Author Topic: Slate researches why Dane Cook is funny... or not (Read 6604 times)

The Fake Shemp · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 07:28:47 PM »

You can read the whole thing right here, but here's the summary:

Quote from: Slate

Cook's jokes often begin with "this is what everybody does when …"; he's a generalizer rather than an advocate of a particular (or particularly crude) worldview.

...

What explains Cook's rise? Partly it's his relentless salesmanship.

...

Cook is legendary for being a mensch: signing endless autographs at shows and returning his fans' e-mail. Other comedians "went out and partied when the show was over; I went home and updated my Web site and e-mailed people," Cook boasted to the New York Times last year. "A lot of people thought I was wasting a lot of time and energy, but I saw results immediately."

There's an inherent problem with Cook's act, however: There's doesn't seem to be anything at stake.

...

As someone who styles himself as a voice of a generation (he likes to speak in the first-person plural), there's little sense that Cook sees himself operating in opposition to anything or anyone. (He hates topical humor and doesn't mention current events.)

...

Cook is an undangerous comedian posing as a dangerous one.

...

Sadly, Cook's act bulges only with self-satisfaction. The secret of Dane Cook's outsized success is that he's not really a niche comedian at all. He's a comedian your mother could love.

The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:31:35 PM »

Quote

Cook is an undangerous comedian posing as a dangerous one.

Truer words have never been spoken. Still, I don't mind his act from time to time.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:34:30 PM »

My friends and I was flipping through channels on Saturday night and we came across the SNL episode that he hosted. We came to the conclusion that he was funnier when we muted the TV. He was jumping around like a monkey.

I liked his Comedy Central standup though.

morphix · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:34:59 PM »

I thought he was funny because my last GF did, now he kinda annoys me. More and more by the day it seems...

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:36:25 PM »

Quote from: morphix on October 17, 2006, 07:34:59 PM

I thought he was funny because my last GF did, now he kinda annoys me. More and more by the day it seems...

You're giving into online peer-pressure.

The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:37:48 PM »

Yeah, morphix is a total pussy.

Pussy.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:41:27 PM »

I like his CD prior to Retaliation (which I didn't think was very funny), mainly because his current act is just kind of sequels to jokes he's already done. He's got three bits I think are LOL-tastic, but his act is wearing thin now.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:49:34 PM »

He's so hot though. I want to be in the middle of a Dane Cook/CliffyB sandwich

morphix · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:50:03 PM »

OK he is funny!

Mupepe · « **Reply #9 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:51:18 PM »

he's so hit and miss. Some things I find absolutely hilarious from him. His Monopoly bit had me rolling. But then some of his stuff just makes me want to punch anyone who claims him to be the funniest man alive.

The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment · « **Reply #10 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:54:15 PM »

C'mon, I dare one of you jaded posters to watch Vicious Circle and not laugh at at least one of his bits...

:/

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:55:17 PM »

Quote from: The Dark Shake on October 17, 2006, 07:54:15 PM

C'mon, I dare one of you jaded posters to watch Vicious Circle and not laugh at at least one of his bits...

:/

There's no denying he's funny. I think people are just upset that Cook is popular

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:56:33 PM »

I really haven't listened to him that much. I actually d/led Retaliation, but I've never listened to all of it. Maybe that's why I still like him. I'm really only going by that one Comedy Central special, which is great.

The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment · « **Reply #13 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:57:17 PM »

Though in reality, I wouldn't say I'm much of a comedian -- but I'm a helluva lot funnier than he is nine times out of ten. Still, I don't get the HATE a certain few have for him. Whatever.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2006, 07:58:59 PM »

His Comedy Central act is just a watered down version of his Harmful if Swallowed CD (the uncut Comedy Central act is actually on the 2-Disc CD). And that CD is funny, for the most part. Retaliation is just a bunch of follow up jokes and sequels and crap - it's not really funny. I really haven't heard anything funny from Dane Cook in like, three to four years.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #15 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:03:39 PM »

I have yet to LOL at Dane Cook.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:04:24 PM »

I'll send you a copy of Harmful if Swallowed, and if you don't laugh once - I want your Celeron frankenrig!

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #17 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:10:01 PM »

You got it.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #18 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:16:39 PM »

However, if I *don't* laugh, you hafta spam Dark Shake's PM box with pictures of your jewschlong.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #19 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:20:30 PM »

DEAL.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:21:25 PM »

Quote from: Drinky Crow on October 17, 2006, 08:16:39 PM

However, if I *don't* laugh, you hafta spam Dark Shake's PM box with pictures of your jewschlong.

