JIM GAFFIGAN Tanned in Jamaica

Summary

Podcast Summary: Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers – Episode: "JIM GAFFIGAN Tanned in Jamaica"

In this vibrant episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers, hosts Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers sit down with renowned comedian Jim Gaffigan to delve into the humorous and heartwarming tales of family vacations gone right—and hilariously wrong. Released on November 19, 2024, the episode titled "JIM GAFFIGAN Tanned in Jamaica" offers listeners an engaging blend of personal anecdotes, family dynamics, and the unique challenges of traveling with a large family.

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1. Celebrating Family Highlights

The episode kicks off with Seth and Josh commending Pashi (Josh Meyers) on a recent feature in People magazine, centered around his wedding.

• Seth Meyers [00:03]: "Nice spread in People magazine about your wedding."

Pashi humbly acknowledges the recognition, sharing a sentimental moment about Mackenzie’s late grandmother’s wish to see the family featured.

• Pashi [00:28]: "I feel like Mackenzie was extra tickled because one of her grandmothers always... got People magazine."

This segment underscores the familial pride and the joy of seeing loved ones celebrated publicly.

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2. Navigating Technology with Humor

The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as Jim Gaffigan joins in on a discussion about modern technology mishaps during family interactions.

• Pashi [02:24]: "Dad had the camera pointed towards mom and Albert, our old English sheepdog."

Jim humorously reflects on his own tech struggles, leading to playful banter about microphone issues.

• Jim Gaffigan [00:58]: "I'm sorry if there was a delay."

This exchange highlights the generational gap in tech savviness, adding a relatable and funny layer to the discussion.

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3. Teasing Upcoming Family Adventures

Seth and Josh hint at future episodes, particularly an anticipated trip to Pittsburgh that will feature their parents, promising more family-centric stories and possibly some playful rebuttals from Dad.

• Seth Meyers [03:25]: "We're gonna do an episode with mom and dad. And I believe it is the oft promised rebuttal episode."

This teaser builds excitement for listeners eager to hear more about the Meyers family dynamics.

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4. Fitness and Family Fun

The brothers discuss their sister Mackenzie’s athleticism, especially her dedication to pickleball, juxtaposed humorously against her usual horseback riding activities.

• Pashi [04:16]: "There are some muscles that you use in pickleball that you don't use while riding a horse."

Seth adds a witty remark about Mackenzie’s fitness, enhancing the playful tone of the conversation.

• Seth Meyers [04:25]: "The only way you could be fitter is if you gave rides to horses."

This segment showcases the blend of humor and admiration within the family.

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5. Spotlight on Jim Gaffigan’s Family Travels

Jim Gaffigan shares insightful and amusing stories from his extensive family travels. Growing up as the youngest of six children, Jim recounts a transformative European trip during his childhood.

• Jim Gaffigan [20:42]: "We took a trip to Ireland and Scotland... following my parents while I ate a hot dog."

He vividly describes experiences like visiting Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and encountering quirky characters, painting a lively picture of his early travel memories.

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6. The Challenges of Traveling with Five Kids

Jim delves into the logistics and chaos of traveling with a large family, balancing his comedy career with parenting five children. He humorously admits to struggling with maintaining connections with his extensive family during tours.

• Jim Gaffigan [12:03]: "But I think it's also good. The value that you guys do this podcast is incredible."

The conversation highlights the unique challenges and rewards of managing a big family while maintaining a demanding career.

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7. Sunburns and Vacation Mishaps

A recurring joke about the family's susceptibility to sunburn adds levity to the episode. Jim and the Meyers brothers share anecdotes about excessive sunbathing and the ensuing discomforts.

• Jim Gaffigan [32:29]: "Back in that time, sunscreen was kind of, you know, you could do it or you could be a man."

This playful jab at past sun protection habits underscores the universal struggles of family vacations.

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8. Ski Trips: A Balancing Act

The discussion shifts to the complexities of organizing ski trips with multiple children. Jim shares the exhaustion of managing five kids on the slopes while trying to enjoy his own activities.

• Jim Gaffigan [37:25]: "It’s an enormous Time commitment. And the kids just love it."

Seth empathizes, sharing his own appreciation for the family moments during ski trips, despite the logistical challenges.

• Seth Meyers [36:28]: "We've taken ski trips with the boys... such a moment of quiet."

This segment beautifully captures the bittersweet nature of family vacations—balancing activity with moments of peace.

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9. Extended Family and Vacation Logistics

Jim humorously discusses the impracticalities of involving extended family in vacations, emphasizing the logistical nightmares of managing large groups.

• Jim Gaffigan [41:25]: "We’ve alienated extended family... It’s just too big."

The brothers laugh over the idea of a family jar packed into a Sprinter van, highlighting the sheer scale of their travel.

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10. Memorable Moments and Personal Growth

Throughout the episode, Jim shares key moments that shaped his love for travel, including a life-changing trip to Europe and hosting family trips on his comedy tours.

• Jim Gaffigan [57:07]: "We did Mount Rushmore, saw Crazy Horse... just cool stuff."

These reflections offer listeners a deeper understanding of how family travels have influenced Jim’s personal and professional life.

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11. Lightning Round: Quickfire Questions

In a fun lightning round, Jim answers rapid-fire questions, revealing his preferences and quirks about vacations.

• Josh Meyers [60:55]: "Is your ideal vacation relaxing, adventurous, or educational?"

• Jim Gaffigan [60:57]: "I would say educational."

• Josh Meyers [61:19]: "If you could take a vacation with any Family, alive or dead, real or fictional, what family would you like to take a family vacation with?"

• Jim Gaffigan [61:30]: "Mark Twain's family because I think he did a lot of traveling."

This segment adds a dynamic and engaging close to the episode, allowing listeners to hear Jim’s spontaneous and candid responses.

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Conclusion

Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers masterfully blends humor with heartfelt stories, offering an intimate glimpse into Jim Gaffigan’s extensive family travels. From sunburned mishaps to the joys of skiing with five kids, the episode is a delightful journey through the chaos and charm of large family vacations. Notably, Jim’s reflections on balancing a comedy career with family life resonate deeply, providing both laughs and relatable moments for listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Gaffigan [08:19]: "I’m not doing anything. I’m failing miserably but my wife does most of it."

• Jim Gaffigan [32:29]: "Back in that time, sunscreen was kind of, you know, you could do it or you could be a man."

• Jim Gaffigan [37:25]: "It’s an enormous Time commitment. And the kids just love it."

• Jim Gaffigan [41:25]: "We’ve alienated extended family... It’s just too big."

These quotes encapsulate Jim’s humorous yet honest take on the complexities of family and travel, making the episode both entertaining and insightful.

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Listeners who tune into this episode can expect a blend of comedy, personal anecdotes, and genuine reflections on the joys and challenges of family vacations with a large dynamic. Whether reminiscing about past trips or planning future adventures, Seth, Josh, and Jim offer a relatable and entertaining narrative that celebrates family bonds and shared experiences.

Transcript

[Sufi]

Hey, Pashi.

[Pashi]

Hey, Sufi.

[Sufi]

How are you?

[Pashi]

I'm great. How are you?

[Sufi]

Can I toot your horn for a second?

[Pashi]

Sure.

[Sufi]

Nice spread in People magazine about your wedding. Oh, yeah.

