Melanie Bracewell

Melanie Bracewell has established herself as a significant talent within the comedy landscape of both New Zealand and Australia. From the early stages of her career, she quickly gained recognition for her writing abilities and stand-up comedy, earning awards such as the Billy T Award. Her writing contributions span across notable television productions, demonstrating her versatility. This includes her work on all three seasons of ‘Wellington Paranormal,’ a show from Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, where she wrote episodes featuring diverse comedic scenarios, including supernatural and alien themes. She also contributed as a writer to ‘7 Days,’ ‘Have You Been Paying Attention (NZ),’ and ‘Mean Mums.’ Melanie has been a regular presence on New Zealand television, serving as a panelist and performer on various shows, which has broadened her audience reach.

Bracewell’s career progression saw her transition from a prominent figure in the New Zealand comedy scene to gaining recognition in Australia. She became a popular contestant on ‘Have You Been Paying Attention (AU)’ and is currently the host of the Network 10 series ‘The Cheap Seats’ alongside Tim McDonald, a role she took on in 2021. Her stand-up performances have taken her across New Zealand and Australia, and she has had the opportunity to open for established international comedians like Jim Gaffigan in 2018. Additionally, she performed at a pro showcase at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York, further expanding her professional experience.

Beyond live comedy and television writing, Bracewell has demonstrated her talents in radio as an announcer and producer for six years at ‘Radio Hauraki,’ where she also hosted her own weekend show. Her comedic reach extends to social media, with her tweets being featured on platforms such as Buzzfeed, Playboy, and The New York Times. A notable global moment in her career was when her impressions of Jacinda Ardern, the then-Prime Minister of New Zealand, went viral, garnering coverage from international news outlets including The Guardian and the BBC. In 2021, her show ‘The Rumours Are True’ had a sell-out season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and won the Director’s Choice Award.