. and I want to know more about him.
I find him funny. I find him moving. I find him incredibly truthful.
I said to him, "Darren, do you think he could act?"
So then we just kind of started talking about, you know,
So then we just kind of started how would that work?
What would the story be?
The great thing about that is it What would the story be?
The great thing about that is it parallels exactly
Michael's kind of relationship with his own mother.
And we started digging into Michael's experiences,
asking him about things that he'd been through.
And in particular, there was a story about him being bullied at work,
which we then developed into a story in the show.
So, Austin, any other plans for this morning?
I was going to pick up some more cheese.
Oh, good. Good. We do need more cheese.
KARINA: It was just obvious from that very first table read
KARINA: It was just obvious that he was like a duck to water,
and people were laughing
and he was finding his timing and I was like, wow.
I was nervous, but he was absolutely brilliant.
Uh, let me just sign that for you quickly. What's your name?
Uh, let me just sign that for you Austin Hogan.
Austin is the centre of the show.
It's about his journey of self-discovery and self-realisation.
It's about his journey of I wanted to tell you something.
I'm pretty sure that I'm your son.
WOMAN: Michael, naturally, in real life is very literal,
WOMAN: Michael, naturally, very straight ahead.
I'm your son.
So he brings all of his natural, extraordinary traits and abilities I'm your son.
So he brings all of his natural, extraordinary traits and abilities
So he brings all of his natural, to the character.
Is this meant to be an outtake? Exactly.
Just behind the scenes. Oh, cool.
Just behind the scenes. What did you just say?
I said it's almost like my mother is here.
I'm channelling Vanessa.
He was so excited every day I'm channelling Vanessa.
He was so excited every day of the shoot to be on a set,
getting to act with actors.
And...action.
He loved it. He loved it. And he was learning.
I could see him learning every day from everyone around him.
Is that what you're wearing? Is that what YOU'RE wearing?
He had a natural confidence. He wasn't overwhelmed.
Austin. How'd it go?
I don't want to talk about it.
What? Is that because it didn't go I don't want to talk about it.
What? Is that because it didn't go how you'd hoped it might?
I can't answer that without talking about it.
I'm going to my quarters.
Many people on the spectrum I'm going to my quarters.
Many people on the spectrum have to be very good actors
to show the world that they've got this. Many people on the spectrum have to be very good actors
to show the world that they've got this.
He's had to be an actor his whole life.
And he says that, "This is what I was born for."
And he says that, Action.
Hello, Dad, this is Austin.
Austin. Hi. I'm glad you're up. I wasn't sure if it was too early.
Austin. Hi. I'm glad you're up. I get up at 6:50.
I'm currently ranking flags.
Can't understand why everybody keeps asking me, "Were you nervous? I'm currently ranking flags.
Can't understand why everybody keeps asking me, "Were you nervous?
Can't understand why everybody "Do you feel nervous?"
Because I don't have a reason to be nervous. Why should I?
I actually enjoy being in front of the camera.
I actually enjoy It definitely felt like home.
Alright, let's have a walk through. Thank you.
BEN: When you're on set, sometimes you need to do things
over and over and over and over again.
And he had the persistence to do that. over and over and over and over again.
And he had the persistence to do that.
There were challenges and he just kept rising to them.
The only thing that we have in common, Eric,
is that we're both forklift drivers and are 60% water.
is that we're both forklift drivers When I first watched Austin,
seeing myself on camera still felt a little bit weird,
but all the feedback has been very positive.
but all the feedback Everyone loves the show.
My mum has seen it, like, nine times.
It's an experience. Not that I got aroused or anything, but...
It's an experience. Not that I got I did my best. That's all I can say.
Hello, Jodi. Hello.
Can you hear me? Yep, I can hear you.
Michael and I now, we have maintained contact
for five years and we have a genuine, respectful friendship. Michael and I now, we have maintained contact
for five years and we have a genuine, respectful friendship.
So, how are things going with you on the relationship front?