[Pashi]

Thank you.

[Sufi]

Thank you very. I enjoyed watching that a great deal.

[Pashi]

Yeah. I feel like Mackenzie was extra tickled because one of her grandmothers always, like, got People magazine, and she was just like, oh, to think that if my grandmother was still here, that I would be in it.

[Sufi]

I. They came out online first, and I talked to mom, and mom said, will all those pictures be in the physical magazine? And I had to tell her that I don't now nor have I ever worked for People magazine. And I will find out along with her, there were photos of People. And of course, you did the polite thing, which is you reached out to People and asked them, are you okay with us letting these pictures be published in People magazine? Can you tell? Will you share what Jack McBrayer said when you asked him?

[Pashi]

He said, yes, please. I love fame.

[Sufi]

Yeah. It was very exciting. Yeah.

[Pashi]

And I don't know either if it'll be in the physical magazine.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right.

[Sufi]

We don't know. Right. But I know, I know they definitely got some either way. They tricked mom into buying one.

[Pashi]

Well, they tricked dad, really, because mom sent dad out to go buy several copies, and then he told me, it's not in the magazine. I don't see them in here also, in a way that I was supposed to have known.

[Sufi]

Yeah. That you were supposed to rectify.

[Pashi]

Yeah. So we don't know. Maybe it'll be in eventually, maybe not. Maybe it's just online.

[Sufi]

If it's not, you know, what will be in a letter to the editor from Hillary O. Myers, a very strongly worded letter.

[Pashi]

Nonetheless, we FaceTimed with Mom and dad on Sunday, and they were on the couch, and I said, do you want to FaceTime after there was an exciting football game. And I was like, you want to FaceTime after this? And they said, sure. And I really got to get them. I want them to either have their iPad or their computer, because when it's just a phone, they can never fit both of themselves, even though you can. You know, there is a way to do this, but.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right.

[Sufi]

But it's beyond them.

[Pashi]

Yeah. But dad answered, and he had the camera pointed towards mom and Albert, our old English sheepdog. And Albert was essentially just, like, laying on Mom's legs on the couch, and he was doing this very funny thing where she would say some comment about, like, oh, your father wanted me to go buy, like, turkey and a Jar of gravy. And he would hit the camera flip button, and then it would. A camera on him, and he'd give a big thumbs up, and then he'd flip it back.

[Sufi]

That's impressive. That's a bit. That requires some tech knowledge. So I'm really.

[Pashi]

Yeah, it was really funny. Although then, like, in the middle of the conversation, we realized that mom could never see us because dad was looking through the camera phone, pointing it at her. And so she seemed sort of disconnected because she was. Because it was FaceTime and she had no FaceTime.

[Sufi]

There you go.

[Pashi]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Just key to FaceTime.

[Pashi]

Yeah. But it was a funny bit by dad.

[Sufi]

And we've got our trip coming up to. As we talk about our parents. It's important. I'll tease it. We're gonna take another trip to Pittsburgh. We're gonna do an episode with mom and dad. And I believe it is the oft promised rebuttal episode. Dad's been keeping a list.

[Pashi]

If it's not, dad might shut us down.

[Sufi]

Oh, yeah. No, right. No, right. If there's a. If dad has enough to rebut, which based on know and Dad, I think he will have plenty.

[Pashi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sufi]

We might have to break it into a trilogy, like Lord of the Rings. I'm trying to think of what else I had to tell you. Oh, you pickleballed with mackenzie.

[Pashi]

Oh, yeah. We pickleballed. She's so fit.

[Sufi]

She's one of the fittest people I know.

[Pashi]

Right. Because she rides horses every day. She's out there and she's walking around. If she's teaching a lesson, she might be on her feet, but she's walking around. She's very physical.

[Sufi]

The only way you could be fitter is if you gave rides to horses.

[Pashi]

Sure.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

But when she does something that's not her normal activity, she ends up using these little muscles that she somehow doesn't use in riding a horse. And it turns out there are some muscles that you use in pickleball that you don't use while riding a horse. And she's got very. One side of her butt is in real trouble.

[Sufi]

Totally out of commission.

[Pashi]

Yeah. I don't know how she's doing it today. Cause I think she's just riding horses, but she's doing it. Cause that's what she does.

[Sufi]

Well, that's good to hear. Jim Gaffigan. I mean, this guy, he brings the heat.

[Pashi]

Five kids, five kids, 10 specials. It's insane.

[Sufi]

Yeah. Five kids, 10 specials. That's everything you need to know about.

[Pashi]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Hey, we said you can watch my special now. I don't know if we've. I feel like maybe we haven't plugged it enough here on family trips, but we've plugged it.

[Pashi]

Not enough. Not enough.

[Sufi]

Not enough. Anyway, you know, look, it's on Max. You can watch it.

[Pashi]

It's on Max. According to my wife's mother, your genes were exceptional.

[Sufi]

Oh, you know what? I want to give a shout out to Alexi because I've been getting a lot of feedback on both my hair and my outfit and the special, and I definitely turned that over to Alexi, and no surprise here, she crushed it.

[Pashi]

Yeah. So. Got them. How'd you get all that in them jeans?

[Sufi]

What's that?

[Pashi]

How'd you get all that in them jeans?

[Sufi]

All righty. Well, I believe that was also a Jeff Tweedy song, right?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, sure.

[Sufi]

Yeah. All right, guys, enjoy Jim Gaffigan family.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Chips with the My Brothers family chips with the M. Here we go.

[Sufi]

Hello.

[Pashi]

Hi.

[Jim Gaffigan]

With. Is this, like, you have to do this one to earn the day drinking thing?

[Sufi]

Yeah, you do. Okay. You impress us, and then you get to day drink.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's so intimidating.

[Pashi]

It's vetting. It's just vetting.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I'm just. You know, I've been sent all this microphone stuff, and, you know, they always send you information, like, hey, make sure you have your microphone set up. And I don't read any of it. So that's. I'm sorry if there was a delay.

[Sufi]

I also, I think it speaks to maybe where you're at from a tech standpoint, that your zoom box says Katie's dad and mom. So clearly a daughter has set it up.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Well, you know, I mean, it's. I'm a single dad, and I also am the mom. Oh, you're both. You know, my kids, you know, they just torture. So with my wife, her zoom box, we were in a very serious family zoom about some family crisis, and one of my kids had changed her appearance to where she appeared like an alien. Like, you know, you can change. And so she was like, I don't know how to get out of this. That's so funny. Anyway, kids just torture you.

[Sufi]

I want to say your special is fantastic, and I'm really happy that my special about being a dad came out a month earlier, because I feel really impressed that I'm managing three kids, and then no one is impressed when they see yours and realize you're managing five.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But, you know, the. The reality is I'm not doing anything. I mean, I'm failing Miserably but my wife does most of it. And she will tell you. She will tell you that she does most of it.

[Pashi]

It's probably the same for you. Seth, wouldn't you say that Alexi says she's doing most of it?

[Sufi]

Yeah, she would echo Jeannie's sentiment there.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Did you.

[Sufi]

I always, like, people must gasp, especially in New York when you say you have five kids, but you came from six, so you must think this is just easy living.

