For many people, just hearing Gilbert Gottfried's strident but whiney voice is the equivalent of torching up a Flammenwerfer 35 flame-thrower and roasting one's own foot.

But, when you get down to it, the comic's whole act is based around being (hysterically) offensive, so maybe the irritating vocal delivery is just part of the fun. Speaking of which, Gottfried's account of how he auditioned for the voice-over gig as the Aflac duck - it came down to him and Liam Neeson for the part; the loser would instead do "Schindler's List" - is representative and tremendous.

Of course, Gottfried was fired from the duck gig after making controversial tweets about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Gottfried is also famous and, in some circles, loathed for making what was probably the first public 9/11 joke. In retrospect, it probably was too early. In terms of pure construction, though, the joke was monstrously funny.

That's what it all comes down to with Gottfried, who appears Friday at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret. Some folks find that offensive humor releases stress and tension; others find it inappropriate. If you're one of the former, the Gottfried appearance will be spectacular.

- RICK KOSTER

Gilbert Gottfried, 9 p.m. Saturday, Mohegan Sun Cabaret; $29.50; 1-888-664-3426.