Andrew Nicholls
Born
Andrew John Nicholls

(1957-07-14) 14 July 1957
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, television writer, executive producer, playwright, musician, short story writer, poet
Known forFilm, television, animation, radio, stand-up comedy, comic strips
Children1
Darrell Vickers
Born
Darrell Vickers

(1957-07-17) 17 July 1957
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, television writer, executive producer, playwright, musician
Known forFilm, television, animation, radio, stand-up comedy, comic strips
Children1

Andrew John Nicholls (born 14 July 1957) and Darrell Vickers (born 17 July 1957) are an English-born Canadian writing team. They were head writers of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 1988 to 1992. Both their families moved independently from England to the same town in Canada, and they met in junior high in 1969, where they began collaborating almost immediately. The duo moved to Los Angeles in 1983 to continue their careers, and are members of WGA, WGC, SACD, SOCAN, ACCT, and ATAS.

Career

Nicholls and Vickers began writing music and comedy together while at Ridgeway Junior High School (now École élémentaire Antonine Maillet or Antonine-Maillet Elementary School) in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. After high school they wrote for stage, radio, TV, syndicated cartoonists, and stand-up comedians.

From 1979 to 1982 they performed in Southern Ontario as Nobby Clegg and the Civilians, after having received airplay at Brampton alternative station CFNY-FM with home-recorded songs. The band found some success with the singles "Essay - Me Dad" and "I Wanna Be in Commercials", which were also included in the 1981 compilation Toronto Calling. Nicholls and Vickers later used the band's name for a character on the Showtime show Rude Awakening. In that series, the Nobby Clegg character was played by Roger Daltrey, best known as the lead singer of The Who.

From 1986 to 1992 they helped write 770 hours of produced material for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, earning four Emmy nominations, and were the show's head writers from December 1988 until Carson's retirement on 22 May 1992.

In 1997, the pair received a Genie nomination, Best Animated Series, for Ned's Newt (Nelvana). They also received a WGC nomination for the series in 1999. The title character was voiced by Harland Williams and was cited in several interviews as one of the favorite TV shows of legendary cartoonist Ed Gorey.[1]

In 2001, the two received a Gemini nomination for "Best Comedy Series" for their work developing, writing the pilot, and serving as story editors on John Callahan's Quads!.

The duo were nominated for a Pulcinella Award, Best Animated Episode, at the 2003 Cartoons on the Bay Festival in Positano, Italy, for both The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and The World of Tosh. They were again nominated for the Pulcinella for Best Kids Series at the 2015 festival, for Pumpkin Reports.

In 2008, Will & Dewitt was awarded a Gemini Award for Best Pre-School Series. Nicholls & Vickers wrote the series bible and 28 episodes, and served as story editors.

Vickers co-founded a music band in 2008 called Death of the Author Brigade — which was formed through the internet (none of the band members have met in person). The band broke up in 2013. See Solo Projects (Vickers) for additional details.

In 2010, Nicholls wrote a revealingly honest exposé about the entertainment industry and the life of a Television writer and Showrunner, Valuable Lessons: How I Made (And Lost) Seven Million Dollars Writing For Over A Hundred Shows You Never Heard Of.[2] See Solo Projects (Nicholls) for additional details.

Since 2012, Nicholls has published short fiction in Black Clock, The Santa Monica Review, Cosmonauts Avenue,[3] The Boiler Journal,[4] New World Writing,[5][6] Literature For Life,[7] Kugelmass, The Sherman Oaks Review of Books, Shark Reef,[8] and elsewhere.

Between 2015 and 2017, Vickers commenced on several solo television projects: executive producing the first season and writing two episodes of Hitting The Breaks (2015–16); writing the sitcom pilot for Chasing Tail (2017); creating and writing the pilot for the reality cooking show, Feast of a Lifetime, starring Lynn Crawford (2017); creating the reality show, You're the Boss (2017); and writing for the hour-long comedy drama, Marley Roberts (2017).

