Hot Pockets, Hoosiers

From sitcoms to  commercials and multiple Comedy Central specials, his deadpan, observational humor has catapulted Indiana native Jim Gaffigan to the top of the comedy circuit. On May 15 and 16, Gaffigan will be performing at the Murat in Indianapolis to promote his new album, “King Baby.”

WEEKEND caught up with Mr. Hot Pocket himself to discuss, among other things, the ups and downs of being a Hoosier.

WEEKEND: Okay, so you’re from Chesterton, Indiana. Do you like performing in your home state more so than others? Do you get a better reception here?
Gaffigan: Being from Indiana in many ways shapes how I do my stand-up. There are some jokes in Indiana that I can do that I simply can’t do in other states. There is a certain context that living in Indiana helps with, like even understanding what “The Region” is. There are a bag of jokes that I only pull out if I’m in Indiana, and maybe Chicago.

W: Do you try to stay away from bagging on Indiana when you perform here? For example, you used to do a bit on how all Hoosiers want to do is move out of the state. 
G: Well, there’s a different type of pride in Indiana. I don’t want to generalize an entire state, but there’s a certain type of awareness you get from Indiana natives. There’s not a Bronx mentality or people screaming, “Philly!” It’s like the exact opposite of a rapper referencing Compton. I think most people in Indiana realize that.

W: You’re pretty popular with the college set. What were you like during your years at Georgetown? Did you have any idea you wanted to be an actor or comedian or did you suffer through some terrible major like the rest of us?
G: Oh yeah, I studied finance in college. I mean, I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I was kind of steered into that by my parents. I definitely loved college, but it’s no different of how I am today, where I’m always three steps behind where I should be – whether it’s being ready for a test or having to buy meal points. But I always had a “work hard, play hard” mentality. But yeah, I’m basically the same way now as I was then. 

W: “Beyond the Pale” is filled with self-deprecating humor. Your new CD that you’re touring behind is called “King Baby.”  Care to explain that at all?
G: “King Baby” was simply a nickname that my wife gave me a bunch of years ago to describe how much she spoils me. That, and of course the fact that I look like a giant, oversized baby. But yeah, given the topics I deal with, it’s not like my album was going to be called something like “The Enforcer!” “King Baby” is basically just an inside joke between my wife and I.

W: Is it just totally refreshing to introduce new material or nervewracking? How sick of hearing, “Hot Pockets!” are you?
G: The “Hot Pockets” thing is a blessing and a curse. I mean, it certainly helps that they keep introducing products so I can have more jokes on it. But with the new and old material, my humor still revolves around mundane observations. For example, when Vice President Cheney shot that guy in the face, all the social satirists had five minutes, but I was out there doing jokes about escalators. There’s something about observational humor – it lasts a lot longer and it’s a little more painstaking.  It’s all about finding an original angle, which can be hard.

W: Without giving it away, what can fans expect from the show in Indy? More food jokes?
G: Well, I always deal with edgy topics like food. But I mean, I’m like the “ID.” I’m the guy who is lazy and doesn’t want to get off the couch, so the stuff I deal with is mainly this romanticized idea of gluttony and laziness that I think a lot of Americans struggle with.

W: How do you get the material for your food jokes? Do you use eating as an excuse to get inspired? 
G: (laughs) I wish that was the case. I mean, it’s weird. I’m going on my fourth hour of material, so a lot of food I’ve already covered. It’s not like I just sit down and tell myself, “OK, now I’m going to deal with mustard.” You may find a topic and only be able to squeeze one joke out of it, but I like to have a bunch of stuff on everything I talk about.

W: When I told my mom I was interviewing you, she went, “Oh! The guy who smashes watermelons!” Do you think you’ll have an informed audience at the Murat?
G: (laughs) Really? Well, what’s great about doing shows at a theatre is that no one is showing up there not knowing who you are. At a comedy club, there are some people who may act like they’re at a funeral. But a theater show, the energy level is so high. People bring their friends, and it’s kind of seen as a night out, which is just great.

W: When can we expect more “Pale Force” on Conan O’Brien?
G: The problem with “Pale Force” is that it takes so much time to do. And the people that work on it, like my brother Paul who does the sound and music, have gone on to other jobs. But for people that are aching for more Pale Force, I do have some episodes on my new DVD. Oh, and I’ll be on Conan on June 8.

W: Do you ever feel pressured to be funny? Do you wake up some days and say, “Nope, no joking around for me today”? 
G: Not really. I’m sort of a deadpan, sarcastic guy to begin with. My act is much like my personality. It’s not like I’m out there being Robin Williams or Dane Cook, who are both high energy guys. I have two kids, so I’m not doing all sorts of movie premieres or anything – it’s much more mundane. I never really feel pressure to act a certain way because, really, that’s my personality to begin with.

*Tickets for Gaffigan’s May 15 and 16 shows can be purchased online at his Web site, www.jimgaffigan.com, or at the Murat Theatre Web site, www.livenation.com.