I cannot comprehend the thought process of some people…

So I wander over to msnbc.com because I put in my resignation notice today and, therefore, feel less affected by any interwebz constraints placed on the rest of the employees in my office.

What do my eyes gaze upon whilst there? The following headline:

Standup comedy didn’t die with Carlin
Dane Cook, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart are heirs to comic’s throne

You see that first name listed there? Dane Cook? Dane, mother f’ing, no talent hack, Cook?!

Now, at first glance, you might think this the jackholed opinion of an idiot “cyber-reporter” who knows nothing about comedy in general, comedians in particular, or anything much worth knowing. Then, as you read the article, you realize that the inclusion of Cook’s name with that of Chris Rock, John Stewart and George Carlin was not made by the reporter.

Today, the routes to stardom are myriad and less predictable, but they’re still clogged with comedians, many of whom are Carlinesque in their provocative approaches and observational wit.

“There are lots of comics who do political and edgy material,” said Jamie Masada, owner of the famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood. “For George, when he started, his comedy had such shock value, and nobody was doing that. Now you don’t get as much mileage. There are 20, 30, 40 comics doing the same thing now.
…
Masada has seen countless comics come through The Laugh Factory’s doors, and mentioned envelope-pushers such as Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams and Tiffany Haddish as among his current favorites. Yet the performer he cites first as an example of the excellent health of standup comedy in a post-Carlin world is Dane Cook, a popular but polarizing presence on the standup scene.

“Why does Dane Cook have 2.5 million, 3 million fans on MySpace? Why does he sell out two shows at Madison Square Garden, and tickets go for $7,500 on eBay?” Masada asked.

“(Cook has) found a wonderful way to communicate with young people,” Masada said. “He talks about subjects that young people want to talk about. He’s one of a kind. Dane was ahead of his time. He worked hard and he got it going.

“Madison Square Garden? George Carlin couldn’t sell that out.”

But Carlin’s popularity was unique. He was loved by the masses, but he was especially appreciated by the comedy cognoscenti.

I mean, comparing Dane Cook to George Carlin is like…it’s like…

I can’t come up with any other analogy so far off base other then to say “comparing Dane Cook to George Carlin is like comparing Dane Cook to George Carlin.”

And to come from someone who is supposed to “know” comedy is just ridiculous.

Look, I don’t care if Carlin never sold out Madison Square Garden. Success is not, and should not, be the sole benchmark by which greatness is measured. Look, the best selling album of 1999 was from a boy band, and I don’t think anyone is ever going to proclaim them on par with the Beatles…I’m just saying.

And I’m not going to go into a long winded thing about why Dane Cook is no George Carlin. See this page here for a general “Dane Cook isn’t funny” discussion that makes all the salient points.

In any event, see that last line I quoted (one written by the reporter, I’ll note); “He was loved by the masses, but he was especially appreciated by the comedy cognoscenti.” Very few comedians (hell, people in general) garner the respect from their peers and colleagues the way that Carlin did. In fact, I believe that will be one of Carlin’s more enduring legacies; that he was a “comedians comic.”

Do you think Dane Cook will ever be considered a “comedians comedian?”

I thought not.

Anyway, I don’t want to leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth so…please accept this gift of a link to an interview with David X. Cohen (he of Futurama goodness).

65daysofstatic – 23kid