Punch Drunk Love
Jim Jeffries may be outrageously funny but to some people he’s just plain outrageous. He talks about the on-stage attack that made him a web sensation
John Donellan, 14 Jul 2008
If eight million people have seen you on the internet, you are either doing something very right or very, very wrong. Australian comedian Jim Jeffries, depending on your constitution, can fall into either category. In 2007, while performing in Manchester’s Comedy Store, an enraged punter (Irish unfortunately) took exception to some material and stormed the stage, punching Jeffries repeatedly.
“I managed to block the first one with my face,” he laughs, “then some audience members came to my rescue.”
The punches may have stung but the publicity didn’t hurt. Jim incorporated the incident into his subsequent show and sold out his 2007 Edinburgh run. This year his performance at the Udderbelly, entitled Hammered, will undoubtedly be just as successful. So what’s it like spending a month performing in Edinburgh? Is it as debauched as they say?
"I’m surprised nobody has died yet. You’ve got two choices, drink or abstain completely.”
I mention Johnny Vegas’s adage that ‘you should always be two pints behind your audience.’
“That’s probably a good call," says Jeffries. "The problem with Edinburgh is that you might have two or three gigs during the day and just when you’re relaxing with a couple of pints, you’ll get offered another gig, and you always take the job. Because of the nature of my act, I can’t really say no to someone who offers me a shot at the bar, can I?”
There’s certainly been no shortage of work offers recently. Jim's schedule has been packed but he still managed to entertain British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. How did that go?
“It was weird man. You’re sober, they’re sober and everyone has guns. They are all wearing bullet-proof vests as well, which is strange. I was given one but left it at the side of the stage before I went on. Bob Hope never wore one.”
How does Jim's family react to his material? Does he have any maiden aunts who need shielding?
“Oh God, yes. I try not to think about it but there’s plenty of stuff I wouldn’t want my mum to see. I often refer to ‘my friend’ who did all these terrible things, but of course it’s just me.”
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