Janeane Garofalo

Ten things we know about the 2018 Fringe

Hundreds of Edinburgh Fringe shows went on sale yesterday, bringing the total to 582 in the comedy section alone. Here are ten things we've learned from this batch, the last before the official programme is released online on May 17.

Janeane Garofalo joins the cast of Foreign Bodies

Janeane Garofalo will guest star in the recurring role of Sam, a seasoned traveller who, after 20 years working in tourism and visiting exotic places, has very much had her fill.

Amnesty Secret Comedy Podcast episode 12

Janeane Garofalo tells host Mark Dolan about seeing the light and Tig Notaro reveals what kept her laughing through cancer. Plus sketch comedy from Foil, Arms and Hogg on the joys of Ryanair, stand-up from Matt Okine on how to make good toast and Shaun Keaveny on being addicted to Breaking Bad, a show about addiction.

Moz tries to call in his debts but a surprising number of his mates are conveniently skint. Meanwhile, Nikki's sister is falling for Cartoon Head, despite Nikki's warnings to steer clear. This seventh series is warming up nicely (after Paul Weller's ace cameo last week) and which other UK sitcom can boast the subtle, un-starry presence of Janeane Garofalo in a supporting role, back to her Larry Sanders best? Graham Duff's ability to write seven of these incredible series (and play one of its funniest characters) should be enthusiastically applauded.

It's a queer cove of a show, this. The action never staggers far from the hovel of hash 'n' weed seller Moz (Johnny Vegas), so there's no variation of location - and often, his stoner customers simply take turns to arrive, act funny for a bit and leave, so there's not much story to grab onto. Losing your concentration would be forgivable and, perhaps, appropriate. But the eclectic supporting cast are worth staying awake for. This episode offers a hilarious pop duo - berks in leotards and Phil Oakey hairdos - and Sean Lock, who straps on his breasts again as dour transsexual Natalie. Most excitingly, Moz's new neighbour is played by Janeane Garofalo, once a star of The Larry Sanders Show.

The line-up seems to change as often as the cast of your average soap but somehow this comedy music panel game has endured. Since the show's inception in 1996, Mark Lamarr and Simon Amstell have had spells as presenter, and Sean Hughes and Bill Bailey have both taken the role of regular team captain. Only Phill Jupitus has lasted the distance. Even the tone of the show has changed over the years - particularly after Amstell took over presenting duties. He put his own quirky, irreverent and somewhat juvenile mark on the programme and when team captain Bailey quit last year he referred to the guests as "gormless indie twerps". Now Noel Fielding (of The Mighty Boosh fame) will take the captain's seat opposite Jupitus, and Amstell will be replaced by guest presenters (beginning tonight with Gavin & Stacey's James Corden). Whether the show will survive after such a flurry of changes remains to be seen. Although Buzzcocks has long since left the illusion of improvisation behind, it has certainly become much "trendier" in recent years and, thanks mostly to the wit of Amstell and Jupitus, it has remained entertaining. Now one must hope that Jupitus can carry on that tradition alone. Joining the teams this week are the potentially dull Tom Clarke of indie band The Enemy and singer Paloma Faith but fortunately actor/comedians Ben Miller and Janeane Garofalo should help keep the proceedings lively.