[Jim Gaffigan]

No, I was the youngest, so it's like I didn't really know what was going on. And again, I didn't think I was even going to get married. So, like, I was in my early 30s and I was like, all right, I'm just going to be a weirdo that lives downtown and does stand up. And then you fall in love. You fall in love.

[Sufi]

Did she see you on stage first or did you meet socially?

[Jim Gaffigan]

We met in our neighborhood, I think. Well, she had done. I think we had met at a comedy club. Cause she had done standup, but. Yeah, no, we kind of met in our neighborhood, but it was. I mean, I didn't have any confidence to talk to women till I was in my 30s, really, you know what I mean? Unless I was drunk, you know?

[Pashi]

Well, there are some good things about alcohol.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right?

[Pashi]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Sorry, hold on one second. We need to pause for one second and adjust something. Excuse me.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, am I holding it the wrong way? I'm not even holding it. Is this. There's a sneeze guard.

[Pashi]

Yeah, the sneeze guard was in the right place.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Is this better?

[Sufi]

Yeah, I mean, I kind of feel like we should keep this in the podcast because it's fun that we were burning you and being bad at tech, and then the thing we didn't even know was happening was your microphone was backwards.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's. I mean, but is it backwards?

[Sufi]

I know. All I know is I can hear you way better now.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So, I mean, I always have this, you know, like, I'm gonna have an audio room where I can do, like, animation and stuff like that and do some voiceover. I never am gonna do it. Right.

[Sufi]

Do you have.

[Pashi]

Well, once you move out, I feel like. Yeah, that's when you do it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

No, I mean, I am right now. I mean, my kids are at school, hopefully. No, I'm in my office and there's going to be people walking through. Like, there's no sense of privacy whatsoever, but it's all right.

[Sufi]

How much older was your oldest sibling to you growing up?

[Jim Gaffigan]

She. I think she was. I should know this I could figure it out now. No, I think she was seven or eight years older.

[Sufi]

Okay, so your parents were sort of. I mean, it was with regularity that they were having children.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes.

[Sufi]

Great.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes, it was. But it was a definite amount of chaos.

[Sufi]

Yes.

[Pashi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Definite amount. I mean, it's so bizarre. Right here you are two brothers, Right. And you had this closeness and, you know, I mean, because I had, like, this Irish twin that I was kind of raised with. And it's weird because there's the memory of your childhood, and then you're kind of reconnecting. Are we still as close as we were? Like, do you guys ever feel that way? I'm trying to put you on the spot here.

[Sufi]

We've been lucky because we're just close with our parents, so. Yeah, I think that's the biggest part of it. Don't you, Josh?

[Pashi]

Yeah, I think also, I mean, we don't. We live on different coasts, so when we see each other, there is that sort of specialness to it.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

But I don't know.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But I think it's also good. The value that you guys do this podcast is incredible.

[Sufi]

I mean, we. Because I think that, like, a lot of adult men, Josh and I, before we had the podcast, we would talk once a week, but maybe for three minutes, and then my wife would say, how's he doing? And I would say, oh, I don't know. I don't think that came up. I don't think we talked about it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. Why are we so bad at this?

[Sufi]

I know. I mean, don't you feel like. So you. Are you still. You go on the road with Jerry, right?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Isn't that. Don't you find, like, there's great value in that? Because you just are sort of forced to hang out with a guy that you want to talk to, and you just would never make time otherwise?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, it's very. It's a strange thing, because I think, particularly when you work and, you know, you're juggling family life and all this, it's finding time to do things like men that do these golf trips or stuff like that. Maybe because I travel so much, I'm like, I can't play golf.

[Sufi]

Yeah, that's the way I go.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Like, I even, you know, because I have this special with Hulu, and Bill Burr has one, and Sebastian, I was like, hey, I texted them. I'm like, hey, we should all go. Cause it's all part of the, you know, Disney family. I'm like, we should make them take us to, like, a Cowboys game. On Monday night Football. And Bill's like, I'm doing a play where I'm gonna be out of town for. You know, you can't particularly if you travel. But I think also, Seth, having a show, like, maybe. But I feel like you have a normal life.

[Sufi]

You go, I have the most normal. I think the most normal life you can have, which is every day is the same. I get to come into an office building, and it feels like an office job in a good way.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So when you get done with your show, do you feel pressure to go home, or do you. Cause sometimes you. But don't you go to dinner? I feel like you've invited me to dinner, and I. Yeah, I have invited.

[Sufi]

Well, so what I would do, though, is the show ends early now, and I have time to go home, put my kids to bed, and then I would have dinner after, and then you'd have dinner, and pressure is the wrong word. I feel like I like going home and, you know, putting my kids to bed.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, I know. Yeah. I mean, obviously, we like our kids. You know what I mean?

[Sufi]

Obvious.

[Pashi]

Not always, obviously, but.

[Jim Gaffigan]

All right, so let me ask you this. When you go out to dinner during the week, will you have a cocktail or will you have more than one? I know you two are drunks. Yeah. But, like, how much will you drink during the week?

[Sufi]

I think this. If you and I went out to dinner, I would guess that I would have two cocktails, and if we're really having fun, I might have a third. But I have no. I would never have a glass of wine at home. Right. Like, there's no right. Right. I've completely cut off, like, idle alcohol consumption while I'm sort of having dinner in our apartment.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right. And does your wife drink?

[Sufi]

Not really. No.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Not really.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And so when you. The two brothers get together, it is like, cocktails are planned.

[Pashi]

Not really. I mean, he still is pretty early to bed, and I can speak to the fact that he doesn't drink a lot at home, because when I'm there, there's, like, the same bot of whiskey is, like, still in the closet waiting for me. Like, I could have marked it with.

[Sufi]

A little wax pen, and it would.

[Pashi]

Be at the same spot it was the last time I was there.

[Sufi]

I have your. By the way. I remember because when I was trying to come up with titles for my special, I had the idea. I was like, oh, Father Time. And then I was like, oh, fuck, that's gaff against whiskey.

[Jim Gaffigan]

No, no, it's all good. It's all good. No, it is. It's bizarre. But so the special, how do you feel about it? Cause I know that whenever I'm on your show, you're always kind of. I feel like you and Colin are always torn between stand up and staying home and obviously other commitments.

[Sufi]

I think we did a nice job with this one. It was probably for me, about three years of doing an hour that changed a great deal. I kinda came out of the pandemic and started this one. And then once, once I had a date, I tried to go out one weekend a month where I would do two on a Friday and two on a Saturday. So I think I got about six months of that. But it is a, you know, there is a balance where I don't want it to overtake the time where I can really hang out with my kids.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right, right. So that's what a real dad would do. All right, fine.

[Pashi]

Seth, Jim, you've got like 10 specials or something like that.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I've got 10 specials, but I don't know my kids names.

[Sufi]

You know, when there were five, you didn't blink when I said five.

[Pashi]

So we could remind you. We could quiz you.

[Sufi]

Hey, we're going to take a quick break and hear from some of our sponsors. Support for family trips comes from Airbnb. Hey, Baji.

[Pashi]

Yes, Sufi?

[Sufi]

We got our Pittsburgh trip coming up.

[Pashi]

We do. I'm fired up. And one of the reasons I'm fired up is because once again, we have booked an awesome Airbnb and we're just going to be hanging out in one of dad's old neighborhoods. Dad's old stomping grounds.

