Words: Claire Smith
Image: Piers Alladyce

So what’s your new show ‘Andrew Maxwell The Bare Maximum’ about?

It is a mixture of topical stuff and stupid stuff. There a lot of serious stuff that isn’t funny – but there’s still lots of stupid stuff out there. I didn’t come to Edinburgh at all last year so I’ve had two years to write it.

And you’ve started a weekly podcast since then?

It’s with Glenn Wool and it’s called Eejits of the World. We’ve been doing it for 18 months now. My wife is a musician so we have a studio at the end of our garden. What we really love are stories about Eejits.

Has it brought you a new audience?

It turns out there’s a venn diagram between people who love stand up comedy and people who love podcasts.

And has it changed the way you work?

I’ve been talking on TV and radio for 30 years now and it’s great to have that sense of agency. You don’t have to wait for someone to phone you up. You’re just out there doing it.

What does Edinburgh Fringe mean to you?

I’ve been here every single year (except last year) for 30 years and I’ve always ended up staying in a different part of the city – so I know it well. This year I’m in Liberton. If you add it up, I have lived two and a half years of my life in Edinburgh.

How have you changed as a comic since you started?

I turn fifty this year. I think there’s a time in life when you realise you don’t have to run – you can glide. There was a period of my life when I lost a lot of people and you have got to take stock.

You used to be much more angry.

I have been blessed with four kids – it’s great fun and it gives you that perspective. What’s all this anger for? It robs you of the empathy you need to be a successful human being.

Andrew Maxwell: The Bare Maximum
Just the Tonic Nucleus – Atomic Room
17:40
Aug 1-11, 13-25