Kelsey Cook is on the move with her latest special ‘The Hustler.’

The Hustler is an apt title for Kelsey Cook’s first hour-long comedy special. The Cheney High graduate has been constantly on the go for the past few months. Since September, Cook has been recording her special, moving from Spokane to Minneapolis and performing across the country.

“It’s been an intense time,” Cook said when she called from her home in Minneapolis. “So much has happened, but it’s an exciting time for me.”

Cook, 33, has been over the moon since appearing on The Tonight Show for the second time in her career last week. “It was incredible because I had (host) Jimmy Fallon on one side and (House Band ‘Tonight Show’) the Roots on the other,” Cook said. “I had the opportunity to perform and it was just so cool. The great thing about returning to the show was that I knew what was going to happen and I enjoyed the experience so much more.”

Much of the material from The Hustler available on YouTube comes from Cook’s relationships. The Washington State University graduate opens up about her recent divorce and her new boyfriend, who is from Minneapolis. Cook doesn’t demonize those close to her and she shares her material with her ex and current flame.

“I think that’s only fair,” Cook said. “I’m still friends with my ex-husband. I won’t beat him on stage. I think people can relate to what I’m talking about with this special.”

Cook will be touring for much of the year but will be back in Spokane in October. By then, Cook should have another hour of comedy. “I’m trying to develop new material,” Cook said. “But it’s great to have the hour-long comedy special under my belt. I recorded another special that was shorter than this one.”

Cook, who has returned between Los Angeles and Spokane in recent years, loves the Twin Cities although she misses her hometown. “Spokane will always be my place,” Cook said. “My family and so many of my friends are there. I have so many memories but I’m so excited to be here in Minneapolis. I’m in a new city, in a new relationship, and I have a new special.”

Comedy wasn’t the most predictable path for WSU’s math major, who switched to communications as a junior. “I love math, but I didn’t want to work in a job that uses math,” Cook said. “I found myself and what I should be doing. It’s not easy when you’re 20, but I think I’m there now. It took a while, but everything worked out.”

There’s another reason Cook’s special is called The Hustler. Cook has no problem taking advantage of strangers stupid enough to challenge her at foosball. “I rush people,” Cook said. “I giggle and play bad at first and then I ask if we can play for money … Then I become a different person and go all out.”

Cook is just as aggressive at comedy as he is at foosball. “If I wasn’t like that, I wouldn’t have gotten this far,” Cook said. “Hey, it paid off. That’s the way you have to be if you want to achieve something in this business.”