[Sufi]

Look, we used to stay at hotels. It was great. No complaints about it. But this is something special because we're a family. And I feel like last year at our Airbnb, it felt like the way we were family when we were growing up. We would all just meet downstairs, we would get some bagels from a local place down the street, brew some coffee, and we were just ready to face the day.

[Pashi]

Yeah. And if you, you know, if we're out and about and we get home, you might want to just throw on the TV and see if there's a game on or play some Scrabble, play a board game. And just be in that shared space and be together, be in a home away from home.

[Sufi]

And being in a living room with mom and dad is very special. Especially not their living room, which is covered in dog dander and gives me an allergic reaction. Some trips are better in an Airbnb when you're Traveling with a group of friends. Maybe you're traveling with large family or an extended family. When you're looking for an authentic or local experience, book your next awesome trip.

[Pashi]

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[Jim Gaffigan]

Here we go.

[Sufi]

So were you. Did you growing up though, have a closest sibling or were you all just sort of like a gaffigan soup?

[Jim Gaffigan]

There was. Yeah, my. My brother Joe was kind of my Irish twin. Got it. There were six kids. There were three blondes and then three brown haired. It was divided by blond, blonde versus brown haired. And so there was an alliance. It was very much. There was violence. It was very. And so my brother Joe and then my sister, who is kind of white, platinum blonde like me. We were an alliance. It was very important.

[Pashi]

Did you have one parent that was blonde and one with brown hair?

[Jim Gaffigan]

No. I mean, they were. No, no. I mean, my dad had like white gray hair and my mom was a blonde, but I think that was bottle blonde kind of thing. I don't want to out her. Right. You know what I mean? But yeah, no, it was weird.

[Sufi]

It's funny. I will say, like, I know platinum blonde is an accurate description of the color of your hair, but it is. I feel like it's so funny. Cause you don't think of it on a man like a man of your age.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I prefer champagne blonde. No, I remember growing up just old ladies coming up to me. Cause now my hair is just like white. But like growing up, old ladies would be like, oh, if I could get your color hair. And I'd be like, who is this woman who is.

[Pashi]

Is she a witch who can take it from.

[Sufi]

Sound like a thing a witch would say.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

And you were Midwesterners? Yes, Mostly Indiana. I know.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Born in Illinois, but then mostly Illinois and then Indiana. Yeah. So there was. I would say it's half and half, but definitely the identity is Indiana. But I'm the youngest, so there's probably some of my siblings that identify more as Illinois.

[Sufi]

And would you guys. I mean, that many kids, I'm assuming you're a road trip family when you go anywhere?

[Jim Gaffigan]

We did a fair amount of road trips. There was a big trip to Europe when I was like 10 or 11, and I think it changed my life, honestly.

[Sufi]

Really?

[Jim Gaffigan]

It was. Yeah, I mean, it was. It really opened my. I mean, I've always loved different cultures and I think it was because of that trip, you know, we went. My mother had lost her mother and they inherited some money, so that was. They justified doing a trip for it, you know. Cause it was six kids. Yeah, my parents and my aunt, my mother's sister. So they split up. My brother and I and my mom went to Ireland and Scotland. Then we all met up in, you know, different places. You know, like, I have core memories, like being in Copenhagen at Tivoli Gardens and following my parents while I ate a hot dog. Following my parents, the blonde people in cardigans, and then them turning around and they weren't my parents and looking around and it was all blonde people. And so I also remember being on a really kind of 1970s era cruise ship in Greece and there was a guy wearing a thong and he was giving people haircuts. It was just like. It was like my first, like, I was like, oh, so that guy's gay? You know, like, it was just like.

[Sufi]

Right. That's like two data points. You're like, I think it's safe to. I wouldn't guess based on one of these data points, but yes.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And I remember being in Italy and Mont d'a Bay and also the first time I had sparkling water because we were so thirsty. We were like, can we get water? And they would give you sparkling water. And we're like, ah, I can't. What is this? But that. I mean, I truly love international travel and I think it all goes back to that.

[Sufi]

It is very. It's such an undertaking. And it's very cool that your parents thought it would be worth it and that it turned out to be worth it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

It's interesting that you split up. Was that. Why do you think that was part of the Plan.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I think they hated each other. No, I don't. I think it was about. I don't know. I think my dad took my two older brothers to like Lake Cuomo or Lake Como or. Yeah, I guess it's not Cuomo.

[Sufi]

And there's a.

[Pashi]

It's a lesser known later.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes. And then my aunt took my sisters to Paris. But. Yeah, So I don't know. I think it was. But that was like back in an era where you would plan these big trips, I guess. And you know, now we do it all online. But I think at that time you'd hire a travel agent to do all of it.

[Sufi]

I just remember when we were going a trip, mom would have just so many papers out and would be on the phone so much and there would just be so much writing down of dates and availability and it's just kind of amazing how it all worked out.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, so cool. So cool. And my. I did a daily journal that on the trip that my mom made me do. And I think I still have it somewhere. It's pretty cool.

[Sufi]

Every. My parents keep finding old journals of mine and it's so depressing. Cause it's like one big entry, then half an entry, and then like just like light notes about girls I thought were cute, but like in the margins, like lists.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Pashi]

So that. I mean, that trip, if you went to Copenhagen, Greece, Italy. How long were you. How long was that whole.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I think it was. I think it was three weeks maybe, which is. Yeah. And I remember we saw. In Edinburgh, we saw Greyfriars Bobby. But. Yeah, so I think it was like. But it was definitely a lot of traveling. Yeah.

[Pashi]

Were you taking trains to get around?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Trains, you know, planes. And then we did this. It was a very. Kind of. Not a cruise ship that. It wasn't like the Love Boat, you know, it was. It was. And again, they didn't know. They probably just booked it and then we got on there and. But yeah, we were all. All the boys were in, you know, rather a depressing room. Like, I think my parents had a nice room, but we were like next to the hull of the boat. And so, yeah, it was pretty. Pretty bizarre, but fun.

[Sufi]

Do you remember how you felt about which parent you had been assigned to travel with? Would you have had one you preferred?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Well, I think. Yeah. I don't know. I was the youngest, so I think it was like traveling with my mom. It was great. Cause I think we could get hot chocolate for breakfast. That's what I remember.

[Sufi]

Your mom was the one that would allow Hot chocolate for breakfast.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. And I think my dad, my dad is like, me, like, I'm very much like, let's get up and do something. Whereas my wife is like, we should just spend the entire vacation unpacking. And I'm just like, we get to a place with my family and I'm like, all right, let's go do something. And my wife's like, no, let's just relax. And I'm like, we gotta go to the pool or something. We gotta do something.

[Sufi]

Yeah, well, you're like my wife.

[Pashi]

Well, it's been a long day of travel.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sufi]

Did you. I. You travel sometimes far afield for work and you bring your family. I remember we talked about it once on the show.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Do you. At what age did you start traveling with all five internationally?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Pretty early. Pretty early. I mean, even before we had five, I remember I brought them all to. I did a shows in Israel, I did Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, you know, and that was bizarre. I mean, they don't remember any of it. You know, that's the whole thing. I was like, I'm so proud of myself. I brought you, you know, we saw, you know, all these historic sites and they're like, really? I want like, they don't even remember going to Disney World. Right?

