Cal Wilson

What the critics have said:
"…..close to a work of art" The Age, Melbourne
"100% festival gem…." Inpress, Melbourne
"Frenetic, furious and crammed with laughs..."  Emerald Hill Times
"An absolute joy to watch" Capital Times

Cal Wilson is a Kiwi comedian who makes a lot of Australians laugh!  With her role as host of ABC’s new television series ‘Sleuth 101’, Cal’s 2010 looks to be an exciting one.  This is a brand new format, a whodunit game show with a comic twist, airing in the first part of 2010.
 
Just when Cal thought she might have a bit of spare time in her day this year, she has quickly jumped back into radio, filling in on Vega breakfast with Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickinson.  Spending the first few months on breakfast radio has made for another busy start to the year.  Having co-hosted mornings on Nova 100 with Dylan Lewis in 2009 and co-hosting ‘The Wrong Way Home with Akmal and Cal’ in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth markets for two years, Cal is one of the most well rounded media talent in the country. She is also well recognised in Australia for her hugely successful Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows and her many appearances on television shows such as “Spicks and Specks”, “Good News Week” and “Thank God You’re Here”.  

Cal has written for and appeared in Channel 10’s comedy sketch series “SkitHouse” and “The Wedge” and regularly appeared on Triple M’s radio shows “The Shebang” & “Get This with Tony Martin” before moving to her regular role on NOVA.  She was asked to appear as celebrity contestant on Channel 7 “Dancing with the Stars”, she loved the challenge and wearing all the fancy frocks!

Cal’s recent Adelaide Fringe Festival performance demonstrates her enormous talent as a stand up comedian.  Her one woman stand up shows “Cal Wilson Lively” and “Up There Cal Wilson” at both the Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festivals in 2007 consistently received exceptional reviews.

“She’s Gone for a Spekkie and scored a goal!”  The Age Review.
“Cal Wilson grabs this notion like a well worn Sherrin and runs with it.  And there’s no doubt she’s going to kick a magnificent goal from well outside the 50.”  MX Arts Review.

Cal started her comedy career in Christchurch, with the improv company "The Court Jesters” and was part of the winning team at the 1994 World Theatresports Championships in Los Angeles. After coming second on "A Bit More After 10", a televised comedy competition, she moved to Wellington and gained a job writing and performing for the long running TV sketch comedy "Skitz". She continued to improvise,
with Wellingtons professional company "The Improvisers". She was subsequently invited to perform at the International Theatre Improvisation Festival in Amsterdam in 1995. Cal moved to Auckland in 1996 to continue her live comedy, and appeared in various drama series including her a core cast role in TV2s "Street Legal."

In New Zealand, Cal performed in all seven series of TV2's national showcase "Pulp Comedy", and appeared in the NZ televised series of "Scared Scriptless”. Her one hour "Pulp Comedy" Showcase Special screened on TV2 last year. She has voiced and written for comedy radio serials, "Starship Cortina," "Caffeine Comedy Hour," and "New In Briefs”.

Following the success of her one woman festival show "Hell Kitty" in New Zealand, Cal took the show to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in April 2001, where she received the "Best Newcomer" Award.  Following her MICF 2003 solo comedy show, "Bride and Prejudice", Cal moved to Australia in 2003 and was immediately offered a regular role in “Skithouse” on Channel 10. She has toured Australia twice as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow in 2002 & 2004.  

Describing her career as muesli ("lots of intriguing little bits and pieces adding up to a nutritious whole") Cal also voices ads for commercials; has had her own column ("Calzone') in "Cleo" magazine, and regularly writes for "She" magazine.

Cal is constantly in demand as an MC for Festival showcases in New Zealand and Australia.  Cal is also a wonderful corporate performer and very popular in this market. She has the experience and ‘know how’ to deal with the situations that can arise together with the profile and appeal to gratify a wide spectrum of audience. Cal’s stand up career has been well rewarded and recognized over the years. In 1997 she was awarded the inaugural "Billy T Award" for up and coming comedians, by the New Zealand Comedy Trust, and was included on the judging panel in 2001. In 2000 Metro Magazine named her Best Comedian of the year. She received the "Best Newcomer" Award at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2001. In 2002, Cal and her fellow "Willy Nilly" writers were awarded the "TV Guide New Zealand Television "Best Script, Comedy."


Talent Manager:

Melissa Le Gear
mlegear@profiletalent.com.au