Controversial comedian T.J. Miller brings his act to the Spokane Comedy Club

T.J. Miller is coming to the Spokane Comedy Club next weekend.

Miller is an internationally recognized stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster, casual philosopher, absurdist and self-proclaimed Nietzschean nihilist. Viewers will recognize Miller from his roles in the “Deadpool” franchise and HBO’s “Silicon Valley.” He’s also lent his voice to animated features such as “Big Hero 6” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Miller’s comedy revolves around the absurdity of everyday happenings and the strange situations in which he finds himself. His delivery is controlled but slightly unhinged.

Miller’s improvisational work on Sky Atlantic’s “SET LIST: Standup w/o A Net” is impressive. A lot of his work can ramble on but if you’re along for the ride you will probably enjoy it.

Miller is a polarizing and controversial figure. He recently came under fire when his “Silicon Valley” costar Alice Wetterlund accused him, and other members of the cast indirectly, of bullying her on set. Miller left the show in its fourth season.

“T.J. Miller was a bully and petulant brat,” Wetterlund said in a post on Twitter: “Pretty much everyone who had any power on that (almost all male) set, including the male cast members, enabled him and were complicit in his unprofessionalism.”

Responding to the accusations on the “Jim and Sam Show” podcast, Miller gave his perspective.

“With people that either know my work or know me, you can kind of feel that I am not a bully … I don’t think I have the energy of somebody that’s just like ‘Hey shut up – OK? The men are talking right now,’ ” he said.

Miller said he feels he is being persecuted for his straight white maleness. He also said he felt the controversy stemmed from an inability for some to accept the image he has cultivated over the years. “I have this reputation in Hollywood of being a sort of benevolent, benign … maniac. And I am a maniac,” he said. Continuing he said, “I play a (jerk) on TV, but I’m not a bully in real life … ever.”

A more damning ongoing controversy involves Miller being accused of sexual assault while in college. With the support of his wife, Kate, Miller denies all allegations.

Miller is also under investigation for reporting a bomb threat on an Amtrak train that turned out to be false. Legally unable to comment much on the subject, Miller said almost jokingly, “it’s a misunderstanding that I have with the federal government.”

Taking a more serious tone, Miller continued: “It’s just a very dark time and Kate and I are getting thrown a lot of the darkness that is associated with it.”