[Sufi]

So I definitely. It's funny, we brought our kids when they were very little to Uruguay, the boys, which is a long ass trip. And I feel like we constantly talk about it around them to like, almost to incept memories that they'll have. We know they don't remember, but we just talk about it a lot because then if you do that, they will pretend like they remember.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So Uruguay, like, how do you. So I'm fascinated. How did you pick there?

[Sufi]

A friend of a friend said it was incredible. The funny thing was the year before we'd gone to Miami and I said to Alexi, I go, you know what? Miami's great. We never have to go farther than Miami. We just got everything. And she's like, I agree, Miami's great. And then literally the next year she's like, uruguay? I'm like, what?

[Pashi]

Cause it was with a layover in Miami.

[Sufi]

Layover in Miami.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So you went Miami and then what, Buenos Aires?

[Sufi]

No, straight to Uruguay. There's a little, there's an airport in Uruguay. And by the way, if it goes smoothly, it's not terrible because I think you leave Miami, it's same time zone. So I think you leave Miami at 10pm and you land at like 10 in the morning. So that's great.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But our flight, which puts everyone in a good mood.

[Sufi]

Yes. But then our flight got delayed 12 hours, so we left at 10am and landed at 10pm so now it's just. Everybody's awake, the whole flight, and it was an absolute disaster.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, yeah, that's. You bring a baby or a young kid on a plane, that's how you make friends. People just look at you like, they're like, how could you do this? And you're like, I'm sorry.

[Sufi]

I'm sure it's come up. But we flew. When we just had ash, we flew to Europe and he talked. The whole red eye. Just literally just talked. But, like, just baby talked. And then we landed and he screamed. When the wheels hit the ground, he screamed, we did it, guys. And you could just feel the plane did not feel as though we had done it. You brought. You talked about bringing your kids to. You did a tour of Asia, correct?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes, yes.

[Sufi]

And the blonde Gaffigans were like a tourist attraction for the locals.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, absolutely. I mean, going back. My daughter's 20, and we brought her to China, I guess, 20 years ago, and. Cause we had this blonde baby and we went to the Wall, Great Wall. And people were all the people from China at that time, this is 20 years ago, they were just taking pictures of my daughter and, like, she was their Great Wall. And touching her kind of like, is this real? It was so bizarre. And it was cute, but it was also like, you know, leave her alone. And also, I'm a celebrity too, right?

[Pashi]

No one's poking you, right?

[Jim Gaffigan]

What?

[Pashi]

So you were 10 when you did that European tour with your family. So you do remember that. So maybe 10 is a good sort of benchmark for. That's when it's a good time to take your kids somewhere because they will retain something.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, the family trips. Cause otherwise, it's just like this slideshow of memories. Like, I remember my brother, you know, someone pushing him over in a chair so we had to go to a hospital in Hilton Head. I remember, you know, just, you know, like the slideshow of your memories of your childhood. Another sibling throwing a brick at another sibling. It's just weird, weird memories.

[Sufi]

I'm gonna jump. I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and say that you and Josh have a very similar problem with a certain kind of vacation, which is. You guys sunburn pretty easily.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, absolutely.

[Sufi]

Was that across the board? Because we are, you know, for brothers who look alike and sound alike, I actually tan right up.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Really?

[Sufi]

Josh? I Feel like most vacations, there was a day where the issue was how sunburned Josh was.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah, definitely. I mean, also, back in that time, sunscreen was kind of, you know, you could do it or you could be a man. Right. You know what I mean?

[Sufi]

And it was like, basically salad dressing.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It wasn't like. Yeah, there was. Cause there was, like, there were people back then that would just put on baby oil, too. Right. They wanted.

[Pashi]

I feel like our mom was doing that.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But, yeah, so the sun. Yeah. I spent a lot of summers with, like. I don't know if you ever got this. I got a blister. Did you ever get any blisters? You were so sunburned.

[Pashi]

Well, I definitely had, like, a serious flaking off for, you know.

[Sufi]

Yeah. But I don't know that I got.

[Pashi]

A proper sort of sun blister, but. Doesn't sound enjoyable.

[Jim Gaffigan]

No. It's also strange because there is that tug and pull of when you're a teenager, you kind of want to get a tan. But I never got a tan. I remember I ordered tanning pills, which were obviously just fake from some fitness magazine when I was, like, 12. My parents were like. Because they didn't. Because you have to write a check. And they're like, this isn't going to work. And I'm like, I think it's going to work.

[Pashi]

Please.

[Sufi]

And was it across the board for the Gaffigan kids? Were you all.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, we're all pretty pale. I mean, there's my son Michael can kind of tan, but I don't know if it's. He can tan or it's just compared to the rest of us. Right. He's tan, but you definitely tan.

[Sufi]

I tan, yeah. And I, like, hold a tan. Like, I'll be. It'll be like, now people's guests on the show will be like, why are you so tan? I'm like, I don't know. It's been months. I don't know what's.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And so you're. And is it from your mother or your father or the milkman? It's from both of them.

[Pashi]

Both of our parents can get pretty tan.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Right.

[Sufi]

But by the way, like, as a public service announcement to those who are listening, like, both of them should have worn more sunscreen, too. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Pashi]

But, like, mom had, like, a skin cancer thing. I had a skin cancer thing.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, yeah. No. I go to a dermatologist, like, once every. I'm paying for his summer house.

[Sufi]

Right.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's just. Do you get stuff Frozen off. It's brilliant.

[Sufi]

When a guy who looks like you walks into the dermatologist, do you just think they hear a cash register?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes. Yeah. They're just like, ka, ching, ka ching. Kitchen.

[Sufi]

Do you feel like, because you have five kids, do you feel like they would all. If they could choose, have a different kind of place, they would vacation? Or have you had a cohesion as a family with your trips? Has it always been, like, wherever the family goes is great?

[Jim Gaffigan]

You know, it's. I don't know if you've done the ski trips. Cause I feel like we've done those. Yeah, the ski trips is, you know, and again, a lot of it is like, I'm doing shows. If I'm doing shows in Salt Lake City. And we'll try and do it around President's Day weekend. And so the family will come out and we'll do skiing. But there has been a certain. Like, my wife and I are like, yeah, we're done skiing. We're not doing that anymore. And my youngest is like, I'd like to ski. And I'm like, no, we're not doing it. It's just. And I have. I have friends that are like, you just. You don't have to go. And I'm like, I don't even want to go to that place. I'm not. So, like, yeah. So there are family trips that I think people. Because my wife does like warm weather and whatever I can do to, you know, gain her favor, I always plan the trips towards warm weather. You know what I mean? I'd rather go to Iceland, honestly. But like. Or like some city like Barcelona. But she likes warm beach kind of things. But my kids will be like, hey, why don't we have, like, a Christmas with, like, snow and all that? And I'm like, because your mother wants. She wants to get away from the cold.

[Sufi]

So I will say, I think there's nothing that feels more earned than. We've taken ski trips with the boys and that amount of gear and getting them ready and then. But that moment where you. We've handed them over to ski school, and that palpable relief, and I. And because it was so hard, from the minute they woke up to the minute you hand them off, I'm like, this is. I deserve this more than anything I've ever deserved this moment of quiet.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But the skiing and I can appreciate that people truly love it. And I did, like, a CBS Ski Sunday commentary on this. It is such. It's an enormous amount of money. It's an enormous Time commitment. And the kids, you finally get them in a snowsuit, and then they have to go to the bathroom. Right. It's just insane. It's just a weird behavior that humans do.

