Comedy of Food.

Anyone who spends a little time online has probably seen a video clip of Jim Gaffigan's bit on Hot Pockets. It's a classic.

There was a point last year that I would watch a YouTube video of that one bit repeatedly.

Last spring on Inland Empirical's coast-to-coast roadtrip, my traveling companion had it on his iPod and we listened to it between Oklahoma City and Okemah several times. My traveling companion and I both have pretty brutal senses of humor [at times, downright mean], so we both have a lot of respect for someone who can have us rolling in tears in the middle of nowhere without resorting to swearing and crude themes, just Hot Pockets.

It didn't occur to me till very recently to even look into finding a copy of the entire show. Couldn't track down a copy of the DVD, but did secure the CD. Empirical readers, Jim Gaffigan's Beyond the Pale is highly recommended. Clocks in at just under an hour and is packed with talent. I knew the guy was funny: Sierra Mist ads, Pale Force, the bits of him that disappear into little guest spots here and there. I didn't know the guy is as sharp throughout the show as he is in the Hot Pockets bit.

He talks a lot about food. He even jokes that he has a lot of food jokes. And he being originally from the Midwest, I thought it was of particular interest to Inland Empire residents who make similar choices in what we eat--unlike the rest of health-conscious Southern California. References not only to Hot Pockets but Doritos, free samples, fast food, sweets, Cinnabon, "spray cheese," overeating, a mild rejection for vegetarianism and mild intimidation by ethnic foods. A bulk of the show is about eating and it's delivered in a folksy, familiar voice; he's the funny guy at your dinner party.

Pick it up. Doesn't disappoint. I have it on my iPod now and I've already listened to it six times. I'm still impressed that he can be funny and inoffensive at the same time--when's the last time that's been done successfully without irritation?