William James Anderson (born 31 January 1974) is an Australian comedian, writer, presenter, and podcaster.
Early life
William James Anderson was born on 31 January 1974 in Sale, Victoria, and grew up on a dairy farm near Heyfield, Victoria. He attended Gippsland Grammar School in Sale, and later studied newspaper journalism at the University of Canberra, graduating top of his class in 1995. He is the cousin of former AFL footballer Stuart Anderson.
Career
Media
Anderson has appeared on Good News Week, Under Melbourne Tonight, What's Goin' On There?, The Project, and Have You Been Paying Attention?
From 2000 to 2004, Anderson co-hosted the triple j breakfast radio show with Adam Spencer. Between 2001 and 2006, Anderson hosted the comedy talk-show The Glass House, broadcast on ABC, alongside Corinne Grant and Dave Hughes. In November 2006, the show was cancelled amid media speculation that the cancellation was made due to pressure from the Howard Government. Howard responded with, "I do not tell the ABC what programmes it should run. I respect the independence of the ABC." In 2007, Anderson was nominated in the "Most Popular Presenter" category at the Logie Awards for his role on the show.
Anderson was the subject of controversy after he made jokes about the late father of Australian Idol finalist Shannon Noll at the 2006 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
From April 2007 to November 2008, Anderson joined with Lehmo to host Wil & Lehmo, an afternoon drive-time radio program on Triple M. He also replaced Mick Molloy as co-host of the station's Hot Breakfast early morning show alongside Luke Darcy and Eddie McGuire in 2018, leaving the show at the end of 2019.
In May 2008, Anderson became the executive producer and host of The Gruen Transfer, a panel talk show about advertising televised on ABC. The show debuted with a record-breaking audience of 1.287 million viewers, the highest-rating debut entertainment program in the history of the ABC.
Anderson hosted Question Everything on ABC in 2021 and 2022.
Standup comedy
While Anderson's television and radio career has made him a recognised figure in Australia, standup comedy remains his foremost discipline. Anderson started his career in newspaper journalism before venturing into standup comedy. In his early career, Anderson made numerous appearances on Good News Week, on both the original and revamped versions. On 19 June 1996, Anderson appeared as the guest comedian on the RMITV Show Under Melbourne Tonight, and appeared with RMITV again on the Under Melbourne Tonight spin-off What's Goin' On There? on 3 June 1998.
Live shows
Anderson has performed at numerous festivals, including Just For Laughs in Montreal. For over a decade Anderson has started every live show with the opening riff from “Back In Black” as a tribute to his late friend, comedian Dave Grant. Since 1997, he has used a pun regarding his first name for the title of his live shows:
Wiluminate (2022–2023) Wilogical (2022) Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout WIL? (2020) Wil-Informed (2019–2020) Wilegal (2018, 2020) Critically Wil (2017) Fire at Wil (2016) Free Wil (2015) Political Wil (2015) What You Talking 'bout Wil? (2015) Wiluminati (2014) Goodwil (2013) Wilarious (2012) Man vs Wil (2011) Wilful Misconduct (2010) Wilosophy (2009) BeWILdered (2008) Wil of God (2007) Wil Communication (2006) Kill Wil (2005) Licence to Wil (2004) Jagged Little Wil (2003) Wil By Mouth (2002) Wil of Fortune (2001) Who Wants To Be A Wilionaire (2000) Willenium and Terra Wilius (1999) I am the Wilrus (1998, 2006 Edinburgh Fringe) Diet Life (1997) Show Pony (a 10-week season with Corinne Grant)
Podcasts
Anderson has created a number of podcasts, including TOFOP, a comedy podcast with friend and actor Charlie Clausen; FOFOP, where he chats with "Guest Charlies" in lieu of Clausen; Wilosophy, where he interviews guests about their life philosophies; and 2 Guys 1 Cup, an Australian rules football podcast with Clausen. He has also expressed interest in starting a Survivor recap podcast entitled Outwil, Outplay, Outlast.