Jim Jefferies: Funny Functional

So then, tell us about your show?
It's a mixture of long stories and some mild misogyny.

How have your previews been going?
I haven't done a preview since 2006. I've tried stuff out but I've haven't previewed anything – what you see is what you get.

How are you going to keep it fresh for the full three weeks?
I'm going to write a song about how I hate doing Q&A interviews by email because journalists don't have time to pick up the phone or research their questions properly and then perform it every night. Or not.

Is it ultimately worth coming to the Fringe?
As a punter, yes, to see great comedy. As a comedian, yes, to further your career, get seen, and maybe, just maybe, one day you may get to go on TV.

Do you have a guaranteed, surefire flyering technique?
"Take my flyer you cunt!" Actually I employ Brett Vincent. Do I need to say more?

What's your health regime for the Fringe?
Trying not to drink. If I do get caught there will be no health regime except for pulling myself off people's carpets every morning.

What's the worst mistake people make at the Fringe?
Walking down the Royal Mile

Last year's Fringe was all about the London riots. What major news event do you think will force you to hurriedly rewrite your 2012 show?
If Lady Gaga gets raped or Rhianna gets another beating I might mention it. But I don't do political.

Do you pay your taxes?
Not on DVDs from Amazon I don't.

What was your favourite joke when you were a kid?
Q: What's brown and rhymes with Snoop?
A: Dr Dre

You're known for being a controversial figure. What does your mum think about some of the things you talk about in your shows?
My mum likes me being a comedian. I'm not sure she's happy with everything I say. Sometimes I'm not even happy with everything I say.

You've had a break from touring since your 2010 show Alcoholocaust. What did you miss most about it and what did you not miss at all?
I've been touring constantly. I haven't stopped gigging every week since 2002 – in ten years I have only had two holidays and on one of them I did two gigs!

What does it feel like to know that people you don't know have your name tattooed onto their bodies?
It's funny. I have eight people now with my name on their body. Someone has my face and another guy has one of my quotes but I can't remember which one.

Who else are you hoping to see while you're in Edinburgh?
My mates. It's the only time of the year I get to see most of them in the same place for a whole month. It's one of the reasons I love Edinburgh so much. I'm in the same place for a full month and not flying here, there or somewhere. I get to call a place home for a month. Also most of the acts I want to see are on the same time as me, like Glenn Wool, Craig Campbell, Michael Winslow and Stewart Lee. I might go and see fellow Aussie Benny Boot who's on at 5.30pm as I've heard his new show is brilliant, and Tim Minchin was mentioning how good he's become. Sammy J and Randy. I could have told you a lot of things I'm hoping NOT to see, but that's the problem with emailing questions. No counter questions. Shame that.