When most people receive an ADHD diagnosis, it’s usually thanks to tests, doctors and other healthcare professionals. But since when has Guy Williams done anything normally, especially when discovering his ADHD diagnosis. The popular Kiwi funnyman’s late-in-life discovery has come thanks to a TV show, ADHD: Not Just Hyper, co-hosted by his sister Maria, a fellow comedian and ADHD sufferer.
“It’s wild, isn’t it?” laughs Guy, 37. “It’s crazy but typical, really. The producers asked me to be in this documentary and when I asked why, they were like, ‘Well, we have a sneaking suspicion…’
“If someone in a family has ADHD, there’s a good chance others have it too, as well as the parents. But my parents are hilarious because they refuse to get tested and they both accuse the other one of having it.”
“It’s strong odds on it’s my mum, but it’s hard to say. My parents barely believe that ADHD is a thing, which is probably very common – before this doco, I agreed with them. So if anyone is like that or is struggling to convince their parents, then come on an idiot’s journey with me!”
While not a surprise to him, Guy’s diagnosis, which doctors confirmed, makes a lot of sense as he looks back on his career. And though ADHD can be debilitating for others, Guy Williams reckons its actually helped him be successful in comedy.
“It’s cool to be able to monetise your flaws,” he tells. “I’m obviously harnessing the power of ADHD for good because I’ve been very, very blessed to be able to make this my job. It makes for good television.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been much of an eye-opener for me – a lot of people have this magic moment where they get the ADHD drugs and it changes their life forever. They take a Ritalin and they can see clearly, but the drugs didn’t work for me.
“On the flip side, I don’t think I’m too badly affected – looking back, I see it largely as a strength. My incredibly loud talking has been an advantage for comedy, but it’s annoying in cafés and when I’m trying to keep a secret.
“And then there’s my erratic driving. After my last speeding ticket, I had to stick little Post-It notes that say ‘slow and safe’ around my steering wheel to pull my s**t together. Also, saying you have ADHD does not get you out of a speeding ticket. Trust me, I tried!”
Working on the documentary with Maria has been both “absolutely nightmarish” and “so much fun”, adds Guy who is incredibly proud of his sister for her ability to talk so openly – and at times, hilariously – about mental health issues.
He explains, “I’m very inspired by her – she did a whole show called ADHD… The Musical?!, so I’m just following her really. It’s been a nightmare situation for my parents, though. They prefer to keep things bottled down.
“But seriously, we need to talk about these things more. It’s amazing the amount of stigma there still is… The other day, I joked in the paper about my granddad being an alcoholic and my mum was very angry at me for disclosing this information because it was embarrassing. “I’m like, ‘Mum, don’t be angry. No one cares! This is New Zealand – everyone’s granddad was an alcoholic. Everyone can relate to that!’”
While Guy and Maria have been diagnosed with ADHD, the third Williams sibling, Taskmaster NZ co-host Paul, seems to have escaped the condition, although he hasn’t yet been tested – he’s the more quiet, considered one in the trio.
However, the fact that all three of them have become comics is quite astounding. Although Guy says that thanks to their wildly comedic differences, there’s no competitiveness – except for board-game night.
“Last time we played, my brother stormed off because my dad was trash-talking him so much,” tells Guy. “But in terms of comedy, we’re all really supportive.”
“I honestly think we all became comedians because we’re just all really privileged. We grew up reasonably well off, so we were lucky and were able to choose what we wanted to do. We weren’t talented enough to be actors or good enough at sport to be athletes, so comedy it was.”
It still begs the questions, though – out of all the Williamses, who’s the funniest?
“Probably, and quite accidentally, my dad,” laughs Guy. “He’s like Mr Bean come alive. He’s an absolute parody of a human being. He told me the other day he didn’t believe in sunscreen. I looked at him and the sun had burnt half his face off.
“Maria’s in that camp too – very funny but often not in control of why she’s hilarious and that’s why I love her. But in terms of actual jokes? Paul. I’m definitely the least talented but the loudest.”
ADHD: Not Just Hyper screens 7.30pm Monday 16 December and will stream on TVNZ+.
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