Comedian Dane Cook feels "like a shuttle pilot going to Mars."

Not only did People maggie include the Arlington homey in its annual "Sexiest Man Alive" issue last week, Dane's talking turkey on Jay Leno's Thanksgiving show and he's down to host "Saturday Night Live" on Dec. 3. In January, Cook has two movies to juggle, both leading roles.

When you're hot, you're hot . . . .

"I often feel like I get to be two people ­ the guy who performs and the guy who I am when I am away from the stage," Cook told the Track. "And then there's this third person ­ the fan who sits back, watches and enjoys it all."

And it's been a helluva ride, especially after Dane's CD/DVD set "Retaliation" made history last summer by becoming the highest-debuting comedy album ever ­ No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

The "SNL" offer came just three days ago although Cook has been on creator Lorne Michael's radar screen since 1996 when he was asked to audition for the ensemble. But Dane didn't deign to do it.

"I didn't feel like I was ready," Cook confessed. "I didn't have the chops to offer anything to the show. And I didn't want to be a benchwarmer, so I passed on the audition. Since then, there's been rumblings about me becoming a cast member, but as the years went on, my fan base grew and I got so busy, it basically fell apart."

In other words, Dane got too big.

Cook said when he walks into the "SNL" offices on Monday, he'll be armed with ideas for skits and characters to pitch to head writer Tina Fey and her band of silly scribes.

"You know I'll do anything for a laugh," he laughed.

Hey, Tina & Company got New England Patriots matinee idol Tom Brady to strip down to his tightie whities!

"I've gotten naked on stage . . .yup, ripped all my clothes off right there," the comic scoffed. "I've done the craziest stuff."

As for the recent "Why We Love Funny Guys" props in People, Dane said he wishes he could turn the clock back and run through Arlington High waving the maggie at all the girls.

"I've come a long way from the introverted, nervous guy who used to walk those halls," he said.