© Linda Blacker
Recognisable from television shows such as Impractical Jokers and The Midnight Beast, Eric Lampaert is preparing to bring his latest hour, Alien of Extraordinary Ability, to Edinburgh. This new show explores how the comic views his place in society, and the world as a wider notion. Lampaert’s act is a fascinating culmination of cultures, drawing on influences from different corners of the globe and performing in multiple languages.
To learn more about Eric’s comedy, I asked him these seven questions…
1) What things other than stand up do you take part in at the Edinburgh Festival?
As well as my show ‘Alien of Extraordinary Ability’, I am doing a movie improv show called ‘Comedians Cinema Club’ in which a group of comedians get together and recreate your favourite films in under an hour. It’s alcohol fuelled chaos. In fact, most of the Edinburgh Festival is alcohol fuelled chaos.
2) Who do you miss?
The award has to go to my wife. She’s brilliant. She’s also a total pain in my ass, but I am one in hers too (Not sexual innuendo) (Or is it?).
3) What are you ashamed of?
I can’t burp. I have to stick my fingers down my throat if gas needs to come out. It’s gross right? I’ve met another person who has that same problem.
4) Where is your favourite place to perform stand up?
There are a few places that are good for different reasons. The UK is great because audiences are comedy savvy but also moody pricks. Which means that your joke has to work really well. So then, you import yourself to other countries like Canada or USA where audiences are more happy, and you’ve got yourself a sweet cocktail of comedy. Same goes for moody France and excited Quebec.
5) What is your greatest achievement?
Being with your Mum last night. BOOM! Lads lads lads! (Right guys?). But seriously, without meaning to show off, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a few. I guess having a role in the upcoming Luc Besson movie is pretty ace! Or I just did Quebec TV gala in French and got a standing ovation, which is always an ace feeling. I also once took an unbroken turd that was at least 30cm long. Not exaggerating. It was so big one end disappeared into the pipes while the other end poked out like a tanned Loch Ness Monster.
6) Does imitation anger or flatter you?
I can’t see how imitation should anger anyone. I assume most comedians imitated their favourite comedians when they first started. My first ever gig is online. T’was the Chortle comedy competition (yeah, that was my first gig!) You can tell I was inspired by Eddie Izzard but listened to Russell Brand’s podcasts.
Imitation is complimentary. Plagiarism, on the other hand… and not, “ooh, you have a similar joke” but “you have the exact same joke!” is the thing that triggers my anger!
7) Is Britain a good place to live?
Well I now live in the US. Los Angeles has to be more exact/of a prick. But I just recently moved there. I was however in Britain from the ages of 12 till 19. And I did love it. So many great things about it: NHS, free museums, Sunday Roasts, the constant desire to drink alcohol to forget about the existential crisis etc. But there are many great things about every country.
ERIC LAMPAERT BRINGS HIS SHOW ‘ALIEN OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY’ TO THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL