American actress and stand up comedian Janeane Garofalo embraces the Edinburgh Fringe spirit for the first time and gives her all in a one hour show. It’s a pity then that ‘her all’ is a bit ‘all over the place’.
There is no denying that Garofalo is a talented and funny comedian, but her delivery feels a bit disjointed, and it takes her time to get into the rhythm of her routine. Not having a planned-out set means that she starts stories, leaves them halfway through, then goes back to them later, once she realises she has gone off on a tangent. She knows she wants to talk about politics, America, her past relationships, and any funny ‘Scottish-isms’ she may find whilst staying here, but because she has so much to say, she never gets to say much at all.
Her best moments are those when she gives herself a rest, and decides to share her real life stories. Garofalo has no problems in confessing to her alcohol problems or weight issues, and it is when she opens up and pokes fun at her past, that the laughter from the audience is non-stop. She’s vulnerable, she’s one of us, the audience thinks (an audience who, let’s be fair, would be more tempted to come see her, not for her stand-up abilities, but her Hollywood status).
After the first 20 minutes of Janeane Garofalo’s show, some people may consider leaving, but you shouldn’t. Garofalo shines halfway through her set, and she peaks towards the end, when she relaxes and interacts with the audience. She might have some tweaking to do, but her delivery will grow stronger as the Fringe goes on. It may very well be the case that, by her last show, she becomes the stand up sensation we all want her to be.
3/5 
Adrian G. Velazquez
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