Hello Podspawn,

Hope you are enjoying 2012 so far, the year of ultimate doom for this planet. I trust you have broken all your resolutions already.

As promised, and just a little late (4 months give or take), here is the chat I had with the very funny, charming and fascinating Saif Abu Kandil at the Edinburgh Fringe in August of 2011.

A little bonus extra for all my Podspawn out there who just can’t wait till their next fix of Frogcast.

We record the next episode on January 29th so get your emails in now too: podspawn@gmail.com

Let John and myself know what went on with your holidays, best presents, worst presents, any disasters befall you? If they are funny I’ll read them out on the show.

On my last night of performing I threw an impromptu live Frogcast recording before my regular film night: As Narrated By. The fabulous duo Bob and Jim came down after their show Modern Urges at the Underbelly to do a quick set and have a chat and play us a few comedy songs.

After the recording myself, Bob and Jim, the audience and a few comics watched No Retreat, No Surrender (JCVD’s first major film role) and Only The Strong (the 90’s first capoeira martial arts movie.. maybe ONLY capoeira martial arts movie) and proceeded to demolish our way through 7 bottles of Jagermister between us.

All in all a good night.

I have a rare treat for you, a couple of sacrificial Fringe Virgins. The delightful duo of Greg Haiste and Marie Lawrence who are up here doing their show How To Make It Huge.
Let their youthful joy wash over you as we sat in the Tron Penthouse and let them tell you what its like to be a couple of noobs pulling in 4 star reviews.

In the Brookes Bar of the Plesance Dome I sit down with the fantastic Geordie comic Chris Ramsey, who has just been nominated for the main prize that all comics performing at the Fringe covet; The Fosters Comedy Award.

He gives me his reaction to the nomination and we discuss what its like to now be one of the big boys and the nasty taste left by balls in your mouth (listen and you’ll understand). I’ve known Chris since the start of my career in comedy and I could not think of a more deserving or lovely guy to be nominated.

Again I lure a comic to th heights of the Tron Penthouse, where I meet a Fringe legend: Janey Godley; comedian, author, actress, playwright, ex-pub landlord in the East End of Glasgow, and the woman who gave Jerry Sadowitz his first ever gig.

Described as:

“Scotland’s funniest woman… the Godmother of Scottish Comedy” (The Scotsman)

“The most outspoken female stand-up in Britain” (Daily Telegraph)

Over the hour we discuss comedy, the Fringe, her own fascinating personal history, her mother daughter podcast, her book “Handstands In The Dark” and much more besides. She was one of the most interesting, open and lovely people I’ve ever met at the Fringe, and this is a woman who has had a gun held to her head and laughed.

If you want to find out more then visit http://www.janeygodley.com for mechandise, podcasts and more.

I got the chance to meet up with the delightful Kate Smurthwaite; comedian, Fringe Board member, journalist and political activist. We discussed the the politics of the Fringe, the rising costs, her comedy history and how thongs are out this season.

One of British TV’s best loved comedians, radio presenters and all round lovely guy; Phill Jupitus sits down with me before his sell out Edinburgh Fringe show to discuss life at the Fringe, his return to stand up after a decade and quitting Twitter. The Frogcast would like to thank Kate Horlor and Darren McMahon for their help salvaging the audio. Love you guys.

I chat with Kai Humphries after his show “Barefaced Cheek” at The Wee Coo in the Udderbelly Pasture.  Relaxing back at the Tron Penthouse we discuss the Fringe, other acts worth seeing, and the art of trying and dying on stage. Kai was a previous guest of the live show, check out The Preston Frogcast, Episode 4: “The Fabulous Four” for more from Kai.

I catch up with Richard Sandling, star of Peep Show, after his Edinburgh show; Richard Sandlings Perfect Movie. Whilst sat in the bar of the Cameo Cinema we discuss all things comedy, films and Fringe.