It's like being a gym rat, but you're a theater rat, and then that becomes your fraternity house. That becomes your extended family.
Billy CrystalRead
That's still the greatest high, that feeling of being in control of 2,000 people. It's me and them, and I like the odds. It's not even so much the funny. It's getting them quiet. In the quiet moments in '700 Sundays,' I just really love that they're getting moved.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The joy of connecting with a large audience and having control over their engagement.
In this quote, Billy Crystal expresses the exhilaration he feels when commanding the attention of a crowd. He emphasizes that beyond the humor of his performance, the moments of silence and emotional impact resonate with him deeply, as he appreciates the connection he establishes with his audience through shared experiences and feelings.
Themes
PerformanceAudienceConnectionControlEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about leadership, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of engaging with one's followers.
More from Billy Crystal
All quotes →I can't bear to think of life without Janice. I want to go first because I don't want to miss her, because that would be a pain far worse than any death.
Billy CrystalRead
You have to really respect what your kids are doing with their kids and how they're raising them. You can't push your way into areas where you shouldn't be saying anything. You have to always remember they're not your own kids. Play with them, love them, spoil them to death - then hand them back.
Billy CrystalRead
In high school, I was the class comedian as opposed to the class clown. The difference is the class clown is the guy who drops his pants at the football game, the class comedian is the guy who talked him into it.
Billy CrystalRead
One night, I wrote down all the things I was waiting to do with my little granddaughter, and it became a book, 'I Already Know I Love You.' It was one of those really lovely things in life.
Billy CrystalRead
I never missed a birthday. I never missed a school play. We carpooled. And the greatest compliment I can ever get is not about my career or performance or anything; it's when people say, 'You know, your girls are great.' That's the real thing for me.
Billy CrystalRead
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