Chances are, the last time you saw a Sammy J show there were puppets involved. Well they've gone now. To puppet heaven. Leaving Sammy with a show of stand-up and songs that some have been raving about ... Sammy gives us the lowdown

EiF: What is your show about?
SJ: My show, Skinny Man, Modern World, is all about the trials and tribulations of being a skinny man in a modern world. This is a follow up to my unsuccessful 2007 show, Obese Man in the 1940s, which lacked a certain relevance. The last few years I've dabbled in slightly theatrical narrative comedy shows, whereas this one is very much a stripped back, stand-up show with a few songs along the way. It's genuinely out of my comfort zone, as I've never really talked about myself on stage before (at least not without the aid of puppets or lighting cues).

EiF: Describe it in three words.
SJ: Songs, jokes, juice.

EiF: What's your favourite part of it?
SJ: Probably the nine-minute song in which I end up in a relationship with an elderly mermaid as a child. It's got three acts and a variety of characters in it. I'm going to slip it in quietly at the thirty-six minute mark just to make sure everyone's still paying attention.

EiF: Complete this sentence: "If you like your comedy served with a slight narrative, musical numbers, occasional moments of improvisation and respectable attire, then you'll like our show."

EiF: Is the Edinburgh Comedy Award important to you?
SJ: It's the only reason I'm coming over.

EiF: What is your Edinburgh daily regime?
SJ: 7am - Phone call from the President
7:30am - Jog through the meadows
8:15am - Locked out of flat
8:43am - Back at meadows; locate keys; return home
9:00am - Weetabix x 2
10:00am - Meditation
2:00pm - Wake up, alarmed
2:45pm - Go over notes from last night's show
3:00pm - Find the notes daunting
3:15pm - Decide not to freak out as I've tried my hardest and after all surely the experience is the important thing, even if the audience isn't always reacting how I wanted them to; far better to relax and enjoy the ride
3:20pm - Relax, enjoy ride
4:00pm - Arrive for interview
4:20pm - False alarm; return to flat
5:00pm - Call my wife, leave message
6:00pm - Lonely, find somebody to share curry with in Pleasance Dome
7:30pm - Regret curry
8:00pm - Meander towards Underbelly
8:15pm - Check ticket sales
8:16pm - Double check ticket sales
8:17pm - Enquire about how to boost ticket sales
9:00pm - Backstage massage and herbal remedy
9:30pm - Doors open
9:50pm - Start show
10:50pm - Finish show
11:15pm - Visit bar, try not to look needy
11:59pm - Look at watch and freak out; exit room dramatically
Midnight - Turn into a pumpkin

EiF: What's your favourite spot in Edinburgh?
SJ: I adore the meadows. However, this is entirely contingent on the presence of a frisbee, and a companion with whom to throw the frisbee. No combination other than this will satisfy. I've been to the meadows alone with a frisbee, and I've been to the meadows with a companion but no frisbee, and both experiences were shit.

EiF: What advice would you give to an Edinburgh virgin?
SJ: Laugh loud, see much, and tip generously.

EiF: Name 3 other comics you would recommend seeing.
SJ: I have to demonstrate some Aussie solidarity here and massively recommend Felicity Ward, David Quirk, and Asher Treleaven. All three have got shows that are genuinely different, unique, and very very funny.

EiF: Sum up how you feel about this year’s Edinburgh in one word.
SJ: Cobbles!

Sammy J: Skinny Man, Modern World is on at 9.50pm at Underbelly, click here for booking.