3. Jim Gaffigan

Thanks to Jim Gaffigan, I can no longer order at a Mexican restaurant without thinking about how all Mexican food is essentially the same thing ("it's a tortilla, meat, cheese and vegetables!"). I also avoid Hot Pockets and Waffle Houses, but I love bacon. Basically, he's screwed up my eating habits. But I'll forgive him because he's funny.

The talking point of Gaffigan's act is that he critiques himself during the show, adopting a high-pitched voice and commenting as if he were a member of the audience, and a prudish one at that. He pulls no punches (once, he said that he looked like a child molester). Some people find this nuts, but to me it's ingenious. Gaffigan isn't just inviting you to laugh with him, but also on occasion to laugh at him, as well as, in a strange way, the people who don't get him.

He's adept at pointing out the absurdities and hilarities in daily life, whether it's how some holiday traditions don't make logical sense (like how the Easter Bunny has no relation to the day's religious meaning), or the power of cake (how it can compel you to go to the birthday celebration of a coworker you don't like), or how long a Catholic mass can be. He seems to bring up things no one else would think about...but then when you do think about them, you realize he's kind of right.

For example, there's a bit from one of his older Comedy Central specials where he talks about people not drinking. He notes that if you don't drink, people always want to ask you why. This question never comes up about anything else you choose to abstain from. ("Oh, you don't like mayonnaise? Why is that?") I'm one of those people who doesn't drink, and it had never occurred to me to think about that, but when I did, I knew it was so true.

Another thing I like Jim for is his connection to his fans. I've been to quite a few of his shows, and he does a meet and greet after each one. I've still got the CD he signed for me a few years ago: "To Brittany, I love you...and cake." It still makes me laugh every time I see it. Even in situations as mundane as a CD signing, Jim Gaffigan is one funny dude.

Order Jim's latest DVD, King Baby.
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