In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with the team behind American Assholes: Escape to Edinburgh.
What can you tell me about your show?
The show: American Assholes: Escape to Edinburgh is a trio of stand-up comedians dissecting identity, politics, and why Americans might in fact, be the worst. Together, the three comics who make up the American Assholes (Dannielle Slaughter, Lauren LoGiudice, and Wayne Charles II), all have material that creates a volatile Venn Diagram of perspectives that somehow lands in a deeply human place. Beneath the outrageousness is a collective search for relief, belonging, and maybe even redemption...maybe.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Each of us brings a distinct comedic voice to the stage: Lauren LoGiudice is a whimsical poignant variety show within a stand-up set that spirals between satire and sincerity with startling control. Dannielle Slaughter, with machine-gun delivery- disarms audiences with her smokey Southern charm before cutting directly into subjects most people are too polite -- or too afraid -- to examine openly. And Wayne Charles II delivers conversational storytelling with the ease of a neighborhood regular holding court at last call, balancing sharp honesty with understated wit. It is the best of different genres of stand-up comedy all confronting the same pack of rabid animals.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
We, the trio of stand-up comedians, Lauren, Dannielle, and Wayne; met on the New York comedy circuit and quickly recognized a shared obsession in our work: unpacking identity, contradiction, and what it means to exist in modern America from radically different perspectives as Queer, Indigenous, and African American performers. Instead of trying to create a show just because we wanted to go to fringe, we really dissected our own work and found this common thread, something that allows us to offer a unique and hilarious show to Fringe audiences. It has been years in the making.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Americans are not getting any more popular, this is not a political show, but the comics do not live in a vacuum. We live in one of the most popular cities in the world, in one of the least popular countries, with the most hated radical allied president in modern history. Rather than shy away from that - let's address what that really means for those putting society under the interrogation lamp. Plus- we know everyone is already laughing at American Assholes, so let's make it official.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
We've all agreed we can not be stressed at the same time. So we will have to take turns. Really- having a trio with all different strengths and skill-sets off stage helps carry the weight of what it takes to bring these shows to Fringe. Could not recommend that more for your well-being. And physically- trying to boost our immune systems, sleep before we land in Scotland, and maybe one less bourbon at dinner for the time being. Shout outs to comfortable shoes, extra socks and some tiger balm.
If you couldn't use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
We would love to give every attendee a gift-basket with a gold-plated Colt 45, a carton of cigarettes, & bottle of Basil Hayden Bourbon along with their personal invitation but that may be hard to smuggle through TSA. We will have to settle for some fun but legal merch, flyers, and our "Ask the Assholes" street interviews to corral in the crowds -- of which, can be viewed on our Instagram page: @AmericanAssholesComedy.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can't live without this month?
Pills baby! In all seriousness, regular over the counter pain relievers, phone charger, handy-dandy notebooks, calendar reminders, and a map drawn onto our arms to navigate the city. You asked for 1, but it's a big survival kit.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
In all sincerity- we would like to have some great sold-out shows, and then to tour American Assholes throughout Europe and Asia next year. If we could link with the right industry contacts, this self-aware trio can be a game changer for audiences who love comedy.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Meka Mo is a friend who also has a show at Just the Tonic, she's hilarious, so you definitely want to see her. Also Shane Torres is running an hour with Assembly that you wouldn't want to miss, we will certainly be in attendance.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people visit when they're not watching performances?
Wait, are there things to do in Scotland besides watch comedy?! No- really, if you go all the way to Scotland and don't get pissed drunk at a local pub before singing a sea-shanty through a castle arm-in-arm with your mates, did you even really visit Scotland?
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Fearless comedy for uncomfortable truths.
What keeps you inspired?
We all love comedy and love the process of making it. We are literally living our dream - and there is enough fucked up stuff in the world that it isn't hard to throw a rock and hit something or someone you want to talk about on stage. Comedians all have the same mental illness, when the worst things are going on, the most messed up situations are happening, we're writing jokes about it. There have been a lot of messed up things in our lifetime to bring to the stage, and that only seems to be ramping up.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
By the end of the night, audiences who may have arrived ready to judge the "Assholes" onstage, only then recognize parts of themselves in the stories being told. Somewhere between the punchlines and provocations, the show invites audiences to confront their own contradictions -- and consider how much of our worst behavior, insecurities, and shortcomings might actually be shared. -- Also merch, leave with merch so we can buy food and alcohol.
When and where can people see the show?
Just the Tonic's Mash House- The Bottle Room 20 Aug - 29 Aug, every night at 22:10. This really will be one of the most fun late-night shows at Fringe, we can't wait to see everyone.
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/american-assholes-escape-to-edinburgh
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