Edinburgh Fringe picks 2012: podcast folk

The Edinburgh Fringe brochure is, no matter how you slice it, a thumping information overload of a tome. It's hard to even know where to begin – so we've done the work for you, slicing August's bible up into 30 easy-to-consume guides. From the all-important first hours to Fringe favourites, and from the Free Fringe to the best flyers, these are intended as starting points to help you snaffle out the best shows. They're not exhaustive, instead picking out the shows that caught our eye in given categories, but when your brain can't process another flyer we're pretty sure this is the best way to work out what to see.

 

We're publishing them every working day until the Fringe as a sort of advent calendar of comedy, and today we're doing podcast folk. This might be new media but what's noticeable about all these shows is that they have been going a while and have A-grade talent at their disposable. A great addition to the main shows they are all doing. 

 

 

 

 

Pleasance Courtyard, 5-7, 12 August, 23:20

Ed Fringe | Pappy's

 

Four recordings of the popular game show podcast from the Pappy's boys. The quality of the guests is always high, but really, they could have cast-offs from TOWIE in; what it's really worth tuning in for is the anarchic absurdity.

 

The hilarious and anarchic award-winning panel game podcast (2012 Loaded Lafta Funniest Podcast) hosted by Pappy's and with great comedian guests. Set in Pappy's flat - with landlord Matthew in charge - each show sees unruly tenants Ben and Tom battle to avoid doing an annoying household chore. To help them in this high stakes contest they force their houseguests (who have previously included Jon Richardson, Josie Long, Shaun Keaveny and Dick and Dom) to take sides. 'Like Basil Brush meets the Young Ones' (Evening Standard). For more info and to hear past podcasts, http://www.comedy.co.uk/pfs-dtrt.

 

Hear without your ears: 

 

 

 

 

 

Pleasance Courtyard, 8-14 August, 23:20

Ed Fringe | DTRT

 

Like what would happen if the Moral Maze was recorded in the pub. There's just a one-week run of recordings this year, but it's a great chance to see lots of awesome comedians on the back foot: it's all about the guests with DTRT, as evidenced by the Bridget Christie clip below. 

 

The hit panel game podcast (nominated for Chortle and Sony Awards), where comedians work out the right thing to do in any given situation. One minute they might be guessing what to do if they find themselves buried alive, the next they'll be agony-aunting someone whose cat is a bit stand-offish. Hosted by Danielle Ward, Michael Legge and Margaret Cabourn-Smith, previous guests include Al Murray, Shappi Khorsandi, Rich Fulcher, Andy Zaltzman, Bridget Christie, Tony Law and Scott Capurro. 'Very funny, with a tendency towards the peculiar' (Guardian). For more info/hear past podcasts, http://www.comedy.co.uk/pfs-dtrt.

 

Bridget Christie on an episode:

 

 

 

 

 

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 4-10 August, 23:55

Ed Fringe | Universal Genius

 

Surprisingly late-night recording of the cult comedy show that's set out to find a modern renaissance man. The silliness keeps it from choking on its own QI-ness of factual overload, helping the show take on a life of its own of late, with slots at festivals (Latitude and Green Man). Guests in Edinburgh will include Josie Long, Humphrey Ker and Nick Helm.

 

The live comedy quiz show that pits top stand-ups against each other for your amusement. Previous contestants include stars of TV's Live at the Apollo, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI, Mock the Week and Peep Show, so you never know who you'll see competing for the Universal Genius mortarboard. The show is hosted by award-winning comedian Mark Allen 'A total delight' (Time Out) with 'glamorous' assistant Eli Silverman. Rounds include poetry, science, languages, wit, etiquette and hunting. Yes, hunting. 'The bastard child of QI and Shooting Stars' (Chortle.co.uk). www.universalgenius.co.uk.

 

A trailer for the Edinburgh show, featuring Mark Allen looking like a British 1980s version of Ted from How I Met Your Mother: 

 

 

 

 

 

The Stand, 2-27 August, times vary

Ed Fringe | Richard Herring

 

Twenty-five years of Edinburgh. Twenty-five. TWENTY-FIVE. That's how many years Richard Herring has been going to Edinburgh. There will be guests on this show younger than that (probably). Astounding fact aside, it means he is very much the person to listen to in order to find out what's going on in Edinburgh, while getting in comedians both young and old who are worth listening to. Essential stuff.

 

The 'King of Edinburgh' (List) returns for his 25th anniversary Fringe to interview more Edinburgh stars and showcase the best new comedians. Improvised comedy chat and serious chat about comedy. A different show every day, yet reassuringly exactly the same. Last year's guests included Sarah Millican, Adam Buxton, Al Murray and Omid Djalili. Each episode appears on iTunes and the British Comedy Guide on the day to provide Fringe taster for those not lucky enough to be here. But come along for prizes, free tickets and interaction with Edinburgh’s top stars and its reluctant monarch!

 

Slightly old Collins and Herring podcast which is relevant as it is from a PODCAST:

 

 

 

 

 

Pleasance Dome, 1-26 August, 21:40

Ed Fringe | Peacock and Gamble

 

Okay, there's a slight sleight of hand here: this isn't the Peacock and Gamble podcast, which will be available over here daily during August, but for which you can't get tickets. So we thought we'd put in their show instead. Whether live or recorded, you know what you're getting: the sound of two beta lads on the sofa, wisecracking about nothing in particular.

 

That's right! Everybody's favourite comedy nice boys, Ray and Ed, return with another hour of fun, idiocy and very handsomeness live on a stage. Chortle Comedy Award nominees in 2011 and 2012, off of Radio 4 Extra and Russell Howard's Good News (loads). 'Moments of stupendous invention' **** (List). 'A gloriously silly hour in the company of two overgrown toddlers' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Crude, loud and bladder-poppingly funny' (Evening Standard). 'Incredibly enjoyable - can't recommend it enough' ***** (Pete Donaldson, Absolute Radio). We have nine words spare so we're putting this.

 

RuHo's Good News spot:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16, 19, 22 August, 22:30

Ed Fringe | Greg Proops

 

On top of his short run, http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/greg-proops, the erstwhile American is doing three minimalist podcast recordings. What would be a struggle for younger sorts should fly by here though: Proops has enough lines in his pocket that this should be an easy hour for him to fill.

 

It's just Proops and you. There's no fanfare. Proops takes centre stage at a small table and chair, setup with a single microphone. Then he's off. An hour of great conversation that flies by at breakneck speed. Be there and experience joy for once in your life. Download for free at Proopcast.com.

 

Some earlier Proopcasting: