What's great about being a character actor is you know that you can survive forever. It's not about the gloss of your eyebrows.
Martin ShortRead
I hate to lull the audience into letting them think that something is something. It's always fun to defy expectations.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the pleasure of surprising an audience rather than presenting them with predictable content.
Martin Short's quote reflects the idea that engaging an audience involves breaking away from their expectations and delivering unexpected twists. He suggests that the element of surprise not only keeps the audience intrigued but also allows for a more dynamic and entertaining interaction, rather than simply reassuring them with what they might anticipate.
Themes
SurpriseAudienceExpectationsEntertainmentHumor
In practice
Example use cases
In a comedy show, a comedian might reference this quote to explain their approach to storytelling.
More from Martin Short
All quotes βI've always thought one of the tricks of being an actor for a long time is keeping yourself interested once you've figured out how to pay the rent.
Martin ShortRead
All you're trying to do in an improvisation is get as much material as possible for the editing room.
Martin ShortRead
I've chosen to treat my life more like a party than something to stress about.
Martin ShortRead
My mother was the concert master of the symphony. Absurdity and eccentricity were not criticized.
Martin ShortRead
Similar quotes
You can't study comedy; it's within you. It's a personality. My humor is an attitude.
Don RicklesRead
Sex and death. Two things that come but once in my lifetime, but at least after death you're not nauseous.
Woody AllenRead
I think a playful critique is good for all of us, and that's basically how I see satire functioning. But I'm not interested in a kind of contemptuous satirical vision; I try always, even when I'm knowingly being satirical, to also be humane, but I mean, let's face it: there's plenty in American life to make fun of, and we all participate in it.
Jennifer EganRead
You barbarians!' he yelled. 'I'll sue the council for every penny it's got! I'll have you hung, drawn and quartered! And whipped! And boiled...until...until...until...until you've had enough.' Ford was running after him. Very very fast. 'And then I will do it again!' yelled Arthur, 'And when I've finished I will take all the little bits, and I will jump on them!
Douglas AdamsRead
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George BestRead
I have a fine sense of the ridiculous, but no sense of humor.
Edward AlbeeRead