Are there different shades of "dark" — as in humor?

Probably. There are comedians whose tone is playful and apologetic, but the subject matter can be fairly rude. Others might be more offensive but spout their empathetic liberalism on social media or in interviews as a way to draw an indelible line between who they are privately and how they come across onstage.

Then there's Anthony Jeselnik. Film star-handsome, Jeselnik is like an irritatingly smart frat bully whose almost sleepy delivery further compounds the cruelty of his punchlines. That's what you see onstage. But the actual material? Vicious and smarmily brilliant. Jeselnik builds his jokes with unorthodox structures that double-cross and spin one way when you're anticipating another. Ultimately, they amaze with their cleverness and — yes — the darkest-of-the-dark subject matter.

I like to imagine Jeselnik deep in thought offstage, in a blood-red room lit by black candles, trying to conceive of the most tasteless possible jokes that mean the crowd will either convulse with laughter or recoil in horror. Either reaction is pleasing.

Out on his "Fun and Games World Tour," Jeselnik stops Saturday at Foxwoods for a set in the Fox Theater. Expect darkness.

Anthony Jeselnik, 8 p.m. Saturday, Fox Theater, Foxwoods; $35; 1-800-200-2882.