Comedy Review: Jim Gaffigan | Buzz Blog
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Monday, September 28, 2009

A&E / Culture

Comedy Review: Jim Gaffigan

Posted By on September 28, 2009, 7:05 AM

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Kingsbury Hall's opened its 2009-10 with comedian Jim Gaffigan, who packed two Sept. 25 performance, filling the theater with booming laughter, and kicking off what is sure to be a great season of performances at the U. Spectators ranged from progressive pre-teens and their middle-aged parents to grungy college kids just aching for a good long bath. Everyone was smiling and electric as they waited for the performance to begin.---

Opening comedian Rich Brooke, a mop-topped, mutton-chopped giant, had a shaky start to his act. His first couple of jokes were told so quickly that the audience couldn't really tell what he was saying, and they simply giggled politely. He quickly found his footing, however, and delved into the same random, observational humor that Gaffigan tells, but without Gaffigan's panache. Brooke's act wound up being more of your typical, forgettable stand-up comic performance, but the incredibly generous audience gave him a very warm response.

When Gaffigan walked out on stage, he was received like a rock star; whistles and screams greeted him as he approaced the mic. You could tell this audience was going to love whatever came out of his mouth. He jumped right into his act, never slowing down for 90 minutes, telling both new and classic bits, including the very popular "bacon" and "Hot Pockets" routines. Gaffigan's style was typical of what made him famous. His side whispers were ever-present, his topics bouncing around from hotel swimming pools to fast food windows, and he absolutely killed.

I've heard most of his act before, and though I loved being able to see him live, my greatest thrill came from watching my friend, who had never heard any of Gaffigan's material, experience him for the very first time. As his act went on, I saw her laugh harder and harder, eventually leaning forward in her seat with a look of sheer joy on her face. It reminded me of how I felt the first time I heard him.

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