The Afternoon Show, BBC Blue Tent, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

A recording of Radio Scotland's daytime show featuring a wide range of acts from the festivals around the city.  The interest in these events can come as much from observing the technicalities and procedures involved in the recording, and how much the audience is prepared (manipulated!) by those running it, as it does from the show itself.  This recording was primarily for radio, but some of it will make it on to TV, so there plenty of cameras in evidence.

The show was hosted by both the regular presenters, Janice Forsyth and Grant Stott, both safe pairs of hands for this kind of thing.  Today's line up certainly offered variety, and there was probably at least one or two items for everyone, with live music, drama and comedy, and a regular rotation of guests on the sofa for some chat.  Rather than itemise every act, here's a flavour of the diversity of genres on offer.  There was a DJ accompanied by orchestral musicians playing dance music; a weel kent Edinburgh crime writer talking about his band, book festival event and rediscovering one of his oldest works; a forensic 'mind reader' who was quickly able to determine the date of birth of an audience member through a simple routine; two actors giving a sample of a play they have on the Fringe; a singer of Kate Bush songs; an actor and writer whose show is about their relationship to a famous pop star; the composer and librettist of a new opera; a stand up comedian with a show about the worst year of her life; New York cabaret singing; two solo artists with shows about the dire effects of poverty on our society; and one of Ireland's finest and sharpest comedians.  Like I said, something for everyone.

Personal highlights for me included ian Rankin (who else?) talking about a book he'd written decades go and now realised it wasn't as bad as he'd thought it was; Darren McGarvey and Scottee talking about their shows which talk about the social impacts of poverty and class; and, best of all, the few minutes we had to benefit from the wit of Andrew Maxwell.

Go into BBC shows like this with an open mind and there's always enjoyment to be found.