Garrett Millerick: Sensible Answers to Stupid Questions

There’s a refreshing honesty to much of Garrett Millerick’s act, the garrulous comedian confessing he’s only in Edinburgh to get on television. He admits that the chances of getting three minutes on The One Show are somewhat unlikely but, by the end of this multi-tentacled shaggy dog story, it’s clear he’s willing to go to some surprising lengths to achieve his aims.

It’s just part of an often impressive set which regularly showcases Millerick's knack for a wonderful turn of phrase. After drawing a distinction between a “stupid question” and a “question asked by a stupid person”, he starts to describe how a series of idiotic queries have cost him dear. A UK Film Council grant, his girlfriend and his pristine flat have all been casualties.

The structure itself is cleverly executed. Whenever he seems to be veering too far off-topic he brings things back with an unexpected flourish. Material on his upbringing, a curious ex-girlfriend and internet dating all work well and whizz by in a blur of good-natured laughs.

He only loses the thread slightly in the final quarter, in particular when he embarks on an overlong scatalogical tale told during an interview. A slightly out-of-place riff on young people also drags a little.

A daring conclusion addressing comedy itself sees Millerick end on a high and mark himself out as one to watch for the future.