In 2016, MOJAVE! The Musical — featuring the tagline: "Go Ahead And Run...It Loves Fast Food," with book, music, and lyrics by Nicholls and Vickers — was directed by Mindy Cooper at its first reading on May 25, 2016, in the Della Davidson Studio, UC Davis, California.[9]

In 2019, Nicholls' full-length stage play {LOVE/Logic}, directed by Josy Miller, had its world premiere at the Wyatt Theater Pavilion, UC Davis, California.[10]

Nicholls published a how-to book in 2020 about the work and art of creating comedy for print, TV and stage: Comedy Writer: Craft advice from a veteran of sitcoms, sketch, animation, late night, print and stage comedy.[11] That same year, Nicholls began publishing poetry in the online journal Light: a journal of light verse since 1992.[12][13]

In 2021, Nicholls mounted his play, A Bee in a Jar, with the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance and Catalyst: A Theatre Think Tank, virtually using OBS Studio and Zoom to cast in three time zones.[14]

In 2022, Vickers wrote the pilot script for the television series, Mama Zen.

In 2022, Nicholls' play, Yes, And... won First Place in the Frostburg, Maryland 13th Annual One-Act Play Festival.

As a writing team, Vickers and Nicholls have over 1200 hours of produced television credits, including creating twenty TV series, writing and producing 38 television and radio pilots, and writing and producing over 400 episodes of children's TV (as of 2022).

Partial writing credits

Stand-up comedians

Film

Year Title Credits Studio Notes
1992Noises OffAdditional Material byTouchstone Pictures
2004A Year OffScreenplay byDor Film / DOR Film Productions (Vienna)unreleased film
2006Casper's Scare SchoolScreenplay byCartoon Network

