Comedian, Harmon Leon has made a career out of going undercover to investigate extremist subcultures in the United States of America. The worst of the worst, he’s infiltrated everything from white supremacist hate groups to reality TV shows. You can catch him perform live at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The system is stacked against the performer; everyone ends up making money - promoters, PR people and venues - except the person who is on stage.
“I’m your multimedia tour guide into the diseased underbelly of America, as I bring to life such horrors as the America’s Most Beautiful Baby Contest, a hidden camera show with OJ Simpson, and Christian hardcore punk. I go to these places so you don't have to.
“I’ve been described as weird, wildly original, and incomprehensible.
“I’m the author of six books, including National Lampoon’s Roadtrip USA. I have appeared on the Howard Stern Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, Penn & Teller’s Bullshit, and Spike TV’s 1000 Ways to Die. And I’ve performed at the Montreal, Edinburgh, Vancouver, and Melbourne Comedy Festivals.”
Why did you choose to perform as part of PBH Free Fringe?
“No one wants to lose thousands of dollars to spend a month performing every night. I’ve been doing the fringe for years and sadly the system is stacked against the performer; everyone ends up making money - promoters, PR people and venues - except the person who is on stage.
“PBH Free Fringe brings the Edinburgh Fringe back to the artist.”
To someone who hasn’t seen you, how would you describe your style of comedy?
“A stand up version of Louis Theroux and Jon Ronson – but much stranger. Plus songs.”
What was your best experience on stage?
“It was my 2011 fringe show. The show ended with me coming back on stage in a Frankenstein costume and having everyone come on stage and dance the Monster Mash.”
If you were curating a stand up show for television, who would be your guests?
“The ghost of Tommy Cooper.”
Edinburgh Fringe Box Office link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/yank-me-with-harmon-leon
Website: www.harmonleon.com
Twitter: @harmonleon
Facebook: /harmonleon
YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsgtrA5YYwQ