With as many bagels on it as can possibly fit

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:21:37 PM »

alright, TVC is gonna set up an iChat session once I get the CD so we can confirm the lack of lol!

Note that laughter due to TVC or MAF antics while I do this DOES NOT COUNT.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:25:51 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on October 17, 2006, 08:21:25 PM

With as many bagels on it as can possibly fit

We're going to run out of bagels.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:28:23 PM »

Quote from: Willco on October 17, 2006, 08:25:51 PM

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on October 17, 2006, 08:21:25 PM
With as many bagels on it as can possibly fit

We're going to run out of bagels.

Yeah, I like the bite size ones too

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #24 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:30:55 PM »

The bite sized ones are still like half an inch, and if were to continue my schtick of running out, we're talking about 25 or so in a box. I'll take a foot long dick as an insult.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #25 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:32:15 PM »

Dark Shake's gonna know the truth, so get the jokes in while ye may!

Saint Cornelius · « **Reply #26 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:43:08 PM »

I like Louis CK, Patton Oswalt, Mitch Hedberg, Sam Kinison (don't front, that fucker was fucking FUNNY and he shot like three gallons worth of jizz onto Jessica Hahn - in like one session, that's fucking impressive) that sorta thing. Everyone I've just mentioned - and more, even, have made me almost pee myself with laughter, at times.

Dane Cook isn't even remotely funny. Even Dice was kinda funny, a little bit. Dane just not inspire me to piss, other than having to drain all the beer I drink hoping he'll get funnier - and he never, ever does.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #27 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:49:14 PM »

I don't get the Mitch Hedberg love.

Vizzys · « **Reply #28 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:52:59 PM »

Quote from: Willco on October 17, 2006, 09:49:14 PM

I don't get the Mitch Hedberg love.

he's dead

Mupepe · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:54:08 PM »

Quote from: Willco on October 17, 2006, 09:49:14 PM

I don't get the Mitch Hedberg love.

That is one guy I found absolutely annoying and unfunny. Every once in a while (like once every 45 minutes in his show) he'd crack a good joke. But most of the time it was crap. GAF worships him now that he's dead.

Saint Cornelius · « **Reply #30 on:** October 17, 2006, 09:57:05 PM »

Okay well I smoke the lah and "Strategic Grill Locations" is a stoner fuckin' classic, as much as any Cheech & Chong record is. But he also did a lot of speedy type drugs and sometimes his delivery gets hurt because of the way his mind is racing.

:btw I liked that dude WAY before GAffers rode his dead dick, I find that an offensive observation

Mupepe · « **Reply #31 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:02:21 PM »

Quote from: Saint Cornelius on October 17, 2006, 09:57:05 PM

Okay well I smoke the lah and "Strategic Grill Locations" is a stoner fuckin' classic, as much as any Cheech & Chong record is. But he also did a lot of speedy type drugs and sometimes his delivery gets hurt because of the way his mind is racing.

:btw I liked that dude WAY before GAffers rode his dead dick, I find that an offensive observation

It wasn't a jab at your if you generally liked him. To each his own. I just don't like him.

And my observation was directed towards the mob mentality at GAF that in a thread about someone dying, said person was always awesome. And if you say otherwise from then on, you're a heartless bastard.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #32 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:03:17 PM »

Quote from: Viz on October 17, 2006, 09:52:59 PM

Quote from: Willco on October 17, 2006, 09:49:14 PM
I don't get the Mitch Hedberg love.

he's dead

God obviously didn't think he was funny.

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #33 on:** October 17, 2006, 10:07:23 PM »

if i could pee on the corpse of owen hart i would

Mandark · « **Reply #34 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:17:11 PM »

Dane Cook's best bit is the guy-hit-by-car thing that he stole from Louis CK. Most of his act is yelling, and unusual word/emphasis choices. He's not any worse than your average nameless comic on, say, BET, but you don't get told that those guys are the Greatest Comic Alive.

For what it's worth, he's better than Carlos Mencia.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #35 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:18:27 PM »

Yeah, when Hedberg died, the forum masses were like, "HE WAS A COMIC GENIUS, LIKE PRYOR. HE WAS THE BEST COMEDIAN OF ALL-TIME, HE WAS SO AHEAD OF HIS TIME, MAN - YOU JUST DON'T KNOW!"

Mandark · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:54:29 PM »

Hedberg was easily GAF's favorite comedian before he died. Check it.

Liking Cook and not liking Hedberg puts you in the Tre Zone of Suspicious Comedic Tastes, Willco. You're on notice!