Television

Year Title Credits Network/Studio Notes
19761978We're Only JokingWritersCHCH
1978ScreechWritersCHCH, Megamedia TV
19791980Golden Horseshoe TheatreWritersCHCH
1980FlappersWritersCBC
1983K-KID TVWritersOlympic Films
Thicke of the NightWritersMGM Television, Metromediasyndicated talk show
1984The Love BoatWritersABC
George Carlin's Apt. 2-C aka Apt. 2CWritersHBO, Cablestuff
1985Danger BayWritersCBC Television, Disney Channel
19851988Check it Out!Story Editors, Writers (11 episodes)CTV, USA Cable, D.L. Taffner
19861992The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonWriters (1986-1992), Head Writers (1988-1992)NBC, Carson Tonight
19891991The Tonight Show Anniversary SpecialsWriters (26th), Head Writers (27-29th)NBC, Carson Tonight
1990This World NowWritersCHCH, Megamedia TV
DoghouseWritersYTV
19911992Drexell's ClassCreated by, Creative Consultants, Writers (four episodes)FoxStarring Dabney Coleman
1992Have MercyWrote pilot, Executive ProducersCBS, LorimarStarring Isabella Hoffman and Patrick Warburton
1993The Mighty QuinnsWrote pilot, Executive ProducersWarner Bros., CBSStarring Robert Urich
Death and Taxes aka Death + TaxesWrote pilot, Executive ProducersNBC, LorimarStarring Teri Garr and Craig Bierko
It Had To Be YouWrote pilot, Executive ProducersCBS, Warner Bros.Starring Faye Dunaway
The Trouble with LarryCreated by, Executive ProducersCBS, Warner Bros.Starring Bronson Pinchot and Courteney Cox
1994The George Carlin ShowWriters (two episodes)Fox, Warner Bros.
19941995The Parent 'HoodCreated by, Executive ProducersThe WBStarring Robert Townsend
19951996Campus CopsExecutive ProducersUniversal, USA Network, John Landis
1996Love And MarriageWritersFox
Malcolm & EddieCreative ConsultantsColumbia TriStar, UPN
19961997PearlCreative ConsultantsCBS, Witt-Thomas Productions
19971998The Magic HourWritersFox
1998Hollywood DogWrote pilotHBO Independent ProductionsStarring William H. Macy
Bob and MargaretCreative Consultants (1999)Nelvana, Comedy Central, Channel 4also wrote one story (2001)
Ned's NewtDeveloped by (1997–99)Teletoon Nelvana, Fox Kids
You WishCo-Executive Producers, Wrote one episodeABC, Disney
Smart GuyCreative Consultants, Wrote one episodeThe WB, Disney
Rude AwakeningWrote three episodesShowtime, Mandalay TV
1999The BlobWrote pilotMTV, John Landis
Divorced on MarsWrote pilotSalter Street TV
2000Kevin's CastleCo-Created by, Executive ProducersDisney Channel, Family Channel Canada
2000–2001John Callahan's Quads!Developed by, Wrote pilot, Story EditorsNelvana, Teletoon, SBS
2001–2002John Callahan's PelswickDeveloped by, Wrote pilot, Story EditorsNelvana, Nickelodeon, CBC
2002Inspector GadgetWrote live-action pilotPAX, DIC Entertainment
The World of ToshStory EditorsNickelodeon
2002–2003The CubeCreated by, Wrote pilotThe WB, MTV, Triagereality-series
2002–2004The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy GeniusWrote nine episodesNickelodeon
2003Rocketship BedroomCreated by, Written by, Produced with Bob StaakeDisney Channel
Last GirlsWrote pilotHappy Life of Swedennow defunct production company
Mr. MagooWrote live-action pilotClassic Media
The Fairly OddParentsWrote three episodesNickelodeon
Strange Days at Blake Holsey HighWrote one episodeDiscovery Kids, Fireworksaka Black Hole High
2004Super CooperCowrote pilot script, Developed SeriesDisney TVA, Disney Channelwith creator Steve Billnitzer
W.I.T.C.H.Developed Series, Executive ProducersDisney Channel, Fox Kids UK, ABC Family, France 3, Jetixalso wrote pilot and ten episodes
Futz!Wrote two episodes9 Story Entertainment
2005The Office TempsCreated byGlobal TV, Lone Eagle Entertainment
Super ChickenDeveloped pilotClassic Media
2006George of the JungleDeveloped pilot, Wrote 15 episodesCartoon Network, Classic Media
2007Will & DewittCreated bible, Developed by, Story EditorsYTV, Kids' WBwrote 28 episodes
Back at the BarnyardWrote one episodeNickelodeon
Rocky and BullwinkleWrote fourth season DVD promo shortsClassic Media
Monster Buster ClubWrote two episodesToon Disney, Marathon
Kid vs. KatCreated series bibleYTV, Studio B
Gerald McBoing-Boing (TV series)Wrote eight episodesCartoon Network, Teletoon
2008Casper's Scare SchoolCreated bible, Wrote 18 episodesTF1 (France)
League of Super EvilWrote three episodesYTV, Cartoon Network, Nerd Corps Entertainment
Walter and TandooriDeveloped by, Wrote three episodesImage Entertainment (Montreal)
Noonbory and the Super SevenWrote five episodesDaewon Media
The New Adventures of NanoboyWrote two episodesScrawl Studios (Singapore)
K-9 (TV series)Original developmentJetix UK, Park Entertainment, Network 10 (Australia)
Chateau HofstadterWrote series bible, Developed byARTE France, One Film, Maha Film
Mr. QuaverDeveloped seriesMastran Music Group
2009DreamkixWritersDesign Storm (Korea)
Shaking Dance Squad ForceCreated series bible, Wrote pilotCookie Jar
Rated A for AwesomeWrote two episodesNerd Corps Entertainment
2009–2010Hot Wheels Battle Force 5Wrote three episodesMattel, Nelvana
Peter Pepper's Pet SpectacularCreated series bible, Story Editors, WritersCookie Jar Entertainment, Clockwork Zoo
2011 Decidedly Debra aka Debra!WritersCookie Jar, Family Channel
Health NutzRewrote episodes (two seasons)APTN
2015Pumpkin ReportsWrote 50 episodesBoing (France)internationally syndicated
2018Barbie Dreamhouse AdventuresWrote three episodes, Staff (season one)Netflix, Mattel

Radio

Year Title Credits Network Notes
1980 The Alleged Report Additional Material by syndicated comedy series
The Continuing Adventures Of... Adventureman! Created and Written by CBC Radio comedy series
Countless Travels of Matthew Matics Created and Written by CBC Radio comedy series
1981 Great Canadian Characters Created and Written by CBC Radio series
1983This Day in HistoryMaterial by CBC Radio series

