Michael Legge: What A Shame

So: what can you tell us about your new show?
It's a largely autobiographical piece about how it's fine to be an idiot. If you're a hopeless idiot then you're going to make people feel better about themselves. You're providing a service. Us idiots are heroes.

Your new show is about embarrassment - do you find that your embarrassment threshold is higher than most people's?
I'm not sure I have an embarrassment threshold. It's hard to embarrass me now but only because everything I've ever done or said has been so embarrassing that I'm completely used to it. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

You recently - and temporarily - changed your Twitter account from 'Michael Legge' to an adorable Tiny Owl. How did that work out for you?
Right. Well, you're avoiding the question but, yes, I sort of loved being a tiny owl for a while. The tiny owl said so many horrible and twisted things but he got away with it because you can fit him in the palm of your hand and he has really big eyes. Hard to argue with something that cute. The BNP could learn a lot from a tiny owl. Are you a big BNP fan?

Have you found that Twitter - your use of it, or other people's - has had an impact on your live shows?
Hmmm...you didn't say no so this has got really awkward. Anyway, what Twitter has done for me is it's given me the confidence to actually do my own show. I have a very small but committed audience who I'm delighted to say support my shows and blogs and podcasts. My audience is called Neal, by the way. Nice man. Look, I don't want to go on about this but you're not really in the BNP are you?

Any top tips for avoiding embarrassment during the Edinburgh Fringe?
Why do you keep changing the subject? Well, you could avoid embarrassment at the fringe by not handing out your hate-leaflets, you Nazi. Also, if you're a comedian you could avoid embarrassment by not having "Star of..." on your poster. "Star of Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow"? Sorry, are you Michael McIntyre? No. No, you're not. You're Hal Cruttenden and don't you forget it.

How have you found being a team captain on Do The Right Thing? Any hints for who we might expect as Edinburgh show guests?
It's fantastic. All the hard work is down to Danielle Ward and Ben Walker. Margaret and I just turn up and say stupid things. I know we have a couple of big name comedians doing it in Edinburgh, one is a slightly more traditional comedian and we're delighted to have him. You should definitely come along. Who would you like to see guesting on the show? Nick Griffin, perhaps?

Are there any acts you're particularly looking forward to seeing at the Fringe this year?
Oh my God! I mean if you hate Nick Griffin you could just say "No, Michael. Don't get Nick Griffin on your show, he's a dreadful wally," but you didn't. You just glossed over the whole subject. Man, you really need to check out your morals because you clearly have issues that don't belong in today's society. I don't want you going to Edinburgh if that's how you're going to behave. BUT... if you finally change your outlook on life and put your swastikas in the bin then I recommend Bad Musical, Claudia O'Doherty and Nick Doody. But seriously, sort yourself out, ok?

Last month, Michael Legge made internet history by previewing his new Fringe show on Twitter. It didn't go well. You can read the whole sorry mess here.