Media Project

Having watched their hugely entertaining show ‘Lets Get Friz Frizzle‘ (abbreviated title), we sat down with Friz to discuss their comedy, mental health, autism and The Simpsons.

You’ve done comedy shows in person and online, are there things you enjoy about both formats?

Each have their own high points. With in-person shows, you get to enjoy jokes that can only happen there and then – such as a heckler retort or gauging a reaction. When I did my solo weekly online show, we ended up having our own in-jokes that would never have translated into an in-person live show. Plus, online gigs have the benefit of being easily accessed by all audience members.

You have worked with many other comedians. This year you have a comedy panel show ‘What’s in the Box’ with different guests each day. Do you have any stories you would like to tell about your collaborations?

I came up with What’s in the Box? in 2017 as an excuse to dick around with different mates every day. It’s got the format of a panel show, but it’s more improvised with chat in the middle. It’s such a fun show, especially when some contestants take the points seriously and really throw themselves into the game. The best moments include Glenn Moore trying to use a bottle as a compass, Lauren Pattison naming as many dogs as she could to the tune of We Didn’t Start the Fire and Gail Porter bringing the scariest dolls you’ve ever seen.

Your previous show on the fringe was all about mental health. Do you find it difficult bringing comedy to such an important subject?

Everything serious can have comedy made about it. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever had to give a eulogy. When I got my diagnosis in 2017, I made it my duty to be completely honest with how I was feeling, which I try and get the audience to do as well. Talking about the stuff you’re worried about it so much easier than keeping it bottled inside, even though it can be the scariest first step.

You talk about your recent autism diagnosis, do you have plans to do more comedy around this subject?

Tricky question. I never know what my hour-long shows will be about. If I find myself in a bizarre situation in the next twelve months that centres entirely on me having autism, I’ll definitely tell it. I’ll call the show Aut-Friz-Tic.

Has receiving an autism diagnosis been a positive thing for you?

It’s certainly explained a lot. My panic attacks, the encyclopedic Simpsons knowledge, the memorising ridiculous routines about owls and the like. I’ve started being able to spot other people with autism. I don’t think I had that power before. When I talked about my diagnosis with my friends and family, they all reacted with “That makes sense! We kind of already knew”, which is annoying, as that’s also how they reacted when I came out as bisexual.

You provide an entertaining mix of parody songs and stand up comedy. Are there any songs or a particular artist you enjoy parodying most?

I’ve done three different Pet Shop Boys parodies because I love doing Neil Tennant’s voice. It’s gorgeous.

And is there a song or artist that you have considered doing but never could be it to difficult or risky?

The only ones I don’t perform are the ones I’ve written to a really niche song. If anyone ever wants to hear my McFly parody about epilepsy, shoot me an email.

You challenge people to stump you with quotes from The Simpsons, have you ever been caught out? And I take it you really love the Simpsons?

I absolutely love The Simpsons. Controversially, some of the latest episodes have been the best they’ve been in about fifteen years. We are very lucky to have that show in our lifetimes. My party trick is obscure Simpsons trivia and telling you which episodes certain quotes come from. The only time I’ve been stumped is when someone just shouts “Excellent!” in a Mr Burns voice. I mean, what the actual heck am I meant to do with that? Ridiculous.

Thanks so much to Friz for sitting down with us.

You can catch their show: Let’s Get Friz Frizzle (to the tune of Let’s Get Physical) – at Whistlebinkies (Binkies Lounge) through to 28 August at 4pm.
More details on the show at British Comedy Guide.

Friz’s comedy panel show: What’s In The Box – takes place at the Globe Bar through to 28 August at 1pm. More details.

Both shows are part PBH’s Free Fringe 2022.

We plan to hold a Neurodiverse meetup to see Let’s Get Friz Frizzle on Wednesday 24th August, meeting at Whistlebinkies from 3:30pm. Event details at OutSavvy.

