Brian W. Foster

Photograph of Brian W. Foster, by Ray Kachatorian from "The World of Critical Role".

## General Information

### **Born**

November 23, 1982 (age 41)
Long Beach

### **Profession**

* Writer
* Producer

### **Critical Role works**

* *Between the Sheets*
* *Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch*
* *UnDeadwood*
* *Handbooker Helper*
* *"Critical Role: Bar Room Blitz" (Sx21)*
* *"Trinket's Honey Heist" (Sx27)*
* *"Talks Machina: Campaign Wrap-up" (Sx31)*
* *"Honey Heist 2: Electric Beargaloo" (Sx35)*
* *"Critical Role and the Club of Misfits" (Sx38)*
* *"Critical Role Campaign 2 Wrap Up" (Sx56)*

## Internet Presence

###  **Tumblr**

Brianwfoster

**Brian Wayne Foster** is the former host and producer of *Talks Machina* and other Critical Role shows, and appeared as a player in several specials.

## **Critical Role**

Brian first appeared in the announcement portion of "Where the Cards Fall" (1x75) to announce the first four episodes of *Talks Machina*, a talk show hosted by himself and co-produced with Dani Carr. The first episode of *Talks Machina* aired on November 15, 2016 and would go on to air every Tuesday, first on Geek & Sundry, then on the Critical Role Twitch and Youtube channels. The show ceased production temporarily during the COVID-19 Hiatus, from March through September of 2020. From 15 September 2020 onwards, it returned in a new, bi-weekly, pre-recorded and socially distant format. Brian remained its host until "*Talks Machina* #161: Discussing up to C2E139 - Rebirth" (TMx161), the last time a Campaign Two episode was discussed. He hosted "Talks Machina: Campaign Wrap-up" (Sx31), a special four-hour episode discussing all of Campaign One, and appeared in "Critical Role Campaign 2 Wrap Up" (Sx56) doing pre-recorded interviews with the campaign's guest stars.

Between the Sheets, a one-on-one talk show, launched in September 2018 with Brian as the host and producer. He sat down with the Critical Role cast members and several other guests to discuss their life and experiences. Each episode was concluded by a short segment where Brian explained how to make the beverage chosen by the guest to drink during the interview.

In February 2019, Brian debuted as co-host of Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch alongside the titular Travis Willingham. The two of them played video games together and were frequently interrupted by puppet characters, played by Critical Role staff and cast members, to reveal the lore of the Gameverse. The puppets called Travis "the chosen one", while Brian was roundly insulted and belittled, sometimes quite harshly. Beginning 21 April 2020, due to the hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the show was re-named "Yee-Haw Off the Ranch" and instead featured Ashley Johnson as Brian's co-host, with the show being filmed from their home.

On August 16, 2021, Critical Role and Brian announced that he would be moving on from the company to focus on personal projects. In July 2023, Critical Role Productions removed almost all content featuring Foster on their channels.

### **Brian's Player Characters**

*See also: Player characters played by Brian Wayne Foster*

* Kingston LaForge ("Critical Role: Bar Room Blitz" (Sx21))
* Liam Las Vegas ("Trinket's Honey Heist" (Sx27) and "Honey Heist 2: Electric Beargaloo" (Sx35))
* Brian ("Critical Role and the Club of Misfits" (Sx38))

Kingston LaForgeLiam Las VegasBrian
### **Episodes DMed by Brian**

Brian and Ivan Van Norman created UnDeadwood, which Brian also GM'd. Undeadwood was the first miniseries produced by Critical Role, with a total of four episodes airing in fall 2018. The miniseries used the *Deadlands: Reloaded* setting for the Savage Worlds RPG system.

## **Other Works**

→ See also: Brian's IMDb profile

Brian is a writer, poet, and singer/songwriter. He is the author of *Blackened White*, a best-selling series of short stories and poetry released in 2012. His first EP of original music titled *Odessa* was released the following year.

## **Personal Life**

Brian played a home game of Dungeons & Dragons with Steve Blum and Logic, including *Critical Role* regulars Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Will Friedle. Logic is a close friend of Brian and has also appeared on *Between the Sheets*.

Brian and Ashley Johnson began dating in 2012 and announced their engagement in December 2018. They lived together with their two dogs, Henry and Bullock.

In May 2023, it was reported that Johnson separated from Foster.