[Sufi]

Josh loves it. I do not care for it at all. And also, I'm trying so hard because I like the idea of it as a group. But, like, every time I'm going down the mountain, all I'm thinking is, like, this is so dumb.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Well, it's like I'm always kind of like, how many times do I have to do this before I can go in?

[Sufi]

Yes.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Not like a waste.

[Sufi]

It is the most. I'm like, when's lunch? When's lunch? When's lunch? I feel like I'm in school again, where I'm like, when's lunch?

[Jim Gaffigan]

And then you go in for lunch, and every single person's in there for lunch, and you pay, like, $80 for, like, a wrap.

[Pashi]

I go alone so often, and I'll have a sandwich, which is, like, on my person in this little ski backpack. And I sometimes don't go in all day. I go nonstop.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And so what do you think about, besides being a serial killer, when you're going down those mountains, what do you and all those weirdos think about?

[Pashi]

I mean, I think about how beautiful it is. I think about how fun it is and how sort of just propelled by gravity I am in the moment. Yeah. You know, if I'm on a lift alone, sometimes I'll do books on tape or podcasts on the way. On the way up? Yeah, on the way up. A lift. And then music. Sometimes on the way down, or nothing on the way down.

[Sufi]

But even think about that. I'm just thinking about. And so you gotta take your gloves off to switch to music. Everything about Josh's plan of how to make it better makes it sound worse to me.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's interesting.

[Sufi]

There was. I will say, I feel like there was an infusion. We went skiing in Colorado. I feel like the ski teachers last year, there was, like, an infusion of Argentinian, like. And again, like, the most handsome and beautiful people I've ever seen. And it was amazing what a magnet it was to the kids. Like, all of a sudden, they were, like, very excited to get back to the mountain to join up with Fernanda and the rest of the ski coaches. And.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So how long did you go skiing for? Cause it's like. Do you go for a weekend?

[Sufi]

No, we did, like, three days.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Three days. Three days. And it takes you a day to get there? It takes a day to get back because there's a snowstorm and. But so you'll go back and do it. Because as a parent, you're like, you should do this. You should ski.

[Sufi]

The other thing is, it's a two hour time difference, which is just enough to make everything a disaster as far as, like dinner and breakfast. Everything's. It's not enough to, like, reset. Cause it's. And also, you're not gone enough. So you're like, just stay on New York time.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Which means.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And it is also, like, when we were doing it, I was like, oh, this is good. Let's teach them a skill that they'll likely not be able to afford to do when they're adults.

[Sufi]

It has no practical application to life.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's so expensive. It's like, it's just so insanely expensive.

[Sufi]

Do you ever. Because you're such a big group, do you ever travel with, like, extended family?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I mean, I feel like we've alienated extended family. They're like, we're not doing that. I mean, some of it is. Yeah. Sometimes they'll. You know, we used to fly in. My wife has all these sisters, so we would fly in a sister to help and stuff like that. But. But, yeah, but by the way, when we traveled, this was. So if we're traveling with luggage, we can't all fit, even in an suv. Now we can, but. So in other words, we have to be in a Sprinter, which is just insane. Yeah, it's like, so it's just bizarre. You're like, who the hell is this family that is piling out of a Sprinter? Like, it just seems unnecessary. It's just way too big.

[Sufi]

How many siblings did Jeannie have?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Your wife, she's one of nine kids.

[Sufi]

Oh, my God. Wow.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

So it was baked in the cake.

[Sufi]

That you guys were gonna. Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's just. It's just a bunch of craziness. And so we go back to Milwaukee. I love Milwaukee, but we'll go back there and a lot of the siblings are there. So do you.

[Pashi]

Have you ever brought all your kids into like one of your sister's siblings houses for a holiday or do you descend upon a house?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, no. Sometimes people will say, hey, come visit us in the Hamptons. You can bring your kids. I'm like, you don't want that. You know what I mean? Like, I'm not gonna do that to your designer home. Do you know what I mean? It's so cruel. My wife, we have this place that we, you know, the pandemic house. I call It. Right. You know, the pandemic. Everyone's like, I'm going to become a farmer. And so. And my wife has. All right. These kids are older, so she's, you know, getting nice things like a carpet that she actually likes. And we have these rules. No eating in the bedroom. You only eat in the kitchen. They don't listen at all. They don't care.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Anyway, that's a great story.

[Sufi]

So wait, do I have a memory of. You did an episode of Law and Order where you had a lot of kids?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes, yes. And in that episode, I killed my wife.

[Sufi]

That's what I thought.

[Jim Gaffigan]

What a foreshadowing.

[Sufi]

No. Was that just dumb in the script? Was it dumb luck that they cast you as a guy with a ton of kids?

[Jim Gaffigan]

No, they did it on purpose, I think. I think. Well, that's what's. It's Law and Order. I mean, as a New York actor, you love Law and Order. Right? And I haven't done it in, I don't know, maybe 10 or 15 years. But, like, some of what they offer you is like. I think I was offered one. They're like, you're gonna be like a Jeffrey Epstein character. I'm like, I don't know if I want to be a Jeffrey Epstein. Why would you want me for that?

[Sufi]

So I met one. I remember meeting. If there was any upside to, like, the 2007, 2008 writers strike in New York is you would just be on the picket line with people who worked on the New York shows. And I remember meeting Law and Order writers and was like, oh, I'd love to be. Let me be somebody who just gets killed or somebody who finds a body. What I really wanted to be is in that first scene where you find a body.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, yeah.

[Sufi]

And instead they, like, had. They were like, hey, so we have an idea where you're a labor leader who gets murdered. I'm like, that's a little on the nose. Like, literally, the strike just ended. They're like, I don't wanna do a scene where I'm carrying a picket sign and then get beaten down.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But the Law and Order, it never ends. It's amazing.

[Sufi]

I think that's the first time I saw you do dramatic work. And I'm a big fan of your dramatic work.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, I love it. I love it. I wish I could do more of it. But you gotta wait for them to hire you.

[Pashi]

Yeah, you do. You mentioned in your special not burning anything, but that sometimes you shave for work and that this hit a nerve.

[Sufi]

This hit a Nerve for us.

[Pashi]

Yeah. Because our father has always had a mustache. Always, always, always. And we were on vacation once, I think in the Bahamas.

[Sufi]

Sounds right.

[Pashi]

And he shaved before we woke up in the morning because he wanted to be able to tan that upper lip while we were on vacation and try it out. And we hated it so much. We were like crying. We were upset.

[Jim Gaffigan]

How old were you guys? Not 30, 31? Older.

[Sufi]

Not that old, but like too old for a reaction. But also, I mean, in our defense, he did like burst out of the bathroom like, ah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

But it was. I feel like we were like 13 and 11 or something like that. But I don't know what your. How do your kids react when you go because they know you as a bearded gentleman?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, it's never positive. It's. They just, you know, when they, you know, they're like, they bring it up like it's some kind of mistake, but I'm like, it's because of an acting role. And so playing Tim Walls, I had to shave my beard again. It's sad.

[Sufi]

Are they. Do they at least appreciate how cool it is that you're doing snl? Are they of the age?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, yeah.

