The Hour

Jim Jeffries is a comedian not best known for his family-friendly material.  Following a string of sell-out tours and an HBO comedy special, Jeffries is currently reaching the height of his particular talents and is looking forward to yet another run of shows that will undoubtedly be as successful as they are offensive.

Being in The Hour studio is giving Michelle and Jim a good chance to catch up, since, according to Jim, they "shared a moment" at a previous Edinburgh Fringe. Although based on Michelle's reactions to his reminiscence it is perhaps best that what happens at the Fringe stays at the Fringe.  "Ok, leave it there, let's leave it there!" she exclaims at one point...

Speaking about his particular brand of comedy, Jim is quick to point out that he isn't just an act based on offensive material: "People call me an offensive comic, but I'd say I'm a storyteller, personally."

Even if he is a storyteller, some of the topics about which he tells stories are certainly closer to the bone than anyone you might find appearing at the Edinburgh Book Festival.  Topics such as religion and degenerative diseases are where he plies his trade, always hoping that if anyone in the audience does take offense they will at least have the powers of reasoning to understand that the jokes are not about them personally.

"You can't police every single topic; you just have to hope that people are rational enough to think 'that's not about me'" he explains.  "No-one's ever offended by the whole show, they're always offended by one joke."

Not that he has managed to avoid confrontation with his act.  In one infamous episode Jim was actually punched by an audience member while fellow comedian Michael McIntyre sat backstage.  Thankfully he has managed to make light of even this, and the retelling of the event has made it into his stand-up show.

Unsurprisingly for a comedian that trades on the more risque side of comedy, problems like this are never far away - a recent spat with Kelly Osbourne and her mum Sharon fast became entertainment-news fodder (and no doubt provided some new material for his comedy show).

If you want to sample some of Jim Jeffries inimitable brand of stand-up for yourself he will be appearing at Udderbelly's Pasture during the Fringe from 5 - 30 August.

More information on the show can be found here