Comic Strip

Year Title Credits Publisher Notes
19792006Frank & ErnestWritten byUnited Mediasyndicated comic strip

Band

YearNameCreditsSongsNotes
19791982Nobby Clegg and the CiviliansCo-founders, Music and Lyrics by
  • Essay: Me Dad aka My Old Man
  • I Wanna Be In Commercials
punk-folk songs (Apple Music, Amazon Music), video for "Essay, Me Dad" on YouTube

Website

Year Name Credits Notes
2004–2005Fezgod.comCreated and Developed by — Design, Graphics, and Art by Bob Staake (his official site)online humour site

Musical

Year Title Credits Venue Notes
2016MOJAVE! The MusicalMusic, Lyrics, and Book byUC Davis – Della Davidson Studioworld premiere May 25, 2016[9]

Solo Projects (Nicholls)

Year Title Medium Notes
2010Valuable Lessons (updated Kindle Edition)ebookHow I Made (And Lost) Seven Million Dollars Writing For Over A Hundred Shows You Never Heard Of[2]
2012(published in various journals)[3][4][5][6][7][8]short fictionsee main article for journal titles
2019{LOVE/Logic}stage playworld premiere May 16, 2019[10]
2020Comedy WriterbookCraft advice from a veteran of sitcoms, sketch, animation, late night, print and stage comedy[11]
2020(published in Light)[12][13]poetry"America's oldest and best-known journal of light verse"
2021A Bee in a Jarstage playvirtual world premiere February 19, 2021[14]

Solo Projects (Vickers)

Year Title Medium Network/Studio Notes
20082013Death of the Author BrigademusicCofounder (internet band where none of the musicians have met in person)
20152016Hitting The BreakstelevisionPureflix EntertainmentExecutive Producer (two episodes)
2016Chasing Tailtelevision (sitcom)Chockstone PicturesWrote pilot, Writer
2017Feast of a Lifetimetelevision (reality cooking show)Bell Media, Team ThickeCreated by, Wrote pilot, starring Lynn Crawford
You're the Bosstelevision (reality show)Wilshire Productions, Team ThickeCreated by
Marley Robertstelevision (comedy-drama)Chockstone PicturesWriter
Bu HousetelevisionChockstone PicturesCreated by, Wrote pilot
2022Mama ZentelevisionPink Light ProductionsWrote pilot
Snow Dogs!televisionSteve Gerbson ProductionsDeveloped pilot
20222023Sisterhood of SurreypurtelevisionBaweja ProductionsCowrote pilot and bible

References

  1. Gorey, Edward. "Interview: Edward Gorey (Newsday)". Emdashes, Modern Times Between the Lines.
  2. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Valuable Lessons: How I Made (And Lost) Seven Million Dollars Writing For Over A Hundred Shows You Never Heard Of".
  3. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Hurting Myself". cosmonautsavenue.com. Cosmonauts Avenue. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Slow Time". theboilerjournal.com. The Boiler.
  5. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Our Committee". newworldwriting.net. New World Writing.
  6. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "They Were The New Cats". ewworldwriting.net. New World Writing.
  7. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "The Thing On Treufel's Arm". litforlife.wpengine.com. Literature for Life.
  8. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Effort". sharkreef.org. Shark Reef.
  9. 1 2 UC Davis Press Release. "Free Workshop of MOJAVE! The Musical". arts.ucdavis.edu. UC Davis.
  10. 1 2 UC Davis Press Release. ""{LOVE/Logic}" Spring Quarter Production – Wyatt Pavillion Theatre". arts.ucdavis.edu. UC Davis.
  11. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Comedy Writer: Craft advice from a veteran of sitcoms, sketch, animation, late night, print and stage comedy".
  12. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Follow the Bouncing Molecule". lightpoetrymagazine.com. Light.
  13. 1 2 Nicholls, Andrew. "Your Future". lightpoetrymagazine.com. Light.
  14. 1 2 UC Davis Press Release. "A Bee in a Jar – Catalyst: A Theatre Think Tank". arts.ucdavis.edu. UC Davis.

Interviews

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