Luke McGregor’s Scottish odyssey comes with cows, snakes and a Pokémon objection
The comedian discusses heritage, animal encounters, mental health and the pop-culture franchise he compares to cockfighting.
Luke McGregor’s journey into Scottish heritage involved the expected haggis and kilt, alongside a less conventional encounter: examining a cow with a vet. Speaking to The Guardian, the comedian and actor recalled being persuaded by Shaun Micallef to check whether the animal was with calf.
The experience formed part of season two of Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, in which McGregor explored his roots. He said he loved haggis, while admitting he was more concerned about being kicked than about the practicalities of the examination.
Animals featured again in an account of the Logies, where McGregor said Robert Irwin placed a snake on him without warning. He recalled that it briefly began constricting his neck, but said he trusted Irwin’s experience with animals.
The interview also turned inward. McGregor said he has anxiety, OCD and ADHD, and that he wishes he had sought professional help earlier. A psychologist’s reassurance that many people had experienced similar problems helped shift his understanding of them.
His most pointed pop-culture view concerned Pokémon. McGregor said he dislikes the franchise, comparing creatures kept in Poké Balls and made to battle with cockfighting. The comparison was offered as his personal opinion, delivered with an awareness that it might prove unpopular.
Season two of Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey airs on SBS at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights and is available to stream on SBS On Demand.
