Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.
In America you can go on the air and kid the politicians, and the politicians can go on the air and kid the people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the interplay of humor and politics in America, where both politicians and comedians can engage in playful criticism of each other.
Groucho Marx's quote reflects the unique relationship between humor and politics in America, where the freedom of expression allows comedians to mock politicians, and politicians, in turn, engage with the public using a light-hearted approach. This dynamic illustrates how comedy can serve as a lens through which the public perceives political realities, often blurring the lines between serious issues and satire, thus fostering a culture where both jest and governance coexist.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used to start a discussion about political satire in a comedy club.
More from Groucho Marx
All quotes βJohn you say you met in an elevator. Was the elevator going up at the time, or down? This is very important, for going down in an elevator one always has that sinking feeling and for all I know you may have this confused with love. If you were going up, it is clearly a case of love at first sight.
Firefly: Where is your husband? Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead. Firefly: I'll bet he's just using that as an excuse. Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end. Firefly: Hmmph. No wonder he passed away. Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him. Firefly: Oh I see. Then, it was murder.
Chico: "Here's the book, it's a dollar" Groucho: "Here's a ten, and shoot the change." Chico: "I don't have change I'd have to give you nine more books.
Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don't let that fool you: he really is an idiot. I implore you, send him back to his father and brothers, who are waiting for him with open arms in the penitentiary. I suggest that we give him ten years in Leavenworth, or eleven years in Twelveworth.
Die, my dear? Why that's the last thing I'll do!
Similar quotes
I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch._x000D_ _x000D_ Your heart's an empty hole._x000D_ _x000D_ Your brain is full of spiders,_x000D_ _x000D_ You've got garlic in your soul.
The bad thing about being a famous comedian is that every now and then someone approaches me to tell an old joke. Don't tell me jokes - I have that. People also say the weirdest things, sometimes sarcastic things, and even evil things. They like to provoke to get a reaction.
If the Earth could be made to rotate twice as fast, managers would get twice as much done. If the Earth could be made to rotate twenty times as fast, everyone else would get twice as much done since all the managers would fly off.
The object of a comedy is not to correct morals or ridicule the vices of society; no, a comedy should depict the discrepancies between life and purpose, should be the fruit of bitter indignation aroused by the degradation of human dignity, should be sarcasm, and not an epigram, convulsive laughter and not an amused grin, should be written with bile and not diluted salt, in a word, it should embrace life in its highest significance.
Little fussy Otto, in his red-lined black opera cloak with pockets for all his gear, his shiny black shoes, his carefully cut widow's peak and, not least, his ridiculous accent that grew thicker or thinner depending on who he was talking to, did not look like a threat. He looked funny, a joke, a music-hall vampire. It had never previously occurred to Vimes that, just possibly, the joke was on other people.