Cook on fire in comedy kitchen

Back in the day comedians had to rely on word of mouth to get their name out and to earn respect in the tour circuit. Stars weren't made overnight as comics gained popularity and built up a solid fan base throughout the years.

Nowadays, artists have the Internet at their fingertips and are able to spread information like wildfire about upcoming shows and share material with not only fans, but also their peers, ushering in a whole new era of comedy.

Take for example the phenomenon that is MySpace.

Love it or loathe it, it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

For comedian Dane Cook, it's just another tool the Web has to offer him in order to promote himself and get word out about his comedy.

"It's a cool place to promote and keep in touch with fans," the 33-year-old said. "It's helped my career exponentially."

Not that he needs much help.

The comic, who has been performing stand up for more than 15 years, has gained a cult-like following from college-aged students, adults and teens with his record-selling comedy album, "Retaliation," which debuted at number four on the Billboard Top 200.

Cook has the Billboard Chart framed in his office.

"I never dreamed I would be next to Mariah Carey and No Doubt," he said. "I giggle every time I walk past it."

Success is just starting for the talented actor, who is currently starring in the film, "Waiting," which is about disgruntled employees at a TGIFriday's-like chain restaurant, and on Comedy Central in a special Las Vegas Insomniac tour with comedians Dave Attell, Sean Rouse and Greg Giraldo.

Cook, who was a big fan of Attell's before he signed up for the tour, grew up watching comedy specials on television and listening to the likes of Robin Williams, Richard Pryor and the "first rock 'n' roll comic," Steve Martin.

Cook said the one thing he learned in the business is the importance of boundaries.

"I've spent a lot of time seeing what I can get away with."

He went on to describe how back in the day he would purposely try to be as vulgar and mean as possible at shows in New York City, just to see what he could get away with.

But it was all for naught.

"I would still have old ladies come up to me after the show and pat me on the cheek after I had said all this vulgar stuff," Cook said. "They would be like, 'Oh you're a silly boy - we know you're just playing.'"

Cook believes he can get away with more because his comedy comes from a good place and he is not intentionally mean spirited about anything.

"I have a childish point of view on everything," he said.

While older lady fans are welcomed with open arms, Cook has had several other fans that he wasn't so excited to chat it up with.

"I had a male stalker in L.A.," Cook said. "He just looked creepy, like Icabod Crane or something.

"One night after a show he gave me a gift. When I opened up the bag, he had made out of clay and dried macaroni a model of the universe with the planets and everything. Then in the middle of the model was an action figure with my face on it. I was the center of his universe."

Creepy stalkers aside, Cook wouldn't change anything about his current state of mind. He appreciates everything that has happened so far and has all eyes on the future.

"I hope to continue to kick ass," he said. "And I want to continue to be relevant and do funny stuff."

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