Q&A: Sayville's Colin Macy-O’Toole featured on ‘Below Deck’

Colin Macy-O’Toole is everywhere. The proud Sayville alum starred on the Bravo reality TV show “Below Deck Mediterranean” for two seasons and more recently starred on “Galley Talk” on Bravo, a show where former “Below Deck Mediterranean” stars provide commentary and laughs on the show’s new episodes. The Suffolk County News caught up with Macy-O’Toole to see how he was doing and to ask him some burning questions about his hometown.

Long Island Advance: You do a lot of work with local businesses on Long Island. How important is it to you to support local Long Island businesses?

Macy-O’Toole: I just love Long Island so much that all these smaller businesses that may need a little more publicity or especially during the pandemic, they may be hurting financially. I want to kind of be like a voice to them and just kind of reach out to not even Long Islanders, but people from all over the country if it’s a service they can provide to them and to just support them in a way. Just to get their name out there. It’s a weird time right now, but anybody that reaches out to me and needs help, I have no problem helping them out in that regards.

Long Island Advance: Your rap videos have gained a lot of traction. (Macy-O’Toole created rap recaps for episodes of “Below Deck” that went viral.) What is the creative process behind those?

Macy-O’Toole: I don’t think I even know that myself (laughs). These silly raps, a lot of them I do for Bravo commercials so they’re “Below Deck”-related. I try and nail the main points, so say it’s about a show; when does it air, who’s on it, and maybe a snippet of what the show is about. I just kind of get my Dr. Seuss on and rhyme certain things and go with the flow, so to speak.

Long Island Advance: How long do they take you usually?

Macy-O’Toole: It takes me a couple hours. I have to make the beat. I write out the lyrics, which takes some time. A minute rap takes me, with having to record it, probably two-plus hours.

Long Island Advance: What was it like shooting at home for national TV with “Galley Talk”?

Macy-O’Toole: It was a great change-up to the actual “Below Deck” show for me. It’s not a work environment. (“Below Deck” follows the lives and drama of a crew on an expensive charter boat). That’s what makes “Below Deck” so popular; people are working, so you have to be serious, and you have to focus on your job. But the “Galley Talk” show that Bravo asked me to do with Bobby [Giancola]—two people just hanging out, having drinks, eating and just commenting. You’re on the other side of it all now so instead of being on the boat, you’re commenting on other people, which has been a lot of fun. You just get to goof around, make fun of people. Bravo is obviously known for its drama, so it’s a great show just to laugh for an hour and put a smile on your face.

Long Island Advance: What’s your favorite part about being from Long Island?

Macy-O’Toole: I think what I love about Long Island is the pride of being from Long Island that people have. There’s just so much to do here and [it’s] such a fun place to live.

Long Island Advance: Favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Sayville?

Macy-O’Toole: That’s a good one. I bounce around; I don’t really have a favorite place. Bistro [25], Crickets, in the summer you have Kingston’s, Cull House. Especially now with the pandemic, just supporting in any way you can, and I love eating and drinking, so I frequent all those spots all the time.

Long Island Advance: Best fan experience you’ve had?

Macy-O’Toole: I’ve done BravoCon in the city. That was a blast. I met Jane Krakowski from “30 Rock.” She was asking me questions about the show. My favorite that hits home is when I go out to the store or something, a fan will stop me and they’ll say “Thank you for representing Long Island,” or “Thank you for representing Sayville so well,” and that really means a lot to me because obviously with the whole Jersey Shore-type vibe, Long Islanders have a stereotype. So for people to tell me that, it definitely puts a smile on my face.

Long Island Advance: Do you have a favorite reality TV show besides “Below Deck”?

Macy-O’Toole: I love “Million Dollar Listing.” I do love “Southern Charm.” Even, “The Bachelor.” I try to keep up with all of them.

Long Island Advance: What can we expect from you coming up?

Macy-O’Toole: I’m working on a couple TV gigs right now. I just finished being a casting producer for one of the new “Below Deck” seasons that’s coming out soon. So, I’m busy. So, stay tuned, you’ll see me soon.