While Gaffigan does release the vulnerability valve, he never resorts to melodrama, opting instead to use his trademark self-deprecating jokes to both suture his emotional wounds.

Noble Ape shows how Gaffigan's onstage persona can weather all storms and come out still getting the same laughs.

Gaffigan's a regular guy holding up a mirror to our everyday world, and turning those reflections into laughs and bigger laughs - and sometimes best of all, smiles of recognition.

Noble Ape feels, and I don't mean this as a reference to Gaffigan's food material, like a full meal. Or at least, several different small, meatier courses.