Crazed stand-up comedian Dane Cook needed only time, patience, and lots of late nights spent e-mailing strangers to cultivate a small but loyal fan base into mainstream success. Frustrated devotees – mostly college kids and comedy clubbers – had been singing his praises for years, to no avail. But this “hottest comic no one has heard of,” ended up cold-cocking the comedy world with his rock ‘n’ roll persona and hilarious observational bits on everyday life and pop cultural touchstones. His stand-up tours sold out within hours – even legendary venues like Carnegie Hall and Madison Square
Every now and then, those of us who write about the entertainment industry like to declare someone "the next big thing." It's very exciting, because it's almost like we're peering into the future and announcing that THIS person or