Jim Gaffigan spreads laughter at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail
Seven-time Grammy-nominated comedian performs on Thursday night in Vail
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Many of us enjoyed Labor Day off, but as comedian Jim Gaffigan points out: “These three-day weekends are always followed by a stressful four-day work week. Things we normally would do in a five-day work week are now stuffed into four days. I don’t like that. Waking up after a three-day weekend is never fun. That extra day of sleeping in convinces my body that I’ll never have to wake up early again. Waking up a teenager on a Tuesday after a three-day weekend is virtually impossible. Unnecessary drama. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
Not to mention the forced barbecuing, socializing and traffic jams.
And so goes Gaffigan’s comedy, which he brings to Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater on Thursday night.
The seven-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, producer and bestselling author’s recorded comedy has gone platinum, and he’s the first comedian to hit 1 billion streams on Pandora. Perhaps that’s because he brings laughter to otherwise serious topics, like religion, marriage and parenthood.
Take for instance his set of bar glasses, which contain his quotes about fatherhood. Quotes like: “You know what it’s like having a fifth kid? Imagine you’re drowning, then someone hands you a baby,” or “Being a father is definitely the most important thing I will fail at in my life.”
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Of course, to go with the glassware, he has his own brand of bourbon: Fathertime.
“Over the last decade, my wife, Jeannie, and I have grown to really appreciate an occasional bourbon. I guess having teenagers made us welcome any momentary break from the reality of parenting future adults,” he said.
He launched the brand after several large companies approached him about having his celebrity spirit. He never seriously considered that, partially because he doesn’t think of himself as a celebrity, despite earning three Emmys and starring in both television and films, the latter of which include “Three Kings,” “Super Troopers” and “Chappaquiddick,” along with three that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, leading to the media calling him the King of Sundance.
But then he decided to try launching his brand, which he could personally guarantee he loved. He collaborated with a college friend — and fellow bourbon lover — and, through research, they created a drink they could truly back.
“I handpicked the bourbon and personally signed every bottle of Fathertime,” he said. “It’s a gamble, but, then again, so is parenting.”
His latest project, in the form of comedy, just debuted Aug. 30. The all-new material includes topics like being a compliant husband by going to church for his wife, dealing with being kicked out of the bathroom and being called moody when he doesn’t accept his wife’s demands, as well as visiting New Orleans on St. Patrick’s Day, Las Vegas’ decadence and much more.
“When I have these moments of noncompliance at home, they’re affectionately referred to as ‘Jim’s in a mood,'” he said.
Yet, much of his comedy is ultimately based in love and appreciation. He credits his wife for his success.
“In a way, I feel like I brainwashed her to my point-of-view so she’ll come up with lines that are great,” he said, adding, “Every comedian deals with people coming up and saying, ‘What about this or that?’ and 90% of the time it’s not useful information. But with my wife, 90% of the time it’s useful.”
The Jim Gaffigan: Barely Alive Tour will be at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater at 8 p.m. on Thursday. For tickets and more information, go to GRFAVail.com.
