Erin Farrington picks her comedy favourites

Edinburgh Fringe comedian Erin Farrington shares her Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites.

Maria Bamford

Comedy Central half-hour stand-up specials were the only thing getting me through middle school, and once I saw Maria's I was obsessed. 

By the time I graduated 8th grade, I could recite most of her special. Her style is so unique and character-driven, she casually drops some of the smartest jokes I have ever heard with a laissez-faire attitude that makes the entire special feel like talking to a friend. 

Her emotional vulnerability is honest and real, she shares so much of herself without ever taking herself too seriously. 

Molly Shannon

Molly Shannon is fearless. She is a case study in fully committing to the bit. Living up to her catchphrase, Molly is the definition of a superstar. Her boldness continues to inspire and influence my work, aspiring to lean fully into the weird. 

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion makes me cry in a good way. Every character is so deeply bizarre and out of this world, but their emotional truth shines through in a way that is deeply captivating to the point where the movie ends up being relatable. Deeply silly, boldly weird, and it has heart?? It is a recipe that is difficult to pull off.

I watch this movie when I want to laugh or feel inspired or fold laundry. It's a perfect balance of so many moods. The cast of characters does not disappoint, everyone in this movie goes above and beyond. Something interesting and weird to look at in every frame. Janeane Garofalo is a stand-out psycho in this, I think about her cigarette acting in this movie a lot.   

Also, every costume is an absolute serve, there is not one scene where my first thought isn’t: ‘I want that dress’.

Veep

Coming from New England, my love language is bullying, so Veep had to make this list somewhere. This show is so fast and fun and a little too real in its depiction of American politicians. 

The insults in this show are so well crafted, so cutting, and delivered with such subtlety that you could watch each episode 20 times and still find a joke you missed. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the confident fool, a deeply selfish woman with little to no redeeming qualities, and yet I am still on her side rooting for her in every episode. 

Hot Rod

I think by now it's clear I love comedies that star lovable idiots down on their luck. Absurd out-of-this-world jokes and plot lines that are in no way grounded but somehow relatable. 

Hot Rod's cast is insanely stacked and honestly also hot. A young Andy Sandburg?? Absolutely delish. Another wildly quotable film that makes you feel warm and fuzzy and laugh until your stomach hurts. 

The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones has accidentally made one of the best songs I have ever heard. I sing this to myself constantly. 

The entire show is delightful, funny, and at times deeply dark and disturbing. Insane idiots in power. I love a southern accent, it has such a melodic quality that creates a unique comedic timing, every star on the show has a delicious way of making it their own.  

Mega-church culture is so interesting and absurd in real life the way this show explores that culture is delightful. 

• Erin Farrington: Think Better: Manifesting Money, Real Estate and Hot People is on at 5.40pm in the Pleasance Courtyard 

Published: 13 Aug 2024