Review: Finlay Christie: OK Zoomer

There are numerous comedians debuting at the Fringe who, in recent years, have succeeded in amassing impressive follower counts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Quite often though, the big question hangs in the background: can and will that virtual charm translate to real-world audiences?

In Finlay Christie's case, he's already proven that he can take on the piercing stares of a live audience, having won So You Think You're Funny? in 2019. But with his debut show Ok Zoomer, he leans into some of that self-deprecating Gen Z humour that seemingly exists in a vacuum online, only with an added resentment at adulthood brought about by the last two years.

There are some parts, like the extended discussion around public vs private schools and his reflections on study abroad being curtailed by the pandemic, that feel mechanical and a little uninspired. And make no mistake – this is a show by and for Gen Z, with references to smart phone living and social media etiquette that will make anyone over 30 feel ancient. But Christie isn't elusive or demeaning in his narrative, and he's certainly not out to start a war with millennials.

Instead, his attitude to growing up is endearing, made all the more comical by the awkward powerpoint presentations and throwback videos we're shown of him performing as a confident child stand-up. It's not a perfect debut, but Christie shows that like all of us, he could learn a thing or two from his younger self.