Be forewarned, Ari Shaffir isn't for everybody — specifically dorks — but oddly enough could offer the rare middle ground between the anti-PC audience and woke individuals.

Be forewarned, Ari Shaffir isn't for everybody — specifically dorks — but oddly enough could offer the rare middle ground between the anti-PC audience and woke individuals. Or not. Who knows, considering the only time the New York City funnyman had a filter in his life was when he was smoking, which he gave up more than two years ago. Perhaps that explains his crankiness. Within the first 90 seconds of a recent call to discuss Shaffir's upcoming return Jan. 14 to 16 at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, the acerbic comic insulted Cleveland Italians and obese folks. "I'd say Cleveland has too many Italians," said Shaffir, calling from the Big Apple. "I don't know, it's like an infestation there. You don't picture it as an Italian city but it really is. They're all trying to show they're from one of the real Italian cities so they compensate with gold chains. "We're not talking Chef Boyardee. We're talking Soprano's wannabes. It's like they're trying to prove they're Italian. It's strange. They are like (Andrew 'Dice' Clay), and they're (expletive) fakers. Italians are the worst of the whites, I've said it for years." Well, um, it sounds like Shaffir puts on a truly all-inclusive show. "I mean, you're welcome to come out and show that you're not a problem," Shaffir said. "Just be respectful, laugh, enjoy yourself, threaten no one and drink a normal drink." Known for his unique storytelling, Shaffir has made the podcast rounds appearing on "The Joe Rogan Experience," "WTF" with Marc Maron, "The Adam Carolla Show" and "Your Mom's House." In addition to his own podcast, Ari Shaffir's "Skeptic Tank," the comic's last project was 2017's Netflix special "Double Negative." He's currently working on not one but two specials expected to be released in the next year or so. "I've been doing this thing lately where I'm telling people — because of the omicron thing, which I don't care about any of it — if they have a previous condition or comorbidities to stay away," Shaffir said. "Like, yeah, fat chicks can't come to my show, just out of safety. Or fat dudes, please stay home for your own good." In case you can't tell, Shaffir's brand of comedy may not be for everyone. In fact, a rare disclaimer appears on the Hilarities website regarding his comedic stylings: "The deal is, this is a dirty show. It's not all offensive but definitely some parts are offensive. So don't bring that one friend in your friend group who makes that 'tsk' noise a lot. "Just tell them you're doing something else or your grandmother died or your grandmother killed somebody and you gotta be a character witness. Whatever. Just don't bring them." As far as the aforementioned all-inclusive comment, yeah, that was facetious. In fact, Shaffir added his own list of audience members who probably want to skip the show. "If you're too Christian, don't come," Shaffir said. "If you're too clean of a person, don't come. Definitely come if you're a degenerate, into drugs and normally wake up going, 'Damn, I shouldn't have done that.' "This is for cool people but, also, we will probably have one person per show walk out angry. So be ready. That'll be enjoyable for the rest of us to spot the dorks." Contact John Benson at ndiffrence@att.net. WHO: Ari ShaffirWHEN: Jan. 14 to16 (times vary)WHERE: Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, 2035 E 4th St. ClevelandTICKETS: $35 (requiring purchase of two, four or six-ticket blocks) INFO: (216) 736-4242 or pickwickandfrolic.com