60 Seconds With . . . Dane Cook

If you watched the World Series or walked by a multiplex this year, chances are you saw plenty of comedian Dane Cook. After appearing in such films as “Dan in Real Life” and “Mr. Brooks,” he’s back in his element with a new CD and a national tour, including a stop at the Honda Center on Sunday. But seriously, when does this guy sleep?

It’s incredible. I feel like it’s been forever. I was definitely continuing to do a lot of stand-up while here in L.A. or even on location, but to be night to night doing shows of this caliber -- I mean, I’ve never done an arena tour before. To get out there and perform in front of 10,000, sometimes 20,000, people has been a real rush.

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HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING BACK ON THE ROAD?

YOU’VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF ACTING WORK LATELY. HOW DOES THAT COMPARE WITH STAND-UP?

It works a different muscle. Stand-up is definitely a solo venture, whereas I love becoming part of a collaborative effort with an ensemble. I love that approach, getting away from the world of pantomime and dealing with things that are actually around you.

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DO YOU THINK THE ACTING GIGS WILL START MAKING IT HARDER TO GET ON THE ROAD?

That’s really what this tour is about. A lot of people thought I was crazy -- “Why don’t you rest after doing all these films?” And I said I couldn’t think of a better way to end the year than with my fans. Then after the tour I’m taking time off and going to get away from it all for a little bit.

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ARE YOU JUST GOING TO UNPLUG FROM EVERYTHING?

Just recharge the engines. I’ve been out there so much, I feel like it was just kind of a blitz of me with the MLB commercials and films that came out so close together. Certainly I’m getting a little bit tired of seeing my own face.

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WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

The last thing that made me laugh was Garry Shandling on Bill Maher’s show the other night. It was a very heavy topic and Garry was getting in his one-liners, then Garry had a very serious point and you could kind of feel this senator guy shrug him off like, “Oh, here’s the comedian now with something to say.” And Shandling just stopped and said, “You know, I am a comedian, but in my off time stuff bothers me.” I just thought it was so perfect. I rewound it and laughed at it like 10 times in a row.

-- Chris.Barton@latimes.com