Has any thinking human lived through the last six years and emerged feeling buoyant and peppy and, to quote Andy Partridge, "burning with optimism's flames"?

No.

This applies to Jim Gaffigan, one of the funniest comics on the planet, a man whose art is based around gentle, observational and frequently self-effacing jokes. Indeed, Gaffigan's latest Netflix special, released just before last Christmas and titled "Comedy Monster," reveals a darker side. Oh, we're not talking about a vicious transformation that suddenly turned Gaffigan into Bill Burr or Jimmy Carr — but definitely a fellow who has added a degree of brooding reflection to his act.

Gaffigan kicks off his "Fun" tour, featuring all new material, with two performances Friday evening and a 6 p.m. show Saturday in the Premier Theater at Foxwoods. Let's see if he continues to offer a grimmer-but-still-Gaffiganian worldview.

Jim Gaffigan, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, Premier Theater, Foxwoods; $49-$129; www.foxwoods.com.