Greg Behrendt
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
***
The audience got a shock when Greg Behrendt, the co-author of hit book/movie She's Just Not That Into You, appeared.
A crowd of well-GHD'd women expected a Sex And The City smoothie and got a wrinkly guy in a skull belt and goatee.
Behrendt swiftly won them over, however, with a polished, generic set on the perils of relationships and ageing.
Numerous Americans have fared poorly here and Behrendt nearly had the same problem. Like countless compatriots the material ticked over-familiar boxes - sustaining romance, breaking up.
Luckily, the veteran delivered obvious lines plus a nice Pictionary riff so crisply he pulled it off. I was just not that into him.
Jamie Kilstein
Assembly Rooms
***
Better things were expected of younger American Jamie Kilstein.
Critics have compared him to Bill Hicks, probably because he also leans forward and punctuates punchlines by jutting out his lower lip.
There are overlaps in philosophy, too. Like Hicks, Kilstein is angrily political and wasted no time skilfully skewering Obama.
A spiky set included a surprisingly sentimental routine about his dad, but most refreshing were his acidic David Cameron gags.
Apart from duck moat jokes, the 2009 Fringe is light on political engagement.
Who would have thought it would be a Yank who put the heaviest boot into Westminster?
Both until 30 August. Information: 0131 226 0000, www.edfringe.com.
