On last night’s episode of Louie—which I generally love, but still get kind of pissed about when it’s too “contemplative” (IS IT GOING TO KILL HIM TO BE FUNNY? HE’S LOUIS C.K., GODDAMMIT!!!)—one of the great mysteries of the comedian world is sorta, kinda, not really solved once and for all. For those just joining us, comedian Dane Cook was a super-duper comedian superstar in the mid-aughts (primarily with college douchebags… but a paycheck is a paycheck, right?). HOWEVER! He was also a pariah within the comedian community for allegedly stealing three of Louis CK’s jokes (as well as some from Joe Rogan??? Who would steal anything from Joe Rogan???). While Cook kind of addressed the charges on Marc Maron’s podcast, he’s never really faced his accusers… UNTIL THIS EPISODE OF LOUIE. Check out this very interesting/awkward/redemptive/funny discussion between Louie and Dane in which everyone involved is humiliated in one way or another. I gotta admit, I came out of it with a better appreciation for Cook, who I previously despised because… well, everybody else despised him. Not proud of that! HEY, I’M HUMAN, OKAY??? Let’s sit down and talk about it.
Bang bang, choo-choo train, let me see you shake that thang. Wm. Steven Humphrey is the editor-in-chief of the Portland Mercury and has held the job since 2000. (So don’t get any funny ideas.) More by Wm. Steven Humphrey
An incredible scene. Sympathizing with Cook? Listen to the WTF episode with Steve Byrne. He tells an amazing, hilarious and highly plausible story at the end of the interview about being at Dane Cook’s house.
Who would steal anything from Joe Rogan?? You should re-evaluate that opinion, as well. I agree with the fact that you are human, but as editor and commentator in the media it seems like you should base your opinions on “something”. Or go work as Fox news…
None of them are funny (Louis CK, quit recycling material for f’s sake!) so I think they should build a flimsy raft and all head out to sea together.