Wil Anderson names comedy’s three brightest stars

Wil Anderson has named the three young up-and-coming comedians who he thinks are destined for greatness.

Wil Anderson has been at the top of Australia’s comedy game for more than 20 years, and he’s still going strong.

The 50-year-old regularly performs stand-up around the country, he hosts a couple of incredibly successful podcasts, and he appears on a number of TV shows including Question Everything which returns to screens this Wednesday.

Among his chaotic schedule, Wil also finds time to nurture the next generation of Australia’s comedians through something called ‘The Next Up Initiative’.

Wil told news.com.au what it’s all about, and named the three up-and-coming performers he’s most excited about.

Let’s start with Question Everything. Season Four starts on the ABC this Wednesday night. What is it you love about the show?

My great passion has always been collaborating with other comedians, and I love that Question Everything gives me the chance to make a show where I can work with everyone from legends of the industry, to emerging stars and people just starting out on their comedy journey.

I love that the show doesn’t want the comedians to do anything but be as funny as they can possibly be.

Plus, I get to sit next to Jan Fran and pick her brilliant brain weekly which makes me smarter by osmosis.

Question Everything returns on Wednesday 9 October at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview

Most people probably aren’t familiar with ‘The Next Up Initiative’. Can you give us a brief explanation of what it’s about?

One of the broader aims of the show (Question Everything) is to give less experienced comedians a chance to get a start in the industry.

I have always admired the way producers like the team at Good News Week or the legends at Working Dog have tirelessly tried to encourage new and diverse talent.

At Question Everything we have an intern program for emerging writers to give them experience of what it is like to work in a TV writing room, combined with a program to give newer comedians panel experience in a TV studio.

In practical terms what that means is each week, as well as the episode of Question Everything that goes to air, we run another version of the show with different panellists (the only difference being that there is no studio audience).

This gives comedians the chance to be in a studio, making a show, and see how it all works without it being the pressure of their first TV appearance.

We have used that process to bring new guests to the show, but also to hopefully provide comics with studio and writing experience that they can take to other opportunities outside our world.

You’re a big believer in helping new talent – who gave you your big break back in the day?

I am not sure in my career if I have ever had a big break, more a series of small to medium breaks that I jumbled together to make some sort of career.

That said, Dave Taranto was incredible when I first started comedy, giving me gigs at The Cheese Shop in Melbourne where I could perform alongside my comedy idols.

Pam Swain and Ted Robinson gave me a chance on Good News Week, and Adam Spencer put up with my bulls**t enough for us to make a few hours of memorable radio together.

Executive producer Ted Robinson with Mikey Robbins, Julie McCrossin and Paul McDermott on the set of Good News Week in 2000. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Can you tell us about three up-and-coming comedians who you think have a very bright future?

Brett Blake has a brilliant mullet and a comedic mind to match.

When it comes to diversity in comedy, one area that is often overlooked is genuine working class credentials and Blakey has them in spades.

He is one of the few comedians who can actually claim to have built some of the venues he has performed in.

But don’t let the looks deceive you, because Blakey is also one of the sharpest minds in contemporary Australian comedy.

On stage he is not afraid to show his vulnerability and take on complex issues, all while being one of the funniest laugh per minute comedians working.

Blakey has an incredible story to tell and I can’t wait for more people to hear it.

Brett did several of our panel rehearsals before making his debut on Question Everything last year.

Brett Blake describes himself as "a beer drinking, dirt bike riding loud mouth".

Jordan Barr is a star, and I am not just writing that because it rhymes. Some people might know Jordan as the host of Weekend Breakfast on triple j, but I got to know her as part of the Next Up Initiative on Question Everything.

She showed that she was not only a brilliant writer, but also an engaging and modern panellist with sharp jokes and presentation.

Jordan has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the cultural Zeitgeist. I mean, who else can explain the nuances of TLCs Sister Wives, while explaining which planets in the solar system represent the children from The Sound of Music.

(I don’t really understand anything I wrote in that last sentence, but Jordan does and manages to make it hilarious.)

I can’t wait to see more of Jordan’s comedy and, if nothing else, every time I work with her I learn more about the Teen Mom TV series.

Jordan Barr has a big future ahead of her.

Takashi Wakasugi is Japanese but has lived in Australia for the last five or so years.

Waka has funny bones.

Despite some cultural and language barriers, he has quickly developed a loyal following of those who don’t need to understand every word that comes out of his mouth to know that he is one of the funniest people going around.

Takashi has been a regular panellist as part of our Next Up Initiative and has been killing it on the live scene, winning the Directors Choice at the MICF and recently had his talent recognised by the most respected team in Australian comedy, Working Dog, with the team casting him in an episode of Thank God You’re Here.

Waka is also a contestant on the next series of Taskmaster Australia and is going to be a comedy star on the world stage.

Hopefully you may also see him on the panel of a certain show on the ABC very soon …

Takashi Wakasugi has upcoming shows in Melbourne and Geelong.

Question Everything returns on Wednesday, October 9 at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview

Originally published as Wil Anderson names comedy’s three brightest stars