Jim Gaffigan's stand-up comedy show Saturday night will be his first in South Dakota, but he's not worried that his humor won't translate from New York, where he lives, to the wide open spaces of the upper plains.

"My comedy is very topic driven. I deal with the edgy topics - like bacon and Hot Pockets and camping," he said wryly.

OK, maybe not edgy topics, but certainly ones that people anywhere can relate to.

"I take a lot of pride in my theater shows. I'm not up there experimenting," he said. "I've made an effort to make it appeal to everyone in the room and all types of audiences."

As an example, he reasons that even a vegetarian who doesn't eat bacon can identify that it has an attractive smell.

"It's one of those things where my comedic point of view is very much of a lazy guy who likes food, really. That can obviously shift a little bit, but knowing your point of view, it helps you write," he said.

Gaffigan's act covers more than just food. Other subjects, including religion, come up as well. But he keeps it in the realm of personal observation and away from edgy or offensive material.

"I'm kind of an eccentric, observational guy. But a lot of people latch on to that I don't curse or that the topics are very universal," he said.

In addition to touring as a comedian, Gaffigan has built a career in acting and writing, too.

On television, he has appeared on "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." He has also had roles on "The Ellen Show," "That '70s Show," "Ed," "Sex and the City," "Third Watch" and the various permutations of "Law & Order."

His film credits include the cult hit "Super Troopers," "13 Going on 30," "Three Kings" and "Igby Goes Down."

He is also co-writing an animated series called "Pale Force," which will air on episodes of Conan O'Brien's show and the Internet.

Gaffigan's new Comedy Central special, "King Baby," was recently released on CD and DVD.

He said the various facets of his career in entertainment shift focus periodically.

"I kind of do them all. There was a time in my career where more people knew me as an actor," he said. "I'm just doing what I'm doing, and I'm not going to control how people know me. If they know me as an actor, that's great."

If you go

Who: Comedian Jim Gaffigan

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18

Where: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center theater

Tickets: $42 and $35. They are available at the civic center box office, The Silverado in Deadwood, by phone at 605-394-4111 or 1-800-GOT-MINE, or online at www.gotmine.com.

Call Eric Lochridge at 394-8321 or e-mail eric.lochridge@rapidcityjournal.com.