The host of Comedy Central’s aughts fave Insomniac with Dave Attell originally explored America’s late-night underbelly. Today, deceptively dark material and an empathetic outlook have become hallmarks for the 59-year-old comic.

Attell, whose latest special Hot Cross Buns hit Netflix in March, returns to Wiseguys’ Town Square location this week and has some surprises planned Downtown through the weekend.

You’ve been sober for how many years now? What does a sober fella like you do on late nights in Las Vegas these days?

It’s all a blur, but I have been, a long time. That’s a good question. But the beauty of Vegas is you’re always a block away from a T-shirt shop. You know me—I like a good saucy T-shirt. And I really like Vegas because we’re on the same timeframe. You can get breakfast at two in the morning. Even though I don’t party, it’s perfect for me. And the Sphere is right there as well. I think Wiseguys is supposed to be my audition for the Sphere. It’s my jump-off.

Have you made it to Sphere yet?

I haven’t been there, but I’ve been to the BattleBots arena, which is a couple blocks away. It looks bigger in person than it did on TV.

Your Wiseguys dates fall at the beginning of the Skankfest: Vegas Attacks comedy festival. Is there a chance you might be popping up there as well?

Yes, I will be there. This is the third year in Vegas, and I think Vegas and Skankfest, they are a perfect fit. It’s a great town for the super fans to fly into. The guys from the Legion of Skanks podcast always have been cool to me and I love what they’ve done, how they built this following that really appreciates live stand-up. So I’m not exactly sure what shows I’m doing, but I will be there.

Last month we spoke with your former tourmate Lewis Black about his imminent retirement from the road. Is that something you could ever conceive of announcing one day?

Lewis of course is the road warrior. Nobody toured harder than him, and the guy is class all the way. He’s always been a role model for the rest of us.

I’ll be doing it 37 years now, and I’m hoping to make it to 40. But that really all depends on my bills. So if you see me after that, then I got to pay these bills. But I do enjoy it. The only thing I don’t like is the travel, and it’s a little harder when you’re older. But the shows are still really what keeps you going.

I know comedy [in Vegas] is kind of lower down, somewhere between magic and, of course, massage, but I’m working on new stuff all the time. So that’s probably what you’ll see this weekend. I’m hoping we get down to the low 90s. I’m bringing a jacket. And two hats. And of course with Skankfest, it’s always good to have an emergency durag on you.

DAVE ATTELL September 26, 7 p.m. (& September 27, 7 & 9:30 p.m.), $25. Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguyscomedy.com.

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