John Fleming (I)
- Journalist
Press clippings Page 45
A day in the life of the most-fearsome comedy critic
My co-host is Kate Copstick, doyenne of comedy critics. She runs Mama Biashara, a charity based in Kenya where she spends, I guess, half her year.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 15th August 2014Jim Davidson (C word is a Scottish term of affection)
At the increasingly prestigious Grouchy Club yesterday afternoon, conversation between me, my co-host Kate Copstick - doyenne of comedy reviewers - and comedians in the audience turned to comic Jim Davidson.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 14th August 2014Want to become a comedian? - Why? Are you ****ed up?
At the end of yesterday morning's blog, I mentioned the surprisingly not-yet-legendary fact that comics Bob Slayer and Jeff Leach once, in British English, wanked into the face of an audience member at the Edinburgh Fringe. I had heard before of this (in British English) wankathon, but not the fact that an audience member was involved.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 13th August 2014Bob Slayer being ripped-off & pulling-off another comic
The previous day, Bob had sent a text message to me, Kate Copstick and others saying: "I've had a creative breakthrough - I'm not a comedian. I'm a performance artist."
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 12th August 2014Jim Davidson v alternatvie fascists; Jeff Leach
A look at Jim Davidson and Jeff Leach.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 11th August 2014Who started free show & how to sell Irish comedy
"People claim that PBH was the first to perform free shows at the Fringe in 1996. But, in fact, the year before - 1995 - Malcolm Hardee publicised his yet-to-be-published autobiography I Stole Freddie Mercury's Birthday Cake by doing free shows in Edinburgh"
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 10th August 2014Networking with media + comic is threatened with rape
"Performers at the Edinburgh Fringe get worried about the number of bums on seats and I don't think performers should come to the Fringe thinking about audiences; they should come thinking about the media. If you get a full house, the word-of-mouth from that is not going to let you fill the O2 Arena. But, if you get a review in the Guardian or spotted by a TV producer that might get you part of the way. It's all about self-promotion, not bums-on-seats."
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 9th August 2014Audience member urinates on a bag & other extreme acts
Yesterday evening, I saw the Miss Behave Gameshow which involves a lovely male assistant called Harriet and which climaxed with the audience winner going into the street outside Bob & Miss Behave's Bookshop and smashing a mobile phone to bits with a mallet.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 8th August 2014Picking up girls & boys, court case on werewolf erotica
Yesterday in the Grouchy Club show at the Edinburgh Fringe, showman Adam Taffler picked up a girl. Literally. He does it all the time.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 7th August 2014Just some of the many oddities I tripped over yesterday
Publicity is difficult at the Edinburgh Fringe. Acts hand out flyers to people in the street. And try to get articles and photos in the press. Two days ago, I went to a photoshoot for clowns performing at the Fringe. Apart from the clowns, I was the only person there.
John Fleming, John Fleming's Blog, 6th August 2014