Behind the Mic: Hot Comedy

Tell me about Hot Comedy – what's it like?
Hot Comedy is a lovely supportive show featuring pro acts, semi-pros and the best up-and-coming comedians here in Scotland and the rest of the UK. No edgelords here, just actually funny people. We always have really solid lineups of comics who are well-known safe pairs of hands, and a couple of fresher people who we think have star quality.

How did the gig come about?
We started the night in January so our baby is still new: its fontanelle is still soft but we conceived the night in September. We wanted to create a mixed bill night that was truly demographically mixed, reflecting society at large. As we’re fortnightly, we can really curate each lineup carefully which is a privilege. The night features queer, POC, differently-abled, female and non-binary comics, and because we are so super inclusive and woke, white male comics. Someone should give us a medal. 

What was the first Hot Comedy gig like?
The first gig was a real joy. The hilarious Kathleen Hughes headlined and we had Sabina, Alvin Bang, Jodie Sloan and loads more. It was a real celebration of the diversity and talent we have here and we’re lucky to have a really supportive scene.

Hot Comedy has only been going a couple of months but we can honestly say they have all been absolutely fantastic. We have had great audiences and lineups. Our headliners MC Hammersmith, Pheebs Stephenson and Al Stevenson were total maestros in holding the room.

Who'd be on your dream lineup?
Elliott: This one is so tough! Who to pick?! For me, an absolute standout of last year's Fringe, Kemah Bob, would be a dream. Her show Miss Fortunate was so relatable to me. Also Daniel Foxx is a real talent.

Peroni: I would love a line-up of non-comedy figures that, for me, really embody the Hot Comedy spirit: Irish TikToker Danielle Walsh who mixes drinks and finishes them in 0.5s, lesbian icon Amy Spalding from I Kissed a Girl, Ornacia the mannequin head (belonging to Vivacious from Drag Race), and that deep-sea fish found near the surface.

What's been your best bit of comedy/gig-running advice?
Peroni: Not necessarily advice but I studied hosting pretty intensely before we started the show: a good MC can really make a night. The MCs that really stood out to me were Amy Matthews and Jay Lynch at The Stand, George Fox and Liam Withnail at Monkey Barrel and Kate Hammer at All Mouth. None of them target people in a mean or uncomfortable way, they bring the audience in so it feels like a big room of friends.

Elliott: Have fun organising lineups. It reminds me of casting runway shows in NY for my old fashion line. It's the magic of putting people together to enhance everyone's talents.

Who on the comedy scene do you think we should look out for?
Choosing favourites is kind of the opposite of our vibe, (god we sound like dicks) but we truly believe most of our lineups feature stars of the future. They all have such original USPs.

Who's the funniest comedian you've seen and why?
Peroni: I have been obsessed with Celya AB for a while and eventually got to see her at Monkey Barrel in February. It was an extremely giddy moment for me – her writing is just perfect.

Elliott: I couldn’t pick just one. I love Simon Amstell and Michelle De Swarte, who I’ve known forever. They both have really distinctive voices in both senses.

What’s hot right now? 
Elliott: Flares: solar, rescue, and trousers. Cocktails: molotov and alcohol free. Disorder: mental and civil. 

Peroni: Mixing metals, feeding ducks in the park, shoplifting, umbrellas when it isn't raining, and people who look like Victorian children. 

What's next for Hot Comedy? Do you have anything exciting coming up?
We are super excited to have Krystal Evans on in May, with Amanda Dwyer and Maddie HW. But all of our upcoming lineups are hella sexy and we’re very excited for them all. Also, keep an eye out for Hot Comedy at the Fringe.

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Hot Comedy runs fortnightly on Sundays at Bar Fifty, Edinburgh, 6.45pm, free entry
Sun 20 Apr, headlined by Paul McDaniel