33 Quotes by Billy Gardell

Whenever I realize I’m being a goofball, I write it down. When I release the joke onstage, I love watching the effect it has on the audience. No one wants to see someone talk who takes themselves too seriously.

I’m from Minnesota! I used to work Knuckleheads at the Mall of America as a stand-up. I spent New Year’s there once. I’m not trying to namedrop.

Stand-up will always come first. I’ve been doing it for 22 years, and nothing compares to that connection you have with the audience. It’s euphoric.

As a comic, I’ve heard gunshots while I’m trying to get to sleep. I’ve performed where people wanted to do you harm after the show because of something you said.

I like those older theaters – the acoustics are perfect, I mean, you just have that feel of there’s been a thousand shows in there and now you get to be one.

The quickest way to defuse fear or insecurity or anger is usually humor. I think comics figure that out quickly, and, once you figure it out, you think, 'Hey, if I can do this and get paid, that would be kind of cool.'