[Sufi]

Okay, good.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

So at least without your shaving and they know the context.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, no, they love it. I mean, it's. But it is. Yeah, it's. You know, it's funny because my 18 year old is very kind of. There's some cynicism there. He's like, when I got it, he was like, yeah, well, you know, snl, there's just that cynical. I'm like, it's still amazing. He goes, no, it's totally amazing. But he's like, yeah, well, he's just such the cool guy teenager.

[Sufi]

That's so funny being like, well, you're right. Maybe I'll hold out and play Tim Walls somewhere else.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. Yeah. Maybe I'll. Maybe I'll wait for some other. The last remaining legendary comedy show that's been around for 50 years.

[Sufi]

You're right. I shouldn't just jump at the first offer to do Wells.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Sufi]

Have they come? Have you brought your kids to the show?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I have not. I have. You know, it is. Well, some of them are in college and. But there's part of me initially, the first couple weeks. I don't want that anxiety disintegree.

[Sufi]

Also, it's weirdly. Cause you're not. As a host. You would have to have them come, but you're not a host. And there's a real. I appreciate that. The pressure is not one where you'd want to.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. And I also just, I want to be a good soldier there. Like, I don't want to be like my 10 year old is looking for, you know, I don't want to ask for any favors.

[Sufi]

Hey, Lauren, my 10 year old would love to know about how you got into the business.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes.

[Pashi]

Going back to a young Jim, when you've got all these siblings and you take these road trips, where were you guys going? Were you visiting grandparents or were you actually just traveling to travel?

[Jim Gaffigan]

There was, I think I was the youngest, so I think there was definitely road trips driving to, you know, South Carolina, North Carolina or Florida. But when I got older, I think there were trips like, to, like, we took a trip to Jamaica and this even ties into the sunscreen thing. I think I was in seventh grade and just the amount of insecurity, like, people would be like, why are you so pale? And I'm like, oh, I, like, I was such a. I was like, well, I actually tan in different parts of the world. Like, just bizarre stuff. And then we ended up going to Jamaica and some guy was like, yeah, well, you said you tan in different parts of the world, so when you come back from Jamaica, you'll be tanned. I go, yeah, I probably will be. I know it sounds like I'm making that up, but in seventh grade that made sense.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

So we would go to Jamaica, but we would stay at a resort. And, you know, I remember there was, you know, crab races and then they had great burgers. That's what, you know, I just cared about the food.

[Sufi]

Do you ever. Was there ever a time where like, all six of you were given the freedom to go off and do something on your own without your parents?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, I would say there was, there was. On vacations, there was pretty much independence. And then we would meet up for dinner. I think my dad was kind of like, see ya. You know what I mean? And we would have some independence. But some of it, in some ways I don't remember. Like, I don't like when you think about vacations, it's like you have memories of moments, but like, you know, there's. You don't remember some of what you would do in the morning. Like, I don't even know how we would eat breakfast, but I'm sure we did.

[Sufi]

Right.

[Pashi]

Do you know if. Were those resorts all inclusive? So were you able.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I think the Jamaica one was very much all inclusive.

[Pashi]

We've had guests who like, were so excited that you could just keep going to the bar and say, can I have another Coke and just like all day, just like crushing Coca Colas and burgers and whatnot.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, but you know what I think the Jamaica won was you had to put a name down and all the siblings would put other siblings names down. So you wouldn't. It wouldn't. If you got a Coke, it wouldn't be charged under your name.

[Pashi]

Right.

[Sufi]

Do the 5. When your 5 travel, do they mostly get along? Are they better behavior or worse behavior than normal life in New York?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I think they have a better time. Yeah, they're definitely. They have more fun, but they're so dramatically different. So the interests are really all over the place. So if, you know, my oldest would love to do some kind of see musical theater or something like that. And my son would just. My 18 year old would just want to go and criticize, you know, the locals. You know, not the locals, but like, you know, he'd be like all these stupid rich people, you know what I mean? And then my younger sons would just wanna, like, if there's a basketball court around, you know.

[Sufi]

So what's the closest age gap between your five?

[Jim Gaffigan]

My two youngest, my. And they're. I think it's like 18 months. But I remember my wife and I with. We had like the first trip away after the birth of my son Michael. We went to the super bowl when it was in Indianapolis, and I did a gig and she was there and we were gonna have fun. And she woke up one morning and so I think my son was maybe five months old or something like that. And she was like, you gotta go and get me a pregnancy test. I'm like, you're not pregnant. You can't be pregnant. And so then I went and got a pregnancy test and she was pregnant.

[Sufi]

Wow. Yeah, that really puts a damper on the Super Bowl.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, it really, you know, it got in the way of the more important things.

[Sufi]

Had you in your head when you. At what point do you think you and Jeannie knew you were gonna have five kids? Was it when you. Was it that pregnancy test or was it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, there was a certain. Yeah, I mean, some of it is like I was going along where I believe it's an abundant universe and stuff like that, and not really being practical and particularly realizing they were all gonna eventually be teenagers. I didn't really think of that, but yeah. So, like, I remember when she went. When we went for the ultrasound for our youngest, Patrick, I was like, what are we doing? And she was like, how dare you? It was the worst because I'm so Clumsy. She was like, what? You don't want this child? I'm like, no, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying, should we. What are we doing? You know what I mean? So it was. Cause there is. I mean, but, like, when you had. So, like. Did you have a discussion? I kind of.

[Sufi]

I kind of. Because I'm. You know, obviously, we're two. Our boys are exactly the same age difference of Josh and I. And it just felt, like, nice and symmetrical. And then it was sort of during the pandemic that Alexi said, I think we should try one more time. And. And it was. You know, so I sort of went along. And, you know, obviously, I can't believe how lucky I am that we did. And I'm so happy we have a girl, too, who's just, you know, as. You know, they're just so much smarter, which is great.

[Jim Gaffigan]

They're so much more civilized.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But here's my question. I mean, like, people are like. Cause people are like, leave your wife alone. Leave her alone. You know what I mean? But there is part of me that's. I, you know, I'm not gonna say no to my wife if, you know, she's like. I mean, now I think it's that we're done. But, like, how do. Like, if you. You know, I don't wanna put you on the spot, but, like, if your wife was like, I would like another one. Are you gonna sit there and go, no, of course not. You know what I mean?

[Sufi]

Of course not.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's like you're like, all right. I mean, I'm not gonna do most of the work, so. Sure. You know what I mean? One of those things where, like, all right. I mean, I'm not going to be doing any breastfeeding, so I guess I'm open to it. You know, you already got the.

[Pashi]

All the toys and all the clothes.

[Sufi]

Because she knows exactly what it would take out of her. I would know. If she wanted to. She would really want to, because she knows the. You know, she knows what has to go into it. And so I definitely thought there. I mean, I think that window's closed for us as well. But I also. If we'd have started earlier. I remember if I'd started earlier. She started at a perfectly normal time.

[Jim Gaffigan]

But if I'd have started earlier. Shovel. Shovel.

[Sufi]

Well, Josh, do you have anything else?

[Pashi]

I don't know. Are there any sort of disaster stories that you can think of from your youth or from taking your own family somewhere? Any trips gone wrong that Pop out in your mind?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Well, I guess just any. You know, there's the family trip, which is different from a vacation. Right. There is. There's a certain amount of. Yeah, I don't know. I feel like we're so lucky that we even can do some of these things. Right.

