Wil Anderson's Extensive Wil Pun Show Collection Revealed
Australian comedian and podcast host Wil Anderson has disclosed that he possesses an impressive list of approximately 50 more Wil pun show titles waiting in the wings, adding to the 28 or 29 he has already performed throughout his nearly three-decade career. In a candid interview, Anderson shared insights into his creative process, revealing he maintains a dedicated file where he continuously adds potential show names, periodically culling the list as it grows beyond what he realistically expects to perform in his lifetime.
The Adam Hills Confusion: A Humbling Gift
When questioned about professional nemeses, Anderson addressed the frequent confusion between himself and fellow comedian Adam Hills, who previously named Anderson as his nemesis in a lighthearted manner. "I honestly believe being mistaken for Adam Hills is one of the great gifts of my life," Anderson reflected. He elaborated that even during career peaks, this recurring mix-up serves as a valuable reminder that audiences often don't scrutinise performers as closely as the performers themselves might imagine.
"Sometimes you'd have moments where you think: 'Everyone thinks this or that about me' – and then someone would say, 'Hey, I love you Adam!'" Anderson noted, adding that both he and Hills are well-established comedians, yet approximately half the time when approached by fans, the admirers remain uncertain about which comedian they're actually addressing.
Other Wil Andersons and an Unusual Nemesis
Anderson humorously recounted his changing status among famous individuals sharing his name. "For about 20 years of my career, I was the most famous Wil or Will Anderson on the planet. I think I'm only third now," he revealed, citing American footballer Will Anderson Jr and a Love Island UK contestant as having surpassed him in contemporary fame.
He shared an unusual encounter with his "actual nemesis" – a 15-year-old named Will Anderson who messaged him years ago on Facebook with the simple accusation: "You ruined my life." Anderson responded with characteristic wit: "I was like, technically, I didn't ruin your life – your parents ruined your life!"
Future Show Titles and Career Longevity
Addressing concerns about exhausting his supply of Wil puns, Anderson confidently dismissed any shortage. "No! I actually have a file of them, which I add to whenever one occurs to me," he explained. His collection includes approximately 50 titles he considers strong candidates, plus another 20 to 30 he describes as "very tortured."
Some particularly dark-humoured titles are being reserved for his final career stages, including "Terminally Wil" and "Last Wil and Testament," demonstrating his long-term planning and characteristic comedic perspective on mortality.
Chaotic Stage Experiences and Celebrity Encounters
Anderson recalled one of his most chaotic performance experiences, which surprisingly didn't occur during a comedy gig. Years ago, he and radio host Adam Spencer secretly performed as the furry-suited characters Robert Rowley and Theophilus Thistler alongside Australian electronic band Sonic Animation at the Perth Big Day Out festival. "I reckon I lost about 12 kilos," Anderson remembered of dancing before 5,000 people in 40-degree heat while wearing heavy costumes.
Regarding celebrity interactions, Anderson cited two particularly cringeworthy moments. The first involved interviewing Heath Ledger during the actor's Ned Kelly promotion period, when Anderson asked if Kelly's anger stemmed from "really bad hat hair" – a question Ledger clearly didn't appreciate. The second occurred when Anderson, "in the spirit of the Falls festival," subjected musician Paul Kelly to a 20-minute monologue about a particular performance, creating what Anderson described as a "hostage situation."
The Art of Improvisation and Professional Relationships
Anderson's current show features entirely improvised material each night, and he shared his philosophy on successful improvisation. "It's actually much like being an old-school security guard, who has a big key chain that has a hundred different keys on it," he explained. "Each of the keys unlocks something and you've got to realise what keys you have on you and what they unlock."
He emphasised the importance of "react first, examine later" and described improv as "the ultimate mindfulness" because it requires complete present-moment focus.
Anderson also reflected on his enduring friendship with Adam Hills, noting they recently toured together in 2024 to celebrate 20 years of knowing each other. "It was amazing how quickly we found a modern version of the rhythm that we used to have," he observed, attributing their sustained friendship partly to never having worked as a formal duo that might have experienced a professional breakup.
Personal Preferences and Professional Wisdom
When asked about cultural touchstones, Anderson named Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride" as his perennial favourite film, which he first saw at age fourteen expecting "some teen princess movie" but discovered to be "one of the most beautifully written and performed comedy movies in history."
Regarding sleep habits, Anderson described himself as "one of those weird people who can have a coffee after dinner and be fine," though he acknowledged waking sometimes due to osteoarthritis pain. He quoted Bruce Banner from The Avengers to summarise his constant state: "secretly, I'm always tired."
The most valuable professional advice Anderson received came from The Glass House producer Ted Robinson: "Remember it's everybody's day at work." This perspective helped the then-26-year-old host recognise that while performers might be designated "the talent," every crew member deserves consideration since they too will be asked about their workday experience.
Interestingly, Anderson noted that audiences rarely approach him to discuss his television work on Gruen or The Glass House. "Normally they want to talk about my bad hips. Or my podcast. Or Adam Hills," he revealed, adding that he tends to avoid advertising and marketing circles where Gruen might be more frequently discussed.
Wil Anderson's current show "Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout Wil?" continues its Australian tour through multiple comedy festivals until August.