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #37 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:02:01 AM »

Quote from: Willco

I can't stand Mitch Hedberg or Stephen Lynch. There are the most obnoxious, annoying people on the face of the planet. I don't know how anyone could like them or even more, pay money to see them. I could save you money by smashing your face in with a hammer.

Now Dane Cook. He is one funny mother****er.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #38 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:15:44 AM »

Damn straight!

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #39 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:21:03 AM »

I'd say I'm not that passionate about Hedberg. I just don't get the love, nor do I think he's funny. Now, Stephen Lynch, I really hate him. A lot. I'd probably pitch in money if we started a pool to assasinate him.

Mandark · « **Reply #40 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:31:50 AM »

I had to Youtube him to find out who you were talking about. Oy.

I heard Lynch when a friend of mine said popped the CD into the car's player. "Oh man, you have to hear this. This guy has the funniest songs!" Then I sat through the dirty professor song, or whatever it's called, and waited for the funny, through the entire thing.

My non-verbal cues were enough to get a new CD in there.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #41 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:52:12 AM »

There was a time when Stephen Lynch was supposed to be the next big thing, but I think Dane Cook filled up the attractive, white comedian with safe college act void. He still has a somewhat loyal fanbase, but I think his act blows and the fact that he plays an instrument doesn't make it any more humorous.

I used to really like Cook circa Harmful if Swallowed (I think that was back in '03 or '04), but every year that passes, I lean more and more to the spectrum that finds him unfunny. It's not online peer pressure or anything (fuck you all), but the fact that every thing he does now seems to be an extension of the car accident, Monopoly or Burger King bit. There's no originality. He's becoming a caricature. and one that whores himself very heavily. He also used to be a lot edgier in terms of sexual humor, but he's developed such a huge female fan base due to his looks, that I think he's toned that down as well. Any charm he once had is gradually fading, in my opinion.

Bacon · « **Reply #42 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:56:50 AM »

Lynch is on Broadway...

Saint Cornelius · « **Reply #43 on:** October 18, 2006, 12:57:19 AM »

I dunno, not liking Hedberg but liking Cook seems kinda... trying to hard? I don't know. It's one of the many, subtle reasons why I don't like you, Willco, but hey. Life am like that sometimes, we can't all suck each other's dicks, lest we become Diablos.

And is it just me, or do Mandork's always come off as he's laughing to himself as he types it? Like this is the funniest shit you're going to see on the intarwebs today so just stop trying? Just me? Okee.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #44 on:** October 18, 2006, 01:00:55 AM »

Quote from: Bacon on October 18, 2006, 12:56:50 AM

Lynch is on Broadway...

Hooray? A lot of people are on Broadway. Lynch is not a household name, but Cook definitely is now.

Quote from: Saint Cornelius

I dunno, not liking Hedberg but liking Cook seems kinda... trying to hard?

Huh? Wouldn't that be the opposite. Cook is pretty straightforward. Too even try and enjoy Hedberg, you have to understand where he's coming from, be into his whole schtick and then try and decipher whether or not the punchline is funny because it's funny or if it's dry delivery.

Saint Cornelius · « **Reply #45 on:** October 18, 2006, 01:03:37 AM »

That's why I said "I dunno" a few times, maybe I'm not expressing myself correctly. But I still don't really like you, and if someone were to press for why, I could shake my head and say "ahhh, quite simply, he prefers Cook over Hedberg" and that would be that.

Bacon · « **Reply #46 on:** October 18, 2006, 01:05:02 AM »

I'm wasn't saying he's famous, but his current "act" is doing some shitty show about a Sandler movie.

I think they're both shitheads.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #47 on:** October 18, 2006, 01:07:41 AM »

Quote from: Saint Cornelius on October 18, 2006, 01:03:37 AM

That's why I said "I dunno" a few times, maybe I'm not expressing myself correctly. But I still don't really like you, and if someone were to press for why, I could shake my head and say "ahhh, quite simply, he prefers Cook over Hedberg" and that would be that.

I think you secretly like me.

Quote from: Bacon

I'm wasn't saying he's famous, but his current "act" is doing some shitty show about a Sandler movie.

I think they're both shitheads.

Fair enough!

The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment · « **Reply #48 on:** October 18, 2006, 07:54:57 AM »

Quote from: Drinky Crow on October 17, 2006, 08:32:15 PM

Dark Shake's gonna know the truth, so get the jokes in while ye may!

News:

Author Topic: Slate researches why Dane Cook is funny... or not (Read 6604 times)