Ep 7. My Friend the Priest

Jim Gaffigan has been in the entertainment scene for years, first as a comedian then as a noted actor. As Jim has watched his career grow, he also has a family of five to take care of. That is why he decided to create a show based on his life. The Jim Gaffigan Show was well received since it aired on July 15, 2015. Set in New York, the show follows Jim and his wife Jeannie as they try to balance their personal and professional lives.

In season 1 episode 7, named “My Friend the Priest”, we find Jim meeting a new friend, a priest named Father Nicholas. Jim is a devout Catholic, and in this episode, we get to see a deeper aspect of his faith. Jim is quite fond of Father Nicholas, and they strike a conversation about death, which makes Jim realize how much importance he has given to his career instead of his family.

Jeannie’s brother Ron leaves his cat with Jim’s family, adding to the problems of allergies that Jim's family has. Jim’s youngest daughter, Mary, is so allergic to cats that she starts to get a rash after the arrival of the cat. Jim decides that they cannot have the cat around and tries to find a solution.

Jim wants no surprises for Father Nicholas, who he has invited for dinner, so he decides to call in a professional cleaning crew to take care of the house, Mary’s allergies, and the cat. Jim’s intentions are good, but as Jeannie tells him, he is avoiding conflict.

On the other side, Father Nicholas also has his problems. He is awaiting a transfer to another church, but his application is stuck as they cannot replace him at his current assignment. Everyone seems to think that he is abandoning them, and Father Nicholas is having a hard time dealing with it.

When it finally becomes time to have dinner with Father Nicholas, Jeannie and Jim end up having a fight about what they want to do for their family. Jim seems to be under a lot of pressure and, as a way out, suggests Jeannie that she sells her jewelry. Jeannie is not impressed with the idea and snaps at Jim.

When Father Nicholas arrives, he does not find the house as clean as Jim planned it to be. Later during the dinner, the family hatches a plan to make a life-sized cat that Ron can take with him and leave the actual cat behind. However, things take a hilarious turn when Father Nicholas accidentally spills wine syrup on the cat which creates an eagerness to save the feline from being destroyed.

As the episode ends, Jeannie and Jim make up, and Father Nicholas presents them with a baptismal font that he made all by himself, showcasing his woodworking skills.

The Jim Gaffigan Show's “My Friend the Priest” is an incredibly funny yet heartwarming episode. It not only deals with Jim’s faith but also with the pressures of balancing work and family, which many people can relate to. This episode shows the various problems people face in life, and the cat provides an excellent comedic element that will leave the audience satisfied and entertained.