Twitter: @FrizFrizzle – more links via Linktree

Following the previews of her brilliant show ‘Million Dollar Maybe‘, Robyn Perkins spoke to us about her comedy, science and Bi visibility.

How long have you been doing the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and what brings you back to Edinburgh?

This is my 8th year doing the whole month. I love the Fringe! I come back not just because I love performing, but I love being in a city with a load of my friends for a month. It’s like a University Campus, without classes, walking down the street and bumping into your friends. So much art, so much talent, in one place. It is incredible.

This is the first time you have produced a show based on your bisexuality – did you find this easier or more tricky to write than your previous shows?

Actually writing the show was not tricky at all, because it is so personal. Also, because I have become a better comedian, the show was easier than most. The thing I think was tricky, was owning the fact that this is a show about bivisibility. Originally, I wanted to hide the theme, as I thought it may seem inaccessible. But the truth is, this show is for everyone.
Also, while the show has a point, most Edinburgh shows do. And rest assured, it is a comedy show. It is very funny!

As someone who has performed across the UK and the world, how much do you have to change your comedy for different locations or cultures?

Apart from local references, not that much. Obviously, not every country knows what a Jaffa Cake is. Having said that, there are some places I do need to check that being out on stage is ok. Things are changing, which is great. For example, in 2020, Singapore was totally fine with me talking a lot about being bisexual.

Your show is funny and informative combining bi visibility, romance and science. You also touch on some of the important factors impacting the Bi+ community regarding relationships, and mental health outcomes. Do you see the work you do as a form of activism and how important is that to you?

This is a tough question. I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I struggle a lot in feeling like I am ‘enough’. That applies to my bisexuality. Realising so late in life, I sometimes feel I am not a real part of the community. I know I am! But I sometimes feel like I’m tagging along.
So in terms of being an activist…this subject is really important to me. I think we need to be talking about it more. But I don’t feel like I have the qualifications to be an activist, since I am so new to the community. Does that make sense? Or is that too honest?

You talk about coming out as Bi later in life, even though signs were there for many years. Do you believe that the increase in bi visibility is helping people realise their sexuality earlier in life and is this a good thing?

For sure! I think if we actually had role models and a media presence in the 80s and 90s, I definitely would have known! So. Many. Signs.

In terms of acceptance, do you think we need to “prove bisexuals exist”?

Haha. The show talks a lot about the notion of proof, from a scientific point of view and a personal point of view. The problem is, there are several things in life you just cannot prove, and not just because science can’t prove anything. But there are several things in this world that we just need to trust people about. That is much easier said than done.

Do you have any tips for Bi+ people wanting to help spread bi visibility through comedy, music, videos or other media?

If you are in a place to own it, then do. Not everyone is, and that is understandable. If you can talk about it, even better. For example, being able to explain things when people try to assign a sexuality based on your current partner. Some people just don’t realise.
I think that’s more on a personal level. But in the media, I have seen people identify to the public based on who they are dating. I think, even if it is harder, if you are a position to do so, be identify as bisexual.

The poster for the show depicts you in a boxing ring and the title of the show, Million Dollar Maybe also has a boxing link – did you consider talking about boxing in the show?

I did. Truth is, the show title was coined in February of 2020. It was a much different show then. However, while the show is different, I think the title, and the relationship to the movie, is relevant. It’s a show about validation and proving your existence. I did briefly think about making a boxing reference, but haven’t come up with one that is worthy of the show yet.

Thanks to Robyn for sitting down with us.
You can catch her show ‘Million Dollar Maybe’ at Gilded Balloon Teviot through to 28 August at 5pm. Tickets available from edfringe.com

Robyn is also hosting ‘Comedy For The Curious‘, a stand-up comedy panel show with a science twist at 8pm throughout August.