So, how are things going Have you been dating or...?
I actually have had a few dates with someone recently,
but I'm not going to go into it because it's still early days.
Let's just say I'm still putting myself out there.
There's still a couple of things missing in life...
..a house
and a woman to settle down with.
It's funny, sometimes we have a picture in our head
of what we think our perfect partner is going to be,
and then we have to change as we grow
to go, "Actually, that picture doesn't exist."
I have watched Mike become way more open
and flexible and adaptive,
and he doesn't...
He still has a list, but it's not and he doesn't...
He still has a list, but it's not the list he originally had.
He's definitely still seeking the love of his life.
He's definitely still seeking Um, he hasn't given up.
What I most desire in a woman is a sharp, confident woman, Um, he hasn't given up.
What I most desire in a woman is a sharp, confident woman,
but also has a lovely heart and comes from a loving family.
Is that so much?
I don't want her to be perfect,
I just want her to be the right person for me.
I'm a one-woman man, but I have no idea who she is or where she is.
If I had my own place, things would be a lot easier.
I'm at an age where I shouldn't be living with Mum and Dad at all.
I'm at an age where I shouldn't be But unfortunately, I have no choice.
VANESSA: He'll get his house and he'll get his wife.
And in his mind, he's at the stage where he thinks, "You know what?
"I've got everything else I've wanted. I'm going to get that, too."
BRIANA: I don't think Michael came on the scene
going, "I'm going to change things for neurodivergent people."
I think that he took an opportunity to change it for himself, um, going, "I'm going to change things for neurodivergent people."
I think that he took an opportunity to change it for himself, um,
which, fantastically, has changed it for neurodiverse people.
which, fantastically, has changed And you do write very quickly.
The more himself he is, the more it's celebrated.
You just seem to know what others would want to learn more about.
And the conversation is changing around neurodiversity anyway.
And all of a sudden there's more and more people
And all of a sudden who are saying, "I'm neurodiverse."
Every workplace should have a space like that.
He kind of accidentally became the change
and is...and it's changing as much for him as it is for anybody else.
VANESSA: Let's dig in, guys.
Chips are coming, but let's dig in VANESSA: Let's dig in, guys.
Chips are coming, but let's dig in while it's hot.
Yeah. Bon appetit.
Yeah. Bon appetit, people.
10 years ago, if you said to me Bon appetit, people.
10 years ago, if you said to me that Michael was going to be famous
10 years ago, if you said to me and your family's going to be on TV,
I would have said, "Are you kidding me?"
It feels really weird to see you be well known
It feels really weird because I'm protective of you.
We love that you're so well known because I'm protective of you.
We love that you're so well known because it's what you want.
It's been an amazing journey. This is just the start.
And this is just the start of his journey.
Since you consider yourself a protective sister,
Since you consider yourself what are your thoughts on the idea
of me actually dating someone what are your thoughts on the idea
of me actually dating someone at the moment?
I'm happy about it. I'm glad it's working out.
I'm happy about it. I hope to hear good news.
There's an 80% chance that there will be.
80? 80?
Do you like her? Yeah, I do.
Romantically? Yep.
In fact, we've actually kissed several times.
OK, well...
So, we had his 30th not long ago. We were at a restaurant.
So, we had his 30th not long ago. Invited his friends, family
and I sat back and I looked
and I said, "OK, this is inclusion and diversity at the table,"
because you had neurodiverse
and you had neurotypical people
all coming together.
And I sat back and I said, all coming together.
And I sat back and I said, "Waiter, get me a drink."
Because it was just, for me,
I just said, "Wow, took a bloody long time to get there."
My top favourite
Gilligan's Island characters would be
Gilligan himself and the Skipper.
Mary Ann is like that girl next door kind,
and there's no malice in her heart at all.
And she's absolutely lovely.
Women like her are very scarce these days.
Why are people like her so hard to find?
Captions by Red Bee Media Why are people like her so hard to find?
Captions by Red Bee Media
Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation