Probably about 80% of my friends and current acquaintances are comedians of some sort, and they are practically unanimous in their love of Louis C.K. and their hatred of Dane Cook. I get it. Louie is a comedian’s comedian, no doubt.

I have to say, though, that I listened to Dane Cook’s first couple of albums before I knew who he was, and that I was contractually obligated as a comedian to hate him, and you know what? I thought they were funny. He’s not a philosopher, like Louie, or a precise wordsmith, like Steven Wright or Jerry Seinfeld or Demetri Martin. He’s more like Bill Cosby: he tells stories with an infectious, childish energy. His material may not be smart, exactly, but his delivery — at least before he became mega-famous — is playful and apparently owes a little to his days as an improvisor. If he’s not the kind of guy I would necessarily be friends with, he’s at least the frattish friend of my sister’s that I’m surprised to find is actually a pretty fun guy to party with once or twice a year.

That being said, that HBO special where he’s on a round stage surrounded by screaming teenagers was awful, and I would like to never see him in a lead role of a movie ever again.

Sincere kudos to both of them for doing this scene, and to Gabe for snarklessly singing its praises.

I don’t know how many productions are going to want to cast a 2-D, 5″ tall guy who lives on a website for their action movie.

“And God, in Your infinite wisdom, please pay special attention to footnote 5 on page 347, specifically the clause regarding interstate commerce….”

If Narnia were a Nashville whore house, she would be the White Witch.

Not to nitpick, but I think he said something like, “If f*&$ing kids weren’t such a bad crime, maybe fewer child molesters would kill kids.” Then he was quick to add — and this is really the killer line in that bit — ”I’m not really sure what to do with that information….”

I think one of the things that makes Louis CK get away with the risky stuff is that he is self-deprecating, intelligent, and neurotic at the same time. There’s a real sense of “I’m trying to figure this out, and I’m not sure I’m doing a good job of it.” (As opposed to, “I’m a lovable idiot! Except now I’m not so lovable because I’m threatening violence to people who are different! If you’re looking for another level, there isn’t one!”)