Biography.
Cally is a natural storyteller full of intelligent, distinctive and punchline-rich material and one of the UK’s most sought-after acts for both comedy and corporate bookings.
She has held senior management positions at some of the biggest media companies in the world including MTV, UKTV and Viacom. Early in her career she headed an independent television production company that was bought by ITV’s Carlton Television (where a certain David Cameron was on the board). She left to set up a successful creative consultancy company, and went on to do a 10 year stint as Senior Vice President at the US studio giant Viacom. There, Cally oversaw a multi-million dollar budget for channels including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount; if you want someone to blame for bringing South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants to the world, you need look no further. She has a Masters in Neuro Linguistic Programming and has worked for many years, alongside her not inconsiderable day jobs, as an in-demand Executive Coach to the great and the good in industry, public life and politics.
It was while working for Comedy Central, on the road with the late, great Joan Rivers, that Cally was nudged into the sphere of performance. Acting as an unofficial business event warm-up for Ms. Rivers, it was she (then 81) who told Cally she had what it took to be a stand-up; and so, as a 45 year old single parent, Cally first took to the stage. She has since become one of the UK’s most-booked professional comedians, with her unflinching, acerbic and intelligent brand of comedy.
Cally’s Edinburgh 2019 show ‘Invisible’ was a sell-out hit, receiving 4-star reviews and ‘joke of the fringe’ picks in the national press. Her debut solo show ‘Super Cally Fragile Lipstick’ in 2017 also sold out and was picked as Best of Fringe by The Arts Desk. Her 2016 show, ‘Cat Call’, with comedy partner Catherine Bohart, received a Malcolm Hardee Award.
In Spring 2021, Cally launched Namaste Motherfuckers, the only podcast where the worlds of comedy, self-help and business collide. With the help of celebrity guests and experts, Cally gets to the stories you’ve never heard before – uncovering not your normal life lessons, but some big ones nonetheless.
Credits.
Cally’s TV and radio appearances include being a regular panellist on BBC’s QI as well as The Apprentice You’re Fired, Radio 4’s Museum of Curiosity, The Unbelievable Truth and Saturday Live. She is a frequent guest and commentator on BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio London and Times Radio.
Reviews.
“Cally is a comedy queen – fiery, intelligent and totally original” – Sara Pascoe.
“Exciting and hilarious talent…she’s got it” – Time Out.
“Properly funny. A real find” – Sandi Toksvig.
“Original and clever” – The Arts Desk.
“Analytical, incisive and sassy” – Funny Women.
“Uniquely funny and original comedic voice” – Andy Engel, Gotham Comedy Club, New York.
“Sprightly wit and considerable storytelling prowess” – The Scotsman.
Video.
