With 11 stand-up specials under his belt, Jim Gaffigan is one of the most prolific comedians this side of George Carlin.

His family-friendly jokes about parenting and food made Gaffigan a household name — try strolling down the frozen aisle without thinking of that high-pitched whisper: “ Hot Pockeeettt .” He has anchored TV series, written books and held serious acting roles in films like “Chappaquiddick” and “Linoleum.” And he reinvented himself in the extended role of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on “Saturday Night Live.”

On Sunday, Variety presented Gaffigan with the inaugural Comedy Vanguard Award in association with the New York Comedy Festival . Gaffigan accepted the honor at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Downtown Manhattan and sat down for a wide-ranging inter

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