Funny man Jim Gaffigan jokes his way through the comedy world not by dealing low blows to the most defensive demographics on the most controversial subjects, but rather by turning the butt of the gun back on himself. Gaffigan’s quick and witty way of pointing out his most embarrassing aspects is a method rarely executed successfully, especially for a comedian taking the plunge into a more dramatic acting career.
Yet, it seems to work for him. After numerous appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” landing a regular spot on “The Ellen Show,” hosting his own show, “Welcome to New York” on CBS and starring in countless commercials as well as many film roles, Gaffigan is now on the road with his “Beyond the Pale” tour. And this Saturday, Gaffigan will make his way to the Bijou Theatre for two back-to-back performances, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
An Indiana native, Gaffigan started performing stand-up comedy in New York in 1991 when he was only 25. He admitted that he’s always wanted to be a comedian and an actor and that he has accomplished both through a lot of hard work.
“I love it,” Gaffigan said. “Trying a new joke on the stage is the best high around. I’m not really a social satirist; I think comedy should make you laugh at how silly humans and Americans are.”
After nine years working in New York as a stand-up comedian and starring in numerous commercials, which eventually won him Business Week’s 1999 “Salesman of the Year,” Gaffigan finally got his big break on “Letterman.” Immediately afterwards, Letterman personally chose him to write a sitcom for World Wide Pants, the product of which was “Welcome to New York.”
As his career bloomed, Gaffigan found his way from “Welcome to New York” to “The Ellen Show,” “That 70s Show,” “Ed,” “Sex in the City,” “Third Watch” and “Law and Order.” His most recent television endeavor has been writing and starring in TBS’ first-ever original comedy series, “My Boys.”
Gaffigan then burst onto the big screen in “Super Troopers” after having made his mark on television audiences. His role in the film “The Great New Wonderful” as an office worker in the post-9/11 era who eventually breaks angrily under the pressure, swung his acting career full circle. He then starred in “The Living Wake” and “Stephanie Daley,” but Gaffigan eventually returned to his old stomping grounds — live comedy.
A comedian at heart, Gaffigan has given birth to some of the funniest moments of television, from the “Pale Force” animated series on “Conan,” which depicts Gaffigan as a startlingly pale super hero with his trusty, equally white and meager sidekick, Conan O’Brien, to his Comedy Central one-hour special, “Beyond the Pale,” which inspired both the album and his current tour. Gaffigan said he likes keeping appearances as both a comedian and an actor.
“I love doing them both. They are such different disciplines. Stand-up is really a conversation with the audience, where acting you serve the scene through your character,” he said.
Gaffigan also added that there are elements of rehearsal and improvisation in both acting and stand-up comedy. He said that his inside voice, in which he actually imitates the audience making fun of his jokes in a high-pitched voice, is always improvised.
“I’ve always been self-effacing. I think self-awareness is very important in all aspects of life but vital in live performance,” he said.
Yet, it seems odd that a comedian who consistently roasts himself on the stage is able to confidently hold his own beside some of the most popular names in the business. When asked about his easy-going style and laid-back manner on the screen, he casually shrugged it off.
“I’ve been doing this for 16 years. Tons of rejections. Additionally, I’m not really star-struck,” Gaffigan said.
And if Gaffigan seems eager to make fun of himself, so are his fans. Norman Rivera, a junior in engineering, commented on the reasons Gaffigan strikes his fancy.
“I find Gaffigan to be hilarious because of how he utilizes his unique personal traits in his comedy,” Rivera said. “His comedic routines usually involve poking fun of himself and anything related to his paleness and portliness.”
So, whether joking bluntly or serving as the blunt of his joke, Jim Gaffigan’s comedy stays as fresh and flavorful as his first performance.
Gaffigan will visit the Bijou Theatre this Saturday night, at 7 and again at 10. Tickets are $34.75.
