Summary
Overview
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer listener questions covering the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's evolution, villain-wins movies, GTA 6's Netflix marketing deal, song lyrics as criminal evidence, and BBC radio station proliferation. They discuss how the Fringe has returned to its creative roots after shedding expensive marketing costs, debate the best films where antagonists triumph, and explore the complex relationship between artistic expression and legal liability.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival's Creative Renaissance
The Edinburgh Fringe has undergone a significant transformation, moving away from expensive marketing battles and returning to its creative roots. Richard discusses how the festival is no longer just a stepping stone to panel show stardom but has become a place where comedians genuinely hone their craft through 28 consecutive performances. American comedians are increasingly attracted to the festival because costs have decreased and the focus has shifted back to artistic development rather than career advancement, with venues like Monkey Barrel offering better door splits.
- The Fringe is becoming more affordable as marketing costs decrease, no longer requiring expensive poster campaigns aimed at panel show producers
- Performing the same show 28 times allows comedians to perfect their material and see what works with audiences
- American comedians face similar costs to British performers, just adding an airfare on top of accommodation
- Comics are starting to make money at the Fringe for the first time in years, especially through venues with good door splits
- Many performers are already monetizing through Instagram and TikTok, reducing financial pressure
" The whole point of going to the fringe is 28 days of doing the same show, absolutely honing it, seeing exactly what audiences respond to what they don't respond to, and you know in a place where there's an audience who really really wants to come and see comedy. "
" Comics will find a way and if there's something about what you've grown, which the Edinburgh Fringe has grown for years and years and years, it will endure. And comics want to be there. Comics want to be with other comics. "
Personal Edinburgh Experiences and Show Recommendations
Richard and Marina share personal anecdotes from their Edinburgh Fringe experiences, with Richard recalling performing in a terrible production of Danton's Death at age 16 where they had to physically prevent audiences from leaving during intermission. He also remembers watching Rhys Darby (later Murray in Flight of the Conchords) perform to an audience of just two people. David O'Doherty provided several recommendations for standout shows at this year's festival.
- Richard performed in Danton's Death at Lewis Technical College when he was 16, describing it as awful and having to prevent people from leaving
- Richard and another person (now a big TV producer) once comprised the entire two-person audience for Rhys Darby, who gave his all despite the tiny turnout
- David O'Doherty recommends shows including Paddy Young (SNL Weekend Update), Kate Dolan, and Bollywood Spider-Man
- The most talked-about show is Ollie Horn's 'The Most Toast,' where he determines which audience member has eaten the most toast in their life
" We had to stand by the door in the interval so people couldn't leave. "
" The show that everyone is talking about is a guy called Ollie Horn, and the show is simply called The Most Toast. And the entire show is Ollie, by the end of the show, will work out which audience member has eaten the most toast in their life. "
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