There was a great atmosphere at the Comedy Cavern for the evening's Edinburgh Preview shows. Despite the incredibly high temperature inside and out, it was a good audience, full of people that really wanted to see some comedy. Nick DoodyThe first preview of the evening was from Nick Doody. Doody is a successful television writer, writing for shows such as 8 out of 10 Cats, The Late Edition and The Friday Night Project. In standup, he's supported the likes of Bill Hicks on tour. This show, Nick Doody - Before He Kills Again, is his Edinburgh debut. Starting his hour with a slightly sinister song about clowns, with some vulgar lyrics and creepy descriptions, I wasn't sure what kind of comedy he was going to produce. But after the song, he constructed some good sets, some of which were excellent. A good length routine about drinking, and the difference in how alcohol is consumed in Britain and other countries went down well with the boozed-up audience. A large section of the show is taken up talking about religion. A piece about whether the Bible is just a drug-fuelled ramble and what people would think if it were it written now was received nicely, and some material about Santa Claus and Doody's childhood Christmases got good laughs. I did think some of his material was a little dated, including the 7 July bombings in London. I know only a year has passed, but I've seen plenty of comedians doing jokes about it in that time. Jerry Springer - The Opera being broadcast on the BBC was another subject I thought was a little too late. Doody's show does need a fair bit of work - there were too many pauses, and the attention of the audience wasn't quite there throughout. But I'm sure this will be sorted for Edinburgh - this is what previews are for. It would be also nice to hear another song or two to break up the hour. Overall, Nick Doody - Before He Kills Again is an enjoyable show. There are some thought-provoking subjects, and some excellent jokes, but it could do with a few more real belly laughs to keep the audience interested. Mark WatsonAfter the break, we were all refreshed and ready for the second show. Mark Watson has quickly become one of the most respected comedians in the country. He holds the World Record for the longest solo standup show (33 hours and 25 minutes), and he plans to beat it this year with 36 hours. He's a novelist, a Perrier Best Newcomer Nominee, and he is quite simply one of the best standups in the country. I'm Worried I'm Starting to Hate Almost Everyone in the World is the name of Watson's 2006 show - it's essentially about why most people are idiots, and I think most people would agree with that. Watson got mugged earlier this year, and this has started his hate for almost everyone. He communicates his mugging experience with such energy and passion, that the audience are concentrating on every word. Not only that, but they are in stitches. There are some marvellous rants in the show, on topics including mobile phone shops, 'comedy' T-shirts, and the service and prices of trains - something I had got angry about myself just the day before. He involves the audience by getting people to choose an object representing one of the seven deadly sins, and uses this as a basis to discuss what is wrong with the world. Even when things go wrong, Watson makes it hilarious and creates a unique show for this particular audience. You can't get bored with an hour of comedy from Mark Watson - I'm pretty sure it's impossible. There's always a terrific joke just a few seconds away, and it's easy to see how he can keep up the comedy for 33 hours. The conclusion to the show is wonderful, wrapping it all up nicely. I'm Worried I'm Starting to Hate Almost Everyone in the World is one of the finest hours of comedy you will witness. | 
