Friendly Fire

by Wil Anderson

Some of you will know Wil Anderson as "the bloke who sits in the middle on that ABC-TV show with the weird name" (The Gruen Transfer); or "the one who wasn't Corinne or Hughesy on that show that used to get in trouble all the time" (The Glass House); or maybe even "the guy who hosts Spicks and Specks" (That's actually Adam Hills but he gets that a lot.)

You might have also heard him on the radio playing the "Wil" part of Wil and Lehmo on Triple M, a show that was described by one critic as "being on the same time as Hamish and Andy".

For five years he also got up at a time most people consider "last night" to be "the one who knew lots about Buffy but nothing about maths" on the much-loved Triple J Breakfast Show with Adam Spencer.

Wil also does a bit of writing, and for the last six years has written a regular column for the Sunday Magazine (Herald-Sun/Sunday Telegraph) and authored a best-selling book called Survival Of The Dumbest which he can happily boast is "over 250 pages without pictures".

But it is stand-up comedy that is Wil's true passion. He has proudly told "dick jokes for cash" in pretty much every comedy club and festival in Australia, and taken his knob gags international at all the major festivals from Edinburgh to Auckland to Montreal, and graced some of the most famous stages in the world in New York and LA.

In 2008 Wil was named GQ's Comedic Talent of the Year, and given an excellent trophy which he immediately misplaced while drunk at the after party.

Genres: Comedy, Nonfiction, Autobiography

256 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

William James "Wil" Anderson is an Australian comedian.

Reviews

[Roksy]

Full of relatable anecdotes and hard hitting one liners, this book is classic Wil Anderson. A lot of it will be familiar to any of Wil's fans, as I am, with numerous jokes and comments taken straight from his stand-up shows, though with a little more room for discussion. Overall, an enjoyable insight into his life and thoughts.

[bigmuzz]

this book is exactly like his first book, with the same style of layout and writing, and the same style of humour. a lot of the material was familiar to me, as it is all from his newspaper columns throughout the past year. that being said, it is still a quick and easy read that will make you laugh a couple times. anyone who is a fan of wil's tv or standup work should give this a go.

[Meredith Walker]

Some parts of this are quite funny. Many, however, are too forced. The “speaking of which” attempts at cohesive links are lazy, repetitive and cumbersome. “I’ve often wondered..” No you haven’t, you just wanted to force another one-liner into the chapter. Humour doesn’t have to be dumbed done like this to be funny.

[Xanthi]

Very amusing, very Australian. Written in an almost relentless stream of consciousness style, tackling all sorts of topics. If you are a fan of this Australian comedian, you will enjoy. Of not, move along.

[Sean Kennedy]

Anderson strikes again with another collection of zany and zingy columns. (3.5 / 5)

[Arrizona]

Love Wil. Love the book.

[Shawn Stone]

Not as funny as Wil's off the cuff real life banter on shows like "The Gruen Transfer". Humorous at times, but altogether too dumbed down for Aussies still struggling with hooked on phonics.

[Jacqui]

This was an extremely funny book that is basically like watching him do his stand up comedy routines. He covers topics such as growing old, weddings, having kids and how to be a proper Australian.

[Cass]

Great book & funny, but I could've done without so much name dropping on every page..

[Maddie]

His two books are the best books ive ever read, i love wil and everything he does

[Cassandra]

It was like watching him do a stand up show! I loved the book, for a light easy read that kept me laughing!

[Olivia]

Entertaining.

[Susan]

Amusing written just like hearing him speak ;)

[Sharon]

Very funny book, reads like a stand up comedy routine, so if you are a fan of this mans comedy routine, you will love this book.

[Steve White]

Enjoyable and certainly had a few good laugh out loud moments.

[Catherine]

Is it weird that as your reading this book it sounds like Wil is narrating it in your head? Yes it's like his other book but that was hilarious too. Factual observation should not be this funny.

[Zac]

forced jokes are ok, but for over 200 pages, some funny moments but struggled to keep me caring