In October 2023, Ashley and six other women, two of which are current *Critical Role* employees, brought a civil suit against Foster alleging domestic violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery and assault, and stalking.

## **Trivia**

* Brian is often made fun of by members of the cast as a running joke, and Brian himself feeds into this constantly. Common jokes include the facts that he smells like a cabbage, is kept locked in a cage between appearances, and is a generally unpleasant person.
	+ In an episode of State of the Role where Marisha gave a video tour of the new *Critical Role* studio, Brian appeared inside a locked metal cage used for storing equipment. Marisha gave him water through the bars, acting like he was an animal in a cage.
* On *Talks Machina*, Brian liked to "#ThankMyGuests" with names that are either mispronounced or wordplay that sounds close to their names. He also did the same when crediting himself. Here are the names Brian used for himself:

* Crying Game Foster
* Friar Boston
* Buy Him Plain Pasta
* Liam O’Brian Wayne Jody Foster
* Affordable Chris Hardwick
* Crying Jody Foster
* Brian N. Faster
* Buying Wine Faster
* Bananas Strain Faster
* Brian “It’s Actually Five Attacks” Foster
* Brian "the host makes me wanna gouge my eyes out" Foster
* Buyin' Plain Lobster
* That Gen Con Outfit Was Bananas Foster
* Biting Wench Fondler
* Bring Doublemint Frosties
* Blindspot, Wrap Faster
* Bardic Lovin' Rasta
* I'm Astray Without Her
* Swearin’ Away Off Screen
* Cryin' Where Are You Yasha
* One More Round of Trost, Sir
* Would You Like To Buy Some Drugs Officer
* Crying, Lame Hoster
* Supplyin Laughs For You Monsters
* Lying About Parole Officer
* This is the closest Ashley has sat to me
* Mall Cops Watch Harder
* Drow in Waterways Hostile
* Logic Went Platinum!
* Acid Champagne Quaffer
* Paddling Way Faster
* Dryin' Whiskey Coaster
* I'm Sorry My Cabbage Jokes Lost Ya
* Please Sir Can I Talk Some More
* Arsequeef's Soft Serve
* Likin' My Posture
* Addin’ Cali to the Roster
* The Last of Us 2 Should Come Faster
* Projectile Tears Cost Extra
* Had Ashley, but Lost 'er

## **References**

1. ↑  Critical Role (@CriticalRole) on Twitter: "Let’s all wish @brianwfoster the best as he embarks on some wild new creative endeavors. We have nothing but mad love and support for our Cabbage Lord, and want to thank him for his creativity and contributions to CR over the years." (2021-08-16).
2. ↑  **Brian W. Foster** (@BrianWFoster) on Twitter: "I’ve had the absolute time of my life making shows and playing games and traveling the world with my best friends. I’m grateful for their support and encouragement as I chase my own dreams. I’m excited to just be a Critter again." (2021-08-16).
3. ↑ Law, Eric (July 10, 2023). "Critical Role Removes Hundreds of Videos from YouTube". *Game Rant*. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
4. ↑  Steve Blum (@blumspew) on Twitter: "D&D lives!" (2017-02-20).
5. ↑  Ashley Johnson (ashleythejohnson) on Instagram
6. ↑ Segarra, Edward (May 23, 2023). "'The Last of Us' actress Ashley Johnson files restraining order against ex-boyfriend". *USA Today*. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
7. ↑ Panella, Chris; Teh, Cheryl (May 23, 2023). "'The Last of Us' and 'Critical Role' star Ashley Johnson filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, saying she's endured 'many acts of terror' over years of abuse". *Insider*. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
8. ↑ Smith, Ed (May 23, 2023). "The Last of Us star files domestic violence order against ex-boyfriend". *PCGamesN*. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
9. ↑ Hoffer, Christian (October 4, 2023) "The Last of Us Star Ashley Johnson and Six Others Sue Brian W. Foster for Abuse". *ComicBook.com*.
10. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (October 6, 2023). "'Critical Role' Star Ashley Johnson, Six Other Women Allege Physical and Verbal Abuse By Brian Foster". *Variety*.
11. ↑ White, Abbey (October 6, 2023). "'The Last of Us' Star Ashley Johnson and Six Other Women Allege Sexual, Physical Abuse by Brian Foster". *The Hollywood Reporter*.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Photograph of Brian W. Foster, by Ray Kachatorian from "The World of Critical Role". This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.