If You Heckle Jimmy McGhie He'll Lose His Temper

Jimmy McGhie says he was the inspiration behind his own MICF show, which he describes as "a funny, bruising, soulful, honest, dark and delicious hour of stand-up about drugs, exercise, family drama and death". "Honesty is important to me in stand-up so I try to talk about things that really happened," he continues. "In a funny way." According to the Winged Goddess Of Victory promotional blurb, McGhie's show "may include: Brazilians, a Nike-sponsored graffiti artist, his father’s three greatest knockouts, a cockney sportswear guru and the best way to cancel a phone contract." 

"May include: Brazilians, a Nike-sponsored graffiti artist, his father’s three greatest knockouts, a cockney sportswear guru and the best way to cancel a phone contract." 

When asked whether he thinks there's anything that comics shouldn't joke about, McGhie offers, "Comedy comes from tragedy and 'gallows' humour is an important part of the human psyche. It can provide much-needed relief from the reality that the world is a hideous cesspool of greed and inhumanity. I do however feel that sometimes comedians can be reckless with sensitive subject matter, blaming the audience for their conservatism whereas actually the joke just isn't good enough to justify saying it." McGhie recalls recently laughing his ass off in response to, "A brilliantly timed and delivered piece of ironic racism from a fellow comedian, which served to satirise the reactionary nature of our current 'offence' culture."

McGhie believes the perfect audience for his material would include "people who enjoy the fine line between comedy and tragedy". When it comes to stand-up comedy shows, McGhie personally thinks an hour "can often feel too long". "An hour-long show needs a story or a narrative to keep you invested, or a particularly charismatic performer with great ideas who can hold your attention for that long." For "straight stand-up", McGhie recommends "45 minutes would be more suitable".

On when he realised he just had to become a comedian, McGhie tells, "When I came to the realisation that the only thing that truly matters to me is getting a laugh from someone." So what could he imagine himself doing if the comedy thing didn't work out? "Making television programs about weather and daydreaming about being a comedian." 

He admits he suffers through "constant, gnawing self-doubt" at the writing stage and becomes "wildly superstitious and whimsically OCD" before a show. So what about afterwards? "I enjoy any adulation on offer," he confesses, "before heading off to meet some other comedians to talk about other comedians and drink vodka, soda and fresh lime. Then usually some bastard will spike me with an espresso martini and I will go to bed at 7am."

When McGhie hits our shores for the Comedy Festival, he's looking forward to, "Feeling like part of a genuine collective of artists and performers all striving to make the world a better place. Also lots of brunches." Other shows on this year's MICF program that McGhie is looking forward to checking out include Carl Donnelly and Best Of The Edinburgh Fest.  

If you're planning to catch Winged Goddess Of Victory, you might wanna keep heckling at bay since last time he was heckled McGhie confesses, "I lost my temper, creating quite an unpleasant atmosphere in the room."