Jim Gaffigan: Beyond the Pale

A few weeks ago, I watched Jim Gaffigan's stand-up video, "Mr. Universe". My daughter and I really enjoyed it, so today we decided to give "Beyond the Pale" a try. My feeling now is that if you liked one, you'd like the other, as they a very similar. Both feature Gaffigan making his strange observations while interposing his fake 'dumb person in the audience' comments. For the most part, the routine is amazingly clean and family-friendly--though, oddly, the captioning is actually a bit dirtier due to mistakes made by the captioner. You'll head Gaffigan talk a lot about good as well as restaurants, holidays, vegetarians as well as some stuff about Jesus at the end that might offend. Overall, an enjoyable DVD--not quite as good as "Mr. Universe", but still better than the average stand-up DVD.

Jims comedy style really sticks out as even when his jokes aren't that funny his 'after voice' turns them round to something special. His ability to laugh at himself and intercept any judgements of him really denies you the right to not like him. His act isn't perfect, there's a lot of localised and period jokes that don't stand the test of time, Im in the UK and didn't understand at least 1/10 of his act. However, I have been quoting this with my brother for weeks, his comedy really sets a new bar for contemporary stand up comedians and his observational comedy really shines a light on other comedians that live on mocking celebrities (Rock, Chappelle etc).

Summary: Rent it now!

"Dad" comic Jim Gaffigan steps into the spotlight for his first stand-up special. However, Gaffigan had already released 5 albums by the time this special premiered, so he was no novice. Perhaps one of the least controversial comics working today, Gaffigan's material may be considered a bit slight by some. He tends to keep to minor annoyances and innocuous observations, usually involving food (it is truly amazing how much material he is able to pull out of Hot Pockets). In addition, using asides, Gaffigan comments on his own comedy as a member of the audience in a peculiar voice, which may put some off, but otherwise, should appeal to most people across the spectrum. Definitely one of the strongest family-friendly comedians out there.

Incontinence aside, Beyond the Pale is hilarious! From his obsessions with food, to his humorous impersonation of a confused audience member, Jim Gaggigan hits all the right notes. His comedy is not edgy, or very unique, but it is his on stage presence and timing that make for a stand-up special that will have you and your friends re-quoting lines for months to come.

I am a fan of many different comedians and love a variety of stand-up routines and performances, and Jim Gaffigans is one that you will remember. Even if a year from now you can't recall his name, you will still be singing to yourself "HOT POCKET, CALIENTE POCKET".

Don't take life to seriously. Laugh, and enjoy yourself.

I discovered Jim Gaffigan kind of late apparently. I heard him on Sirius XM comedy channels sometime after 2014 and just about every clip was a riot. "Beyond the Pale" is a gas. Gaffigan begins with his favorite topic: food--Food Network, food packaging, and all the fattening foods he prefers over health food. He even dedicated some time to Hot Pockets and Cinnabuns LOL.

After food he went into holidays, gifts, and being Catholic. Jim always keeps it relatively clean, which is an anomaly in the comic biz. I think that makes him especially gifted that he can be funny without profanity.