Andrew Searles is a Montreal-based comedian who got his start in comedy by sharing experiences about his ethnic background, his dating experiences, and his reflections on contemporary challenges on the Canadian comedy circuit. His insight-filled comedy style can be found in performances around the country from coast to coast. In addition to being featured on XM Sirius Radio’s “Just for Laughs Canada,” Andrew has been listed in the Montreal Mirror’s “Top 10 Best Stand-up Comedians in Montreal” for four consecutive years. He was also a finalist in the Los Angeles KLIQ Comedy Competition and one of the Top 10 finalists in the Russell Peters XM Sirius “Best Funny Five” competition.
How would you describe your comedy style?
I talk about my personal life experiences. What’s my life like being single? What’s life like when all your friends are getting married? Having kids? What’s life like being black growing up in Canada? Or as a black Canadian now living in Los Angeles? I bring a lot of that to the stage.
Who are some of your influences?
Russell Peters, Dave Chappelle, Sugar Sammy.
Big time influencers of how to view the world through the eyes of a minority and/or immigrant, and make it funny.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I grew up watching ‘Just for Laughs’, and another Canadian stand-up show called ‘Comics’ and ‘Comedy Now’ on TV. So I grew up watching Dave Chappelle, Russell Peters, Ronnie Edwards, James Cunningham, Wanda Sykes, Stewart Francis, Kedar, Ron Josol, Richard Jeni, and so many other 90s comics, whether they were American or Canadian.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
The two comics I’ll immediately stop what I’m doing to watch their latest special: Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock. The best in the game.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I’m in my own world. I don’t like being in the showroom while the show is going. I’m off to the side. In the green room. Outside of the venue. Usually just pacing. Tap dancing. Psyching myself up. Making sure I hit all my notes when I’m on stage. I never take my material for granted thinking “I know it, so I don’t have to rehearse it”. I go over it, over and over again, to make sure it hits in the places it’s supposed to hit.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Absolute Comedy Ottawa. Best crowds anybody can ask for. The audiences in Ottawa are HUNGRY for comedy. You get off stage and you feel like a rock star. Something about Ottawa, just feels so damn amazing.
Some comics will complain that the room is too easy, and to them I say “For every crappy show you’ve ever had to endure in this business, Absolute hands you a show that makes you feel you’re the biggest thing in comedy when you get off stage, and yet you still complain??” Can’t please everybody, unfortunately.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
There was one bit I wrote back in the mid-2000s, about cities in Quebec sounding like places in Africa. That was the first bit where I finally understood the structure of a joke. It wasn’t just because it was funny, but I understood why it was funny. I understood the proper setup and punchline of the joke, and why it worked. The fundamental building blocks of comedy. It was at that point on, I started writing better and better material.
These days, the most recent joke I wrote is a bit called “Haunted House”, which is actually featured on my latest album ‘Worth It!’ and without giving away the spoiler, a lot of people come up to me after the show talking about how relatable it is.
When audiences approach you after a show going “That bit you did? About getting old? Wow, you certainly hit the nail on the head with that one”.
What I always find pleasing, knowing the audience understands exactly what I’m going through, and vice versa.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Netflix, but now mostly YouTube. Comedy Central and HBO used to be the gold standard for showcasing the next generation of new comics. Then people aspired to have a comedy special on Netflix. But it seems these days that people are skipping the gatekeepers and releasing their own special straight to YouTube. YouTube’s algorithm will even say “Like Stand-up comedy? Here’s 12 more comedy specials on the side of your current video”’
But something about stand-up in the 90s was just so much better. Not sure if it’s the nostalgia that I miss, but watching comics on Just for Laughs in the 90s and early 2000s, I feel the quality of material was significantly better. You saw them and you understood why they were there, because they brought their A game. I watch a lot of specials today and within 4min I’m on my phone, barely paying attention.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I’d love to tell you a joke about Montreal, but the Quebec government would then force me to tell you the joke only in French.
In order for me to tell you the joke in English, you must “attest in good faith” that you belong to an exempt group such as Quebecers who have the right to English-language schooling, Indigenous people and immigrants who have been here for less than six months.
If you can, then please press 9, now to hear the joke in English.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
TWO comedy albums! My premiere album “Papa Chocolat!” is available here. And my latest album “Worth It!” is available here.
Where can we follow you?
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Gino Durante, James Mancini, Charles Daghlian and Paul Baluyot
