With the release of his third CD and a DVD this week, two movies currently in theaters and a daunting army of MySpace fans, it seems there’s no limit to Dane Cook’s comedy empire. But can he withstand 10 stupid questions?
The Muse caught up with Cook the night before the kickoff of his Rough Around the Edges Comedy Tour, which hits Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden this Saturday.
You have a new CD coming out, your first since 2005. Why don’t you just warn me now – which catch phrases can I expect to be hearing for the next two years?
I think a lot of people will be yelling “15 cents.” “Fifteen [f*ing] cents” is something you might be hearing quite a bit. Also, I might be at the forefront of bringing the word “indeed” back.
Why call it the Rough Around the Edges Tour? I’ve always thought you looked sort of cuddly.
Really? Thanks. I think if I was dog I’d be a golden retriever. That’s what I’ve been told by one of my exes.
This tour is on a round stage, so it’s a play on words with “around.” Also, there’s the working the edges of the stage, the double meaning. At its center I wanted it to feel like it was captured in an authentic, nightclub way as opposed to the HBO tour, which was very sleek. This tour is definitely a throwback.
You’re known for being the first comedian to successfully use MySpace to connect with your fans. I was actually on your MySpace today, where I saw this post from a fan: “I don’t want this to be over. . . . I love you my sweet, sweet Cookie.” Another friend’s MySpace picture is a photo of his young child with the Superfinger drawn on its stomach. Does the price of fame disturb you?
No, it definitely doesn’t disturb me. It’s great to have a rapport with my fans where we know it’s all just fun. It’s nice to know that I can be this same person when I go home at night. I’m not playing a character. What you see is what you get. The Superfinger, the routine, it’s all a bit heightened. But we have a blast with it. The price of gas disturbs me.
You’ve said in interviews that you completely avoid alcohol and marijuana. But without pot and PBR, how would 95 percent of your fan base survive?
I think that’s almost a low blow. It sounds like you’re saying my fan base isn’t very intelligent.
I mean, I’m in college. It’s the Dane Cook heartland. I know tons of kids at BU who smoke and drink and are very intelligent.
Okay, I’ll trust you on that. I’m very hands-on with my fans. I definitely have people who partake in all kinds of different substances and behaviors in and around my shows, but everybody’s invited. And what you do in your own home is up to you.
I’ve seen you naked. More specifically, I saw Good Luck Chuck in theaters. Does life feel different now that millions of people have seen your bare [expletive]?
For me it’s like, finally. I was showing it when I was running around my house as a kid, flashing it to people walking around the streets, people riding by on buses. I have a kinship with the Will Ferrells of the world. My [expletive] is something to be gawked at and explored. I look forward to being 90 years old and still putting it out there, although I’m not sure what it will look like at that point. Like Dada art, or a natural wonder.
You recently shot Bachelor No. 2 here in Boston. How did it feel to be back in your hometown?
The first thing was that I got to eat at my favorite places. One of the coolest things about coming back and filming is you know where to get the right meatball sub. But really, it was a fairytale to come back and produce my first film in Boston. This was the first city where I set foot on stage and dreamed the big dream. Not to get corny, but there would be mornings where I woke up and looked at the Boston skyline and felt very accomplished.
It’s rumored that you have been spotted wearing a Yankees hat. Is this true, and if so, do you currently fear for your life?
At one point in my life I did dawn a Yankees hat. It was right after 9/11. I was one of those people who wanted to see the city have a victory in any shape or form. But I am a part of the Red Sox Nation. I was here for their win in 2004 and I was here for 2007. Anyone who wants to step up and go toe to toe with me on that, fine. But I did support them [the Yankees] when I wanted them to have a boost.
So I have to ask . . . I really don’t think my group of friends has any one person whom we can all agree to hate. Does that make me the Karen?
No, you’re not a Karen. If you were a true Karen, you would already be drunk and gossiping about someone else’s dalliances. You are not a “db,” as we like to call it.