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‘Funny, not clean’: comedian Jim Gaffigan on ‘weirdo’ expats, gratitude and spending the pandemic with his children

  • Jim Gaffigan talks to the Post about expat communities in the countries he tours in, where he finds inspiration for jokes and experiencing different cultures
  • He reveals his thoughts on feeling appreciative of his life and why he considers himself luckier than many other comedians that the pandemic hit when it did

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US comedian Jim Gaffigan performs in Hong Kong on April 3. He finds material in everyday things from religion to food and family, he says. Photo: Live Nation
Kylie Knott

US funny man Jim Gaffigan is the good boy of comedy with a clean reputation – unlike most stand-up comics, he does not swear.

“If I really wanted an adjective to describe my routines then funny, not clean, would be the obvious one,” says Gaffigan via Zoom from Boracay, the resort island in the Philippines known for white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and “pretty good hotel breakfast buffets”.

Gaffigan is travelling with his wife and five children – “you might as well make it as difficult as possible”, he quips. But deep down, the New York-based comedian loves exploring. “I truly love experiencing different cultures,” he says, adding he has been to Asia five times.

The three-time Emmy-winning comedian has returned to the region for his Dark Pale Tour, which included a debut show in Manila at the end of March and shows in Singapore on April 2 and Hong Kong on April 3.

Gaffigan performs during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia in 2015. Photo: AFP
Gaffigan performs during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia in 2015. Photo: AFP

“Of course I like to research the culture and history of the place I’m performing in,” he says. “It might translate to just a minute of jokes but the audience appreciates the effort.

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