John Pinette

Say yeah yeah to big bad John
Since getting Jerry and co locked up in the grand finale of Seinfeld, John Pinette has spent the last decade making a name for himself on Broadway and in Hollywood. Having worked with the likes of Sinatra, Arnie and Travolta, he may not need the Fringe, but in a festival of all the same old faces, we need him. A big guy in almost every way conceivable, Pinette's I Say Nay Nay is pretty much engorged with one topic: food. Or more accurately, queuing for food, trying to get Italian food in France, eating too much food at a Chinese buffet, food he doesn't like (turnips), food that he doesn't like but is trying to get into (salads), and the ludicrousness of having menus at McDonalds and KFC. All of which makes him sound like a one-trick pony. And well, maybe he is, but boy he sure can ride it all the way home.
Pinette played Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway, so it's no surprise when you hear him burst momentarily into sweet song, and he has an array of odd noises that can eject from his mouth at any given moment: the most prevalent, which is like Tweety Pie taking Linda Blair's role in The Exorcist, is unleashed when spewing bile at people who are needlessly coming between him and his next meal. It would be advisable not to go into the Pinette show on an empty stomach, as you'll come out desperate for food. And, just as likely, hungry for more John Pinette, a true giant of contemporary stand-up.
Udderbelly's Pasture, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug, 9.15pm, £10–£12.50 (£9–£11.50).