Merrick Watts
Merrick Watts | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 18, 1973 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Comedian, radio presenter, television presenter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | One half of the comedic duo Merrick and Rosso; radio shows on Triple J, Nova 96.9, Triple M; television shows including Planet Merrick and Rosso, The Hollowmen, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities |
Merrick Watts (born 18 November 1973) is an Australian entertainer known for his work in comedy, radio, and television. He gained prominence through his stand-up performances and radio shows as one half of the comedic duo Merrick and Rosso with Tim Ross.
Stand-up
Watts launched his career in comedy in 1996, initially collaborating with Tim Ross for a single performance. Their partnership led to extensive tours throughout Australia, where they featured at prominent comedy festivals and authored two books: Merrick and Rosso, The Book and its sequel, Merrick and Rosso, The Book Volume 2.
Radio
In 1998, Watts entered the radio scene alongside Ross on Triple J, starting as occasional contributors before becoming permanent hosts. By 2001, they transitioned to the commercial station Nova 96.9, leading the breakfast program with co-hosts such as Katrina Blowers, Sami Lukis, and Kate Ritchie. Ross exited the show in 2009.
Following this, Merrick remained on Nova's morning slot in 2010 with new partners Scott Dooley and Ricki-Lee Coulter, ultimately departing the station in September 2011.
That same month, Watts joined Triple M to present Merrick and the Highway Patrol alongside Rachel Corbett and Julian 'Jules' Schiller. However, the program was discontinued in November 2013 due to insufficient audience numbers.
Later in 2013, Watts co-hosted the revamped Breakfast show on 2Day FM with Jules Lund, Sophie Monk, and Mel B, succeeding The Kyle and Jackie O Show. In October 2014, Southern Cross Austereo cancelled this show citing low ratings, replacing it with The Dan & Maz Show.
In 2015, Watts returned to Triple M to lead the drive-time program initially titled Merrick and Australia, which was later renamed Merrickville. By 2019, he was hosting a true crime podcast called Police Tape.
Television
The first television venture for Merrick and Rosso was Planet Merrick and Rosso, later rebranded as Super Planet Merrick and Rosso, broadcast on The Comedy Channel. In 2003, they made a guest appearance on the drama series All Saints. That year also saw the debut of their show Merrick and Rosso Unplanned on the Nine Network, followed by The B Team airing on Network Ten in 2005. They returned to The Comedy Channel in 2008 with The Merrick & Rosso Show.
Watts portrayed Nick, a senior adviser to the prime minister, in the 2008 comedy series The Hollowmen. The following year, he took on the role of Marty Johnstone in Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities.
His television appearances also include guest spots on programs such as Thank God You're Here, Rove Live, Studio 10, The Project, All Star Family Feud, Celebrity Name Game, Have You Been Paying Attention?, and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
In 2013, Watts hosted an eight-episode series titled Tractor Monkeys on ABC1. In 2020, he was a contestant on Seven Network’s reality show SAS Australia, successfully completing selection alongside Sabrina Frederick and Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins. That year also featured his role as Captain Jack Allen in an episode of Operation Buffalo.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Character | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Plum | Wocko | Appeared in 1 episode |
| 2021-22 | Celebrity Letters and Numbers | Himself | Featured in 8 episodes |
| 2018-21 | Hughesy We Have A Problem | Himself | Participated in 7 episodes |
| 2020 | SAS Australia | Himself | Took part in 12 episodes |
| 2020 | Operation Buffalo | Jack Allen | Single episode appearance |
| 2019 | Get Krack!n | Mark | Guest role in 1 episode |
| 2018 | Street Smart | Drug Officer | Appeared in 1 episode |
| 2013 | Mr & Mrs Murder | Keith Skinner | Role in 1 episode |
| 2013 | Tractor Monkeys | Himself | Appeared across 8 episodes |
| 2011 | Shark; Broken Seal | Voice role | Short film production |
| 2009 | Underbelly | Marty Johnson | Featured in 1 episode |
| 2008 | The Hollowmen | Nick | Regular role spanning 12 episodes |
| 2003 | All Saints | Lawry | Single episode role |
| 1999 | Super Planet Merrick and Rosco | Himself | Participated in 6 episodes |
| 1999 | Rove | Himself | One episode appearance |
| 1999 | 'Rage' | 'Himself' | 'One episode appearance' |
| Year !Title !Role !Remarks |
|---|
| Tractor Monkeys |Writer and Producer |Contributed to 8 episodes |
Other work
In 2011, Merrick lent his voice to an animated shark character in the series Shaaark, broadening his experience within animation.
Personal life
Watts tied the knot with Georgie Sulzberger in 2006. Together, they have two children. His education was completed at Eltham High School followed by Diamond Valley College.
Studio albums
| Title ! Details ! Highest AUS Chart Position |
|---|
| Choice Cuts (credited as Merrick and Rosso) | Released November 2000; Label: ABC Audio; Format: CD | — |
| From Us to Youse (credited as Merrick and Rosso) | Released November 2002; Label: Sony Music; Format: CD | 52 |
Video albums
| Title | Details |
|---|
| Live And Totally Wrong (credited as Merrick and Rosso) |
|
|---|
Singles
| Title | Year |
|---|
| "Teenage Mullet Fury" (As Merrick and Rosso with The Echuca Moama Sound Machine) |
1998 |
|---|
ARIA Music Awards
Since their inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music industry.
| Year | Work | Category | Outcome |
|---|
|
1999 || Teenage Mullet Fury || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Nominated |
|
2003 || From Us to Youse || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Won |
|
2008 || Live and Totally Wrong! || ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release || Nominated |
Additional Awards
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Perth Fringe Festival | Nominee for Best Comedy Show |
| 2016 | ACRA Awards | Winner of Best Documentary for Modern Warrior, Triple M Network |
| 2009 | ACRA Awards | Awarded Best Station Produced Comedy Segment |
| 2009 | ASTRA Awards | Recipient of Most Popular Male Talent – Merrick & Rosso |
| 2005 | TV Week Logies | Nominated for Most Popular Light Entertainment Program |
| 2004 | ACRA Awards | Winner of Best on Air Team |
| 2003 | ACRA Awards | Awarded Best on Air Team (Metro) |
| 2003 | GQ Man of the Year Award | Won Comedians of the Year – Merrick & Rosso |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1973 births
- Living people
- Nova (radio network) announcers
- Triple J announcers
- Australian stand-up comedians
- Australian television presenters
- Comedians from Melbourne
- Australian male comedians
- People educated at Eltham High School