Dane Cook: Creative Mastermind or Money-driven Hack?
I discovered Dane Cook in eleventh grade, when my buddy would play Dane's first album, Harmful if Swallowed, every day on the ride to school. I admit it, I liked him. I really liked him. This guy put me on the floor laughing. Every quirky anecdote was something I relate to (or imagine relating to). My friends and I would recite bits of his material at any social occasion. We'd get together to either watch his latest DVDs or listen to his latest CDs.
And do you know what the best part was? Everybody was doing the same thing. We were living in a blissful, Dane-ruled world. Or so I thought...
Turns out not everyone is as big an addict as I thought. Along with the popularity, Dane has stirred up feelings of hatred in many people. What are some of the complaints? He's too loud. He's unoriginal. He's a dick. True, he may be loud and a dick, but unoriginal? That stirred up some feelings of my own. After a little bit of research (thanks to the impetus of a Digg posting) I began to make a startling discovery.
Many of Dane Cook's bits are strikingly similar to bits originally invented by comic Louis C.K., who is actually from the same hometown. (I am specifically referring to the getting hit by a car bit, the naming your kids bit, and the itchy asshole bit for all of you Daneheads out there.) If you don't know what I am talking about, this video can clear up some of the confusion. Honestly, after comparing the two comics, they definitely could be copies of each other. The important fact is that Louis did his FIRST. Louis is aware of this, and you can hear some of his insight in this radio interview. He sounds a little bitter.
A strong point he did make was that any "superstar" such as Dane is going to develop a strong fan base, as well as a group of haters. Whether they are jealous or truly just don't find Dane that funny, they are going to voice their opinion as loud as possible to go against the crowd. In my opinion, I say laugh and let laugh. (Here's a skit making fun of Dane. It's actually pretty funny and kinda makes you realize that he can turn anything into a joke. It's all about the delivery).
And do you know what the best part was? Everybody was doing the same thing. We were living in a blissful, Dane-ruled world. Or so I thought...
Turns out not everyone is as big an addict as I thought. Along with the popularity, Dane has stirred up feelings of hatred in many people. What are some of the complaints? He's too loud. He's unoriginal. He's a dick. True, he may be loud and a dick, but unoriginal? That stirred up some feelings of my own. After a little bit of research (thanks to the impetus of a Digg posting) I began to make a startling discovery.
Many of Dane Cook's bits are strikingly similar to bits originally invented by comic Louis C.K., who is actually from the same hometown. (I am specifically referring to the getting hit by a car bit, the naming your kids bit, and the itchy asshole bit for all of you Daneheads out there.) If you don't know what I am talking about, this video can clear up some of the confusion. Honestly, after comparing the two comics, they definitely could be copies of each other. The important fact is that Louis did his FIRST. Louis is aware of this, and you can hear some of his insight in this radio interview. He sounds a little bitter.
A strong point he did make was that any "superstar" such as Dane is going to develop a strong fan base, as well as a group of haters. Whether they are jealous or truly just don't find Dane that funny, they are going to voice their opinion as loud as possible to go against the crowd. In my opinion, I say laugh and let laugh. (Here's a skit making fun of Dane. It's actually pretty funny and kinda makes you realize that he can turn anything into a joke. It's all about the delivery).
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I had some interesting feelings towards him as well. I also did enjoy him when he first started, but now I think he is a sell out and is only after the money. Once he starred in a movie and an HBO series, I knew that he was a sell out; especially when his material was the same for over 3 years. Dane cook is a sell out
Unfortunately, I agree that Dane Cook is a sell out. I love his stand up but hate his movies. I thought "employee of the month" was going to be a funny movie, but it was terrible. Maybe Dane Cook should make movies that are rated R so he can swear and make vulgar expressions instead of those stupid romantic comedies with dumbass actresses (I think Jessica Alba is super hot, but one of the worst actresses in the biz, but that's another rant). Now on the thief comment, I'm not sure about. I watched the video comparing Louis C.K., and although a lot of the jokes were similar, but Dane Cook puts his own spin on the jokes that makes them unique. I think Dane should stick with stand-up and leave that romantic comedies for Matthew McConaughey.