Jim Gaffigan: Self-Awareness Is Essential in Comedy — and In Life - Big Think
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Jim Gaffigan is a Grammy nominated comedian, New York Times best-selling author, top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling father of five. He recently wrapped the first season of his semi-fictitious television[…]
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Being self-aware is one of the more important things a person can be. Knowing one’s physical capability means not doing things that are outside those limits, thereby avoiding danger, injury and undoubtedly some embarrassment. Knowing that a person is allergic to cats, means they can avoid pet dander and keep their health up. We’re self-aware about health, but awareness has broader applications.


It also means being conscious of the different struggles a person can go through internally. Jim Gaffigan, comedian and producer of The Jim Gaffigan Show, was able to self-recognize and understand how other people saw him. Being a pale as snow and heavy round the middle (that’s by his own admission – see his brilliant memoir Dad is Fat ), he knew it might be easier to be cast in ‘character roles’ than as the lead. And as a comedian, Gaffigan knows an audience responds to honesty. If he knows how people perceive him, that’s makes for common ground, and from there he can make them laugh.

It all has to do with being self-aware. Exhibit A: when OC actress Mischa Barton very recently posted about police brutality on Instagram, with a photo of herself standing in a bikini on a yacht in beautiful blue waters while drinking a cocktail. Not aware. Painfully unaware.

Exhibit B: Trevor Martin, YouTube personality and CSGO Lotto owner that’s being sued for scamming his viewers. He apologized to the audience he scammed while sitting in his large, fancy home, with a fancy car in the background.

Being self-aware can combat moments like this. Acknowledging the reality and seeing things objectively wards off dislike, and disarms critics, says Gaffigan. When he knows he’s underdressed for a formal evening, he can make a quip about it, showing that he understands what the audience sees, and what they see of him. It lets them know that he too sees reality. From there a comedian can bridge the gap between them and the audience – jokes can fly more smoothly and the audience can start to identify with the comedian. And it’s not just for comedians, a little self-awareness goes a long way for individuals, whether you’re in business, at a social gathering, and to improve the authenticity of your relationships.

Tune in to the The Jim Gaffigan Show.


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