But then that small, pretty good party became, like, a rave where no one could hear what guests Patton Oswalt and Louis C.K. had to say. While Cook helped lead a resurgence in the appetite for stand-up, he simultaneously overshadowed other equally funny comics, ones without rock-star trappings. So when a comedy fan says "Cook isn't funny," I think it partially springs from the frustration over the absurd fact that millions have heard of Cook but have no clue about that fan's favorite comics. I personally think it's insane that certain bits by DJ Hazard, Ryan Hamilton, Kelly McFarland, Chris Fleming, and Rob Potylo, who are stunningly talented, are not part of the canon of Western literature. But I don't take it out on Cook.
Instead of negativity — instead of saying "Dane Cook is not funny" — I would much rather hear, "[Comic you've never heard of] is fantastic." Our city is one of only a handful in the world that has at least 150 five-minute sets worth watching. Find one.
Meanwhile, Cook's party will likely continue its progression to a more mature get-together. Or maybe it won't. All I know is that, at this juncture, it's wrong to say, "Dane Cook is not funny." Because he is.
Now, as for this Larry the Cable Guy . . .
Steve Macone is a Somerville-based comedian and writer. He can be told inarticulately that Dane Cook is not funny at stevemacone@gmail.com.
