To Deceive Or Not To Deceive
The dark reality behind Dane Cook’s comedy shows
Drops of perspiration form in the palms of your hands, along with the inability to keep eye contact and the constant need to touch your nose — you’re caught in a lie. Now, the overwhelming regret comes crashing in…or does it?
The simple notion of deception is so widely accepted by the human race that to some, lying has become a part of their everyday lives. It has infiltrated entertainment industries and is plastered across movie screens and scandalous magazine articles. Although it is usually used in more serious settings, one comedian, by the name of Dane Cook, has found a way to light-heartedly portray deception, using humor as his medium.
On stage, Dane Cook becomes a new person by combining his mother’s vibrant and outgoing personality along with his father’s ability to sell a joke. In front of his audience, the comedian has the freedom to become whomever he chooses when sharing his experiences. Although technically Cook doesn’t blatantly lie about his stories, a form of deception remains prevalent throughout his shows.
“I wanted to create a stage persona for myself that allowed me to really speak about anything I want… So I can be a storyteller, I can be jokey, I can be corny, I can be a little vulgar, I can be a lot vulgar.” — Dane Cook
But at what point do comedian’s stories become genuine lies? Can every untrue thing they say fit into the category of deception?
Deception, like the truth, is an abstract and subjective topic to discuss because everyone has differing opinions about what deception really is. Deception is always present in every interaction a human being has. From the encounters we share with each other — to the personal ones we have with ourselves — the human race subconsciously deceives and chooses to deceive particularly in times of distress or when the brain is aware of upcoming consequences.
The American comedian adds his own unique style to his shows through his very exaggerated bodily movements as well as his well-known form of storytelling. These used in combination give Cook the freedom to discuss hard-hitting issues in a humorous manner.
His on-stage personality is very animated and energetic, complementing his circular stage well; his constant movement around the stage lets Cook engage with more audience members. Although his words do comprise the majority of his performance, his actions are the main prop that gets his audience involved and interested in the stories he’s relaying to them. The comedian’s genius plan to draw in his audience members with his muscle-straining gestures is similar to that of a predatory snake caudal luring in its prey.
Storytelling is an ancient art through which morals and traditions were passed down from generation to generation. Cook takes these values and adds a unique contemporary twist by using “Long-form storytelling” as his method of communication of humor. By adding vivid details on top of the animated movements, Cook creates scenarios that the audience can imagine playing out in front of them, then delivers the punchline to seal the deal.
Cook gives a perfect example of his method of storytelling along with his portrayal of deception in his joke “The Key to Love” in his stand-up performance, Vicious Circle.
The joke begins with Cook introducing the audience to Edward and Phyllis, an elderly couple who wanted him to take their picture on their 55th anniversary. Cook was immediately taken by their obvious love for one another, and even proclaimed their relationship as “…something that [he] wanted.” He gets ready to take their picture, and at the last moment before the camera clicks, Cook stated “He snuck the kiss, and she lit up like the fourth of July.” In awe, Cook asks the elderly man how too he might be lucky enough to have a relationship like theirs one day, and Edward replies in a hushed tone “Cheat. You gotta f*cking cheat.”
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” -Oscar Wilde
Now, although poor clueless Phyllis had a scumbag husband who cheated on her, they did seem to have a happy relationship together. In this bit, Cook sheds light on the not-so-pretty reality of many human interactions, including the betrayal of a loved one or even spouse. The comedian uses the seemingly-innocent elderly couple to show that even the most honest of interactions can be deceitful.
Many of Cook’s jokes in Vicious Circle focused on the subjects of lying, cheating, and betrayal.
At one point in the show, the young comedian admits to being cheated on — literally — as well as cheating on someone else before. Both occurrences were described as stressful and troublesome, but besides delivering the punchline, why else would Cook decide to confess to cheating?
“The subconscious mind seems to do more of the work and is aware of information faster than the conscious mind” — Relationship Coach
Cook’s stand-up performance, Vicious Circle, bears resemblance to a downward spiral trend. The jokes presented in Vicious Circle mimic universal subconscious thoughts shared by the audience members as well as Cook himself. Although Cook may not have intended to release his pent up guilt, the heavy-bearing subjects discussed in Vicious Circle were things Cook said to have done before, therefore might even feel regretful of.
In a 2011 interview with Movieline, Cook admitted to having a very difficult time when both of his parents passed away stating his “professional dreams were coming true while [he] was living a personal nightmare.” Cook also revealed that he believes “being a comedian is very close to being a therapist,” and that humor can be a form of therapy for the burdened.
According to Psychiatrist George Eman Vaillant, the use of humor is categorized as a level IV defense mechanism in which humor facilitates communication of otherwise serious or distressing events. Cook, along with many other comedians such as Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, and Dave Chappelle, share laughable experiences with the audience that would otherwise be unapproachable and possibly uncomfortable topics to discuss during a regular conversation.
The vicious circle in which Cook performs is much more than a title or a stage; the show is a huge metaphor shining light on the reality behind deceit.
Imagine: in the middle of his stage lay the truth, and the further away from the center Cook strays, the closer he gets to deception. He travels around and around the platform, but he can’t escape the reoccurring and inevitable interaction with betrayal and lies. Lying, cheating, and falseness will always come around full circle, and naturally we must deal with the consequences of our personal flaws.
