When I was a younger guy doing comedy, it was a big struggle. Promoters canceled me out of clubs left and right when I called somebody a dummy or a yo-yo. Then they realized I was different.
Don RicklesRead
You can't study comedy; it's within you. It's a personality. My humor is an attitude.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Comedy is an inherent trait and an expression of personality rather than something that can be taught.
In this quote, Don Rickles emphasizes that the essence of comedy comes from within a person, suggesting that humor is deeply tied to one's personality and attitude towards life. Rather than being a skill that can be acquired through study or practice, true comedic ability reflects an individual's inherent characteristics and perspective, highlighting the importance of authenticity in humor.
Themes
ComedyHumorPersonalityAttitudeExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a comedy workshop, I reminded the students that as Don Rickles said, 'You can't study comedy; it's within you.'
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The young comedians always ask me, 'What's the secret for staying around?' I tell them, 'There is no secret - just stay around. Longevity is the most important thing.'
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