Named “Comedian Of The Year” for 2011 at the Young Hollywood Awards, Dan Levy is poised for some huge success of his own. Performing comedy since college, Levy is a regular on “Chelsea Lately“ and a writer on NBC‘s much buzzed about new sitcom “Whitney“, (starring fellow stand up and good friend Whitney Cummings). His career started when he won the title “Funniest College Comedian in America“ at the 2001 Aspen U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. Levy then went on to host a string of MTV shows as well as starring in and developing sitcoms for Comedy Central and NBC. He just released (August 16) the critically loved, fan loved, what’s not to love “Congrats on Your Success” which is already being called one of the best comedy albums of the year thus far, and has everyone dancing around in their Whateva Whateva shoes. Enjoy our interview with Dan after the jump.

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Serial Optimist: You were named “Comedian of the Year” for 2011 by the Young Hollywood Awards, and back in 2001 named “Funniest College Comedian in America” at the Aspen U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. So I’ll just assume you only do comedy to win these awards, and for no other reason. All kidding aside, what do these honors mean to you?

Dan Levy: I only like to win awards that celebrate my youth!

SO: When you went off to college at Emerson, did you know going in you wanted to pursue comedy? What was the plan, if any, at that point?

Dan: I started performing improv and sketch comedy in high school and I loved it but it wasn’t until college when it seemed like something I could do for real. I was lucky to win the awards in Aspen and set up a college tour right after graduating.

SO: At what point in your life did you realize you were funny? That you could do this professionally?

Dan: I think when this kid Evan was bully-ing me on the school bus. In a way to defend myself I told him he “smelled like milk”. He didn’t know how to react and everyone laughed at him. He didn’t make fun of me again.

SO: You have been doing comedy for over ten years. Do you agree with the point of view that it takes “seven years” or more to really become a good comedian? 

Dan: It takes a while to get funny. The longer you are in it and the more ridiculous/annoying/frustrating/terrible things happen in your life or to your career the funnier you get.

SO: You have written and hosted several shows, especially online, and have a large Twitter following. Do you feel the Internet has been a large factor in your career?

Dan: I think the Internet is a large factor in everyone’s life now so it has helped my career too. Twitter is the best way to keep in constant contact with your fans.

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SO: You appear often on “Chelsea Lately”. I’ve interviewed most of the roundtable regulars, and while they all say it’s a great stage to get comedians noticed, they also have usually a “pro” and “con” list about it, the con usually just having to be on when Jo Koy is on. What has your experience been like and how do you feel like Chelsea Lately has helped grow a following for you?

Dan: Ha. I’ve never been on with Jo but apparently that is a good thing. Chelsea has a strong following so it’s been great for the road.

SO: You’re a writer on the new NBC sitcom “Whitney” starring fellow comedian Whitney Cummings. Have you all collaborated before, and what can you tell us about the upcoming season?

Dan: Whitney and I have been friends for years and we’ve always worked on jokes and material so this is kinda the same thing. But now instead of working at Coffee Bean we’re on sound stages and instead of Whitney getting a green tea late’… she’s getting rich. And as far as the show…it’s gonna be hilarious!

SO: You toured with Aziz Ansari last year for huge audiences and sold out venues. Was that the biggest audience you have had during a tour, and is it where you honed your material for “Congrats on Your Success”?

Dan: Yes I worked out all the material for the album on that tour. The biggest crowd ever was Gator Growl, which I did with Aziz and Kevin Hart for 50,000 college students. That was insane!

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SO: I was able to preview “Congrats on Your Success,” which came out Aug. 16. I have to say it’s one of my favorite comedy albums of the year. Hard laughs throughout. I love how you incorporated digital shorts as well. What was the process like putting this album together? Now that it’s finally here, are you anxious, excited, and relieved?

Dan: Thanks a lot. Are you sure you were listening to mine? It was a long process with lots of me listening to me and hating it. But at the end of the day, I’m really proud of what I did. I just wanted it to be really funny. I recorded it nine months ago at the comedy works and spent the past few months editing it and picking the shorts too. Comedy Central is really easy to work with so it was a pretty smooth process.

SO: What happens now? You have “Whitney” premiering in the fall, your album release, is there a tour planned? What does the rest of the year look like for you?

Dan: I’m going to tour in the spring with some new material and I have a sketch show coming out in the spring on VH1 called “Stevie TV” that I’ll be writing and executive producing.

SO: Who are some of your current favorite comedians? Who really makes you laugh?

Dan: Louie CK and Bill Burr make me die.

SO: Would you say you’re more of an optimist, pessimist, or realist, and why?

Dan: Optimist. Because why not really.

SO: What’s your all time favorite pair of sneakers?

Dan: Air Jordan 5 “grapes”.

SO: Thanks Dan! 

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SO Note: Find “Congrats on Your Success” on iTunes here, check out Dan’s website danlevyshow.com, and follow him on Twitter @danlevy.