The Edinburgh Interviews 2017: James Adomian
James Adomian is a highly acclaimed American stand up comedian and impressionist whose new show, Lacking In Character, explores the implications of being a gay man in Hollywood. Adomian will be performing at the Gilded Balloon throughout August.
1) What excites you most about the Edinburgh Festival?
The castles and the tents and the parades of jesters from far and near! And I think there was a food truck that I will try to find again.
2) What is your first Edinburgh show about?
Well I did a short set over a long weekend a couple of years ago, so I guess this year will be my true Edinburgh debut. It’s called Lacking in Character and it’s a look at being gay in Hollywood, and also several other things that don’t fit the theme but I think are funny.
© Luke Fontana
3) Does your comedy attract a certain type of audience?
Winners. Upward focused winners who might be gay or have a gay brother or something, but odds are they’re some variety of straight (going on raw numbers). Also leftists. If I were Jeremy Corbyn I’d come to the show and probably get a solid chuckle out of it, even though I didn’t necessarily “get” every single American reference in the act.
4) What is the worst experience you’ve had with Edinburgh accommodation?
All I remember from my brief weekend run was the more or less constant sound of shattering bottles of booze on the cobblestones outside.
5) What is your most treasured memory of your comedy career so far?
The late legendary Don Rickles was backstage when I had my first TV gig on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson some years back. I was very, very nervous and as I walked off the set and there was Don Rickles who came up and hugged me and said I was terrific. Then he said I had a terrible name for showbiz and slapped me in the face, which in hindsight seems about right.
6) What show will you definitely be seeing at the festival this year?
I’m in some thick company! Definitely love Aditi Mittal, Sean Patton, Andy Daly, and maybe most of all Red Bastard!
7) What do you hope to gain from the Edinburgh Festival this year?
Short term, personal economic advantage.
8) What do you imagine your last ever show will be about?
Something about the universe and Alan Watts.
BOOK TICKETS FOR JAMES ADOMIAN: LACKING IN CHARACTER, AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL