Johnathan Walton

Johnathan Walton is a Jamaican born, four-time Emmy Award winning, comedic TV reporter, stand-up comedian and TV producer. His TV career began at WSVN-TV the FOX affiliate in Miami, Florida as a Special Projects segment producer. He later moved to San Antonio, Texas to be the Comedy TV reporter at KABB-TV the city’s FOX affiliate and then he did a 5 year Comedy TV reporter stint at CBS in Houston. Currently he’s living in Los Angeles writing, doing stand-up comedy and producing TV Shows.

Beginning

*Born in 1974 on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica, he was raised by his Jamaican-Lebanese mother and grandmother.
*Attended Prep School in Kingston, Jamaica
*In 1992 at the age of 17, Walton graduated from Campion College, a Jamaican high school extolling the virtues of a British Colonial education.
*Johnathan moved to South Florida to attend Broward Community College.
**Graduated two years later with an Associate of Arts Degree in Television and Radio Broadcasting
*Moved to Orlando, Florida to attend University of Central Florida for two years.
*Finished degree at Florida International University in Miami with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcasting.

Television

*Hired in 1998 at FOX Miami(WSVN-TV) as a Special Projects Segment producer.
*Hired at KABB FOX 29 in San Antonio on June 5, 2000 as Comedic TV Reporter.
**Had a 3 minute segment titled "Walton's Window"
*One year and eight months later, he was hired at KHOU-TV, the CBS affiliate in Houston, to be the Comedic TV reporter on 11 News This Morning, where he worked until July 2007.

Television Shows

Walton has self produced six 30 minute primetime specials for KHOU.The titles and dates they aired are;
*Christmas in Walton's World - December 2002 - Won Emmy
*The Best of Walton's World - December 2003 - Won Emmy
*The Best of Walton's World Strikes Back - December 2004 - Won Emmy
*Walton's World Gone Wild - December 2005 - Won Emmy
*The Best of Walton's World: Summer Blowout - August 2006
*Walton Prime - December 2006

Hosting

Walton has hosted many events in the Houston areaIncluding
*2005 MTM Texas Music Awards [ [http://www.texasmusicawards.org/MTM/2005/index.htm] "Walton Hosts the 2005 MTM Texas Music Awards"]

Criticism

Houston Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman has frequently referred to Walton as a "class clown" and writes "he's not funny." He says that Walton is the weakness of KHOU. [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/hoffman/3559816.html] "Houston Chronicle Humorist Ken Hoffman says Walton is the weakness of KHOU-TV."]

Awards

*Has won four Regional Emmys for his Primetime TV Specials for CBS Houston.
**2006 Emmy for Walton's World Gone Wild aired Dec. 2005. KHOU-TV Houston Johnathan Walton, Reporter [ [http://lonestaremmy.org/_emmy_awards/overview.php] "2006 Lone Star Emmy"]
**2005 Emmy for The Best of Walton's World Strikes Back aired Dec. 2004. KHOU-TV Houston Johnathan Walton, Reporter [ [http://lonestaremmy.org/_archives/2005_winners.php] "2005 Lone Star Emmy"]
**2004 Emmy for The Best of Walton's World Gone Wild KHOU-TV Johnathan Walton, Reporter [ [http://lonestaremmy.org/_archives/2004_winners.php] "2004 Lone Star Emmy"]
** 2003 Emmy for Christmas in Walton's World show. [ [http://www.ahbelo.com/pressRelease.x2?release=20041020-593.html] "Belo Press Release"]
**Gave his first Emmy to his mom, who put it on her mantel.
*2004 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters First Place Light Feature. [ [http://belo.com/pressRelease.x2?release=20040311-363.html] "Walton wins First Place Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award for Light Feature"]
*Numerous Houston Press Club Lone Star Awards
*2003 Houston Chronicle Award for "Baffoon." Described as "A pudgy, puckish clown for the 21st century," [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ultimate/people/2082232.html] "2003 Houston Chronicle calls Walton "Funny and smart"]
*2006 Houston Chronicle Award for Funny Person on Local TV. Described as "tickles us best" [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ultimate/05/media/3345833.html] "2006 Houston Chronicle says that Walton "tickles us best"]

Other Notables

*His Comedic TV Reporter website http://johnathanwalton.com/
*His mini TV pilot for "Some Stupid Show" http://somestupidshow.com/

References