[Sufi]

Do you ever lose your temper, Jim? You don't strike me as someone.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh my gosh, are you kidding? Constantly. I thought you were going to say, do you ever lose kids? Because we lose kids too. You lose them now. I mean, now they're more kind of like they're leaving than losing a kid. But we'd go into stores and we'd leave and we're like, hey, where's Katie? And you go back and see business.

[Sufi]

Like I was hiding.

[Jim Gaffigan]

You're like, that's not funny. But I did a bus tour where I. I mean, this is insane. So five kids, 30 straight days, maybe 28 nights doing a show a night. Five kids on a bus. Like we did that.

[Sufi]

Oh my God. And how old were they? Was it the summer?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Like, were they maybe the youngest was one. Yeah, it was definitely summer.

[Sufi]

Okay. So that's part of their summer vacation. And so that means that you probably during the day have to do activities with them even though you have a show at night, because otherwise what's the point of bringing them.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, I think I'm surprised I didn't tell you about it because there is something about. You don't have to do that many dates. But the tour bus thing is kind of cool and the kids love it. They're in a bunk. It's incredibly exhausting. It's really unfair. Cause, you know, there's also during the day of a show, I'm like, I gotta take a nap because I peek at 9:00 at night. But so we did that a couple times. We went to Mount Rushmore, saw Mount Rushmore, saw, you know, Crazy Horse, you know, really cool stuff. And we would do. And some of the stuff's cool and some of it's just silly. Like, you know, I think we went on a pirate cruise in Erie, Pennsylvania. You know what I mean? But it's almost great doing those things. Cause you're doing them with your kids and then you're doing stand up at night, which I love.

[Pashi]

Yeah. Do you think that's the worst gig that bus driver ever had?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. No, there's. Cause there's drama, right? There's just self contained drama. And there's also on a tour bus, you're not supposed to really use the Toilet. And so. But of course, a kid doesn't know that.

[Pashi]

Is there any other crew on the bus or was it just you and your family and the driver?

[Jim Gaffigan]

It would just be the family.

[Sufi]

And that's fun.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, it was fun. And, you know, the kids just loved it. Cause you're in a tour bus, so they loved it.

[Sufi]

What was the most amount of time on the bus on any given day? Like, as far as how far apart the gigs were?

[Jim Gaffigan]

It would be. I mean, sometimes there would be like an overnight drive for like eight hours. It was insane. But we would go and then you'd go to like a Holiday Inn Express. And they're so young and so they'd love that. You're, you know, there's a swimming pool, you know, or you're in Arkansas, and we'd go fishing at some pond. So they loved it. So, like two comedians, I always say, you know, that is something really kind of fun if you want to do sets. Cause I was telling Colin Jost, I'm like, I don't think he could do it. But you can literally just hit a bunch of cool markets and like, go to Nashville, go to, you know, Lexington, Kentucky, or, you know, they're great cities.

[Sufi]

Did you. Last thing I'll ask before we get to our lightning round. You shot at the Wilbur. Have you shot all 10 specials at 10 different locations or have you done. I feel like you did Wilbur before or no?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah, I've done three at the Wilbur.

[Sufi]

Gotcha.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And some of it is just the timing of when I'm getting ready to shoot.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And I think I had to move it for some other reason. Maybe because I got some acting job. And the Wilbur, they're just. I mean, Boston, it's such a great market for comedy. And it's just a no brainer. I mean, obviously everywhere I've taped specials I've loved, but it just is a no brainer there. You know what I mean?

[Sufi]

It's great theater. The way that everybody feels like on top of you. It's really nice.

[Jim Gaffigan]

And everyone that works there knows what they're doing.

[Sufi]

Yeah, it's great. It's a good operation. All right, we're going to ask you our questions that all our guests get. And Josh is going to fire it off.

[Pashi]

All right, here we go. You can only pick one of these. Is your ideal vacation relaxing, adventurous, or educational?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I would say educational.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

What is your favorite means of transportation? Train, Plane. Automobile? Boat? Bike?

[Sufi]

Tour bus?

[Pashi]

Walking tour bus.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I would say plane.

[Pashi]

If you could take a vacation with any Family, alive or dead, real or fictional? Other than your own family, what family would you like to take a family vacation with?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, that's interesting. Oh, wow. I would say Mark Twain's family because I think he did a lot of traveling.

[Sufi]

That's a good one.

[Pashi]

He at least had good story. If he didn't travel, he could have convinced you that he did.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

If you had to be stranded on a desert island with one member of your family, who would it be?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, my gosh. I mean, probably my wife. Cause she does everything. Yeah.

[Sufi]

Yeah.

[Pashi]

It's a good call. And your hometown is Chesterton, Indiana?

[Sufi]

Yes.

[Pashi]

Is that correct?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yes.

[Pashi]

Would you recommend Chesterton, Indiana as a vacation destination?

[Jim Gaffigan]

Actually, yes, there is. The Indiana dunes are right there and yeah, it is a really. It's like when I was growing up, they didn't even have a McDonald's and now it's, you know, suburbia Chicago.

[Pashi]

So, yeah. Great. And then Seth has our final questions.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Have you been so nervous?

[Sufi]

Have you been to the Grand Canyon?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I have.

[Sufi]

Worth it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Absolutely.

[Sufi]

And how many times have you been? It feels like you're the kind of guy who maybe has been multiple times.

[Jim Gaffigan]

I did it once where I hiked it with my then girlfriend and then I did it once from helicopter from Vegas, which was for my son's birthday, where you land and then you have like a glass of champagne in the middle of the Grand Canyon. I mean, I thought it was amazing.

[Sufi]

All right.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Yeah. But I have. I mean, I probably could have gone back many times and I haven't.

[Sufi]

That's all right. It counts. What a delight to talk to you as always.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Oh, thanks so much, you guys.

[Sufi]

November 22nd on Hulu the skinny. It's your 10th. It's your 10th.

[Jim Gaffigan]

It's crazy.

[Sufi]

10 hours. I can't believe it.

[Jim Gaffigan]

10 hours. Just trying to get my dad to like me.

[Sufi]

Just trying.

[Pashi]

Oh, they say 10,000 hours and then you're an expert in sex.

[Sufi]

There you go. Yeah.

[Pashi]

So you're on your way?

[Jim Gaffigan]

I'm on my way.

[Sufi]

All right. I hope I see you soon. Jim. Thank you.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Thanks so much, you guys. Appreciate it.

[Pashi]

Thank you.

[Jim Gaffigan]

Take care.

[Josh]

Jim Gaff again. Went to Europe at 10, went to Scotland with his Irish twin and a man in a thong was giving out some haircuts. Mom was cool, she let him get hot chocolate for breakfast. Great Friars. Bobby in Edinburgh got surprised in Italy by the sparkling water. Jim bought some pills to help him tan. You can call him platinum blonde, but he prefers champagne. Ain't was quite the death set at first we're separate. Got back together Team Gap again. A three week trip. Traveled by plane and also boat. And also drink. Eating a hot dog in Copenhagen. Tivoli Gardens with the whole family. That's not your mom. That's not your dad. They're just blind people in cardigan hand.