Here's week three of our pick of the week's best Edinburgh Festival previews, where big name-acts charge small prices while they try out new ideas. Embrace London's comedy scene in June and July like you would embrace your dearest friend, or a delicious pineapple, and see as many shows as you can while the price is "right". You'll do well to start with these four:

Tuesday 24th - Top Islington club Fat Tuesdays hosts big-name previews every week before the festival kicks off. Tuesday is a genuinely unmissable evening, with a double-bill of previews from Richard Herring and Josie Long. Herring's show, The Headmaster's Son, recalls the embarrassment and social stigma of being in that most unenviable of positions. Afterwards, in All of the Planet's Wonders (Shown in Detail), Long will share with us many fascinating things which, as anyone who has seen any of her new material in the past ten months will know, is enlightening and hilarious in equal measure. (Richard on YouTube) Salmon and Compass, 58 Penton Street, London, N1. £6, 8pm.

Thursday 26th - A double-bill of Nick Doody and Terry Saunders tonight at The Funny Side of Covent Garden. Londonist loves Terry, a twee indie comic and an awe-inspiring storyteller. If you didn't listen to us last week when we told you to see him, listen to us this week! Joining him is Nick Doody, a sharp satirical/observational comic, and contributor to many great shows, such as The Mark Thomas Comedy Product, Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, and The Now Show. Tell the compere that Londonist sent you, and you'll receive a free £50 note (not true). (Nick on YouTube, and Terry on YouTube) Corner Store, 32-35 Wellington St, WC2E 7BN. 8pm

Saturday 28th - Liam Mullone - ex-gravedigger, Times obituarist and superlative cerebral stand-up - performs in Camden tonight. In his new show, "In a Dead Man's Hat", Liam recalls the time he was robbed by a stripper, and forced to fend for himself for six weeks in the Nevada desert. Expect "jokes", "references" and "intelligence" from this "great comedian" (quotes from my mate Barry, a Liam Mullone fan). (Liam on YouTube) Etcetera Theatre, 265 Camden High St, NW1. 7.30pm, £6.50.

Sunday 29th - Nina Conti does away with the cheesiness of ventriloquism, and replaces it with filth, wit and buckets of charm. In her new show, she'll be using her monkey side-kick to explain evolution via the medium of song and nudity. If it has just a fraction of the brilliance of her show last year, then this will be a rapturous gig. Murder to get a ticket, even if there are still tickets available. (Nina on YouTube) Hen & Chickens Theatre, 109 St Paul's Rd, Highbury Corner, N1. 9.30pm, £5.