Andrew Johnston (comedian)

Andrew Johnston is a Canadian comedian and writer,[1] most noted for his work on the television series Video on Trial[2] and Roast Battle Canada.[3]

Originally from Brockville, Ontario, he attended Queen's University in Kingston, where he was a president and executive producer of the Queen's Players. After winning the Toronto regionals of The Great Canadian Laugh-Off in 2005, he was nominated for the 2006 Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award.[4] He received a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Stand-Up Newcomer at the 10th Canadian Comedy Awards in 2009.[5]

He began appearing on Video on Trial in the same era, and later appeared on the comedy panel show Too Much Information after the cancellation of Video on Trial.[6]

Apart from his television appearances he has frequently toured on the Canadian comedy circuit,[7] appearing frequently but not exclusively at LGBTQ-themed shows and events.[8] He was the organizer of Bitch Salad, a regular LGBTQ comedy showcase at Buddies in Bad Times.[9] He has also released several comedy albums, including White Devil (2015), *Sips Tea* (2018), A Special Place in Hell (2022) and Pomp & Circumcised (2024).

He appeared in two episodes of Roast Battle Canada season 2, against comedians Tyler Morrison and Cassie Cao.[3] He was also part of the show's writing team, and received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Series, alongside George Reinblatt, Aisha Brown, Jeff Rothpan and Rob Michaels, at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023.

References

  1. ^ Andrew Schwabe, "Toronto Through the Eyes of Andrew Johnston". BlogTO, July 9, 2007.
  2. ^ "Proud to be Hilarious; Three of Canada's best comedians are coming to The Playhouse Aug. 3". The Daily Gleaner, July 25, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Greg David, "CTV Comedy Channel readies up for more jabs with Roast Battle Canada Season 2, beginning June 13". TV, eh?, June 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Bruce DeMara, "Comedy award gives cream chance to rise; Five nominees have shot at $4,000 Honour coveted by young comics". Toronto Star, November 14, 2006.
  5. ^ Megan Mooney, "Canadian Comedy Awards – Nominees announced, let the voting begin…". Mooney on Theatre, July 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Jim Slotek, "TMI's a good thing ; Too Much Information lives up to name". Sudbury Star, November 11, 2014.
  7. ^ "Ha!ifax Comedy Fest unleashes lineup for 2019". Halifax Chronicle-Herald, November 10, 2018.
  8. ^ "Crack Me Up Comedy presenting its first LGBTQ comedy show in Brampton". Brampton Guardian, July 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Rob Salerno, "Last queer comics standing". Xtra Magazine, August 19, 2014.