Steve Hall is back performing stand-up after a few years away. Time to catch up with him...

1. Tell us about your career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I've had a splendid time since first giving it a crack in 2002. I was runner-up to Rhod Gilbert in the 2003 BBC New Act Competition and we were doing a show together that same year. I did 4 Edinburgh shows as We Are Klang with the obese Greg Davies and the psychopathic Marek Larwood. We had a TV show. We have a live DVD that might get released one day.

I've written for several series of Russell Howard's Good News, and opened for him on tour about 250 times, including at the 02 and Wembley Arena twice. I'm in three seconds of a pop video starring the pedantic comedian Daniel Kitson, and occasionally fill in on Frank Skinner's Absolute Radio show. Looking back on all that, I'm pretty damn happy.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Ooh, very Jim Carrey. It's a happy show featuring knitting, photographs, and some truly sensational paintings that will sear themselves into your retinas.

3. Why are you putting yourself through this famously stressful experience?

Having spent a lot of time writing on some telly programmes, this is a return to stand-up. I haven't done Edinburgh for four years, and I've really missed it.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I'm on 5 minutes after Alun Cochrane starts 100 yards down the road. When he sells out, I'll snaffle his cast offs.

5. How much money do you think you'll lose/make this year?

Have Avalanche Records found a new site? If they have it could get ugly.

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

We did Fred MacAulay's radio show in front of a live audience in the Spiegeltent. I had a face drawn on my arse from the night before which Fred invited me to show the crowd. I happily did, and then as I slowly pulled my trousers and pants back up I simply turned to face them, so that a large number of pensioners saw my penis and testicles. It was pretty erotic.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Anything that Don't Be Lonely are producing.

8. If you took over programming a venue, what would you perfect line-up of comedians be?

The Doug Anthony Allstars, Patton Oswalt, prime era Jasper Carrott, Sammy J & Randy, Mitch Hedberg, Ed Petrie doing his old cartoons.

9. Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

Myself. I'm a boring old twat.

10. Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,700+ other comedy offerings at this year's festival?

Because it's at the very least in the top 1650.

'Steve Hall: Zebra' is at 6:35pm at The Stand Comedy Club 5 and 6 on 6-16, 18-30 August. Listing