Twitter: @robynHperkins – Instagram: @robynHperkins – Website: robynperkins.com

Ask almost any bi person what they want in a character, and they will tell you that they want them to say the word, to have a character that can’t have their bisexuality explained away as ‘just a phase’ or a ‘stepping stone to gayness’.
Desiree Akhavan’s new comedy drama has done one better, it not only has a lead character that uses the word, it’s also the title of the show.

The Bisexual follows the story of Leila (Desiree Akhavan) an Iranian-American woman living in London, trying to figure out where she fits in a world that only sees straight and gay. After breaking up with her long-term girlfriend, Leila ends up moving in with Gabe (Brian Gleeson), a writer whose only published novel is called Test(icular). His attitudes towards sexuality are exactly what you would expect from a straight guy, but he’s also one of the few that supports Leila as she struggles to come out, since the rest of her social circle, including best friend Deniz (Saskia Chana), are all lesbians.
The first episode is more drama than comedy, and it heads straight to the heart of the issue, with Leila’s friends describing bisexual women as “sex tourists” and the obvious discomfort and awkwardness that Leila feels is eased by Gabe trying to explain that his girlfriend is bisexual, only for that to be dismissed as drunk girls performing for the male gaze.
It’s a painful scene to watch, and a situation that a few too many of us will recognise, but it sets the tone for the rest of the series.
(If you haven’t binge watched all six episodes already, or twice like me, there are spoilers ahead.)
The show hits its stride after a couple of episodes, showing the awkward reality of dating in the age of online apps. Including the fact that a lot of dating apps have finally realised that bisexuals not only exist, but they might actually want to date.
Leila is her own worst enemy, trying to hide her new boyfriend from her lesbian best friend. It’s cringe comedy at it’s best, or should that be worst, and it’s no surprise that the relationship doesn’t work out.
We then see her blurting out, “I’m bisexual,” on a date like she’s at a support meeting, as though it’s something to be ashamed of, and it’s the last time that we see her using a dating app.
The show doesn’t pull its punches, and while people looking for escapism might flinch at the biphobia dealt with in the show, unfortunately, it’s a very real reflection of what people think, and say, about bisexuals.
Gabe seems to live with his foot continually in his mouth, and although he tries to support Leila, he has a lot of misconceptions about bisexuals.
“You don’t have to lock yourself down to anyone… there’s so many people that you’re attracted to, because of that reason monogamy’s not possible for you.”
Watching Gabe awkwardly try and explain bisexuality to an actual bisexual person is enough to make the audience cringe on Leila’s behalf, and her outrage is summed up perfectly in one line, “Why are you talking to me like I’m a different species from you?”
It’s painfully true, and watching Leila walk off, leaving Gabe alone waiting for his Uber, feels like a small victory.
My favourite episode is the flashback to 2005, Leila has moved to London to study, and even without her sexuality as a factor, she’s still the odd one out. Lurking in the student bar, she tries to talk to people, desperate to fit in somewhere.
And then her future best friend Deniz walks in. Leila rescues Deniz from a guy who is obsessed with her, and Leila ends up telling her that she’s a lesbian, even though we see her flirting with a guy only moments before. Deniz’s relief and happiness when she realises that she’s not alone is a feel good moment for her character, but what is freeing for Deniz, puts Leila into a different closet.
It shows how powerful labels can be, providing a sense of community and solidarity, but only if they’re the right label for a person.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and the humanity of the characters shines through in the performances from the three main characters. Saskia Chana in particular does an outstanding job of portraying Deniz as a fully fleshed out character, when the role could have so easily been reduced to the friend whose only purpose is witty one-liners. I think a lot of people were expecting more comedy, but as a drama, it shows the complexities of being bisexual in a world that doesn’t quite understand us as anything other than stereotypes.
Personally, I would have liked to see more bi+ characters in the show, as I think they missed an opportunity to show the diversity of bi+ people. I hope that if there’s a second season we will get to see Leila reaching out and connecting with more of the community.

The Bisexual airs at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Channel 4, and all episodes are available to watch now on All 4.
Image copyright Channel 4/The Bisexual.