328 Quotes by John Cleese

  • Author John Cleese
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    Nerves are always a big problem for me, which is why I loved doing American sitcoms. Because you know when you do the take in front of the audience that you're going to do it again afterwards. A minute after you finish, you just go and do it again. So, there's that sort of safety net. And then if you made a little mistake or two, they'll go pick it up, so there's nothing to worry about.

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  • Author John Cleese
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    Oh, I could spend my life having this conversation - look - please try to understand before one of us dies

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  • Author John Cleese
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    The very essence of playfulness is an openness to anything that may happen, the feeling that whatever happens, it's okay... you're either free to play, or you're not.

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  • Author John Cleese
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    I think the hard thing for young comedians is that the majority of the young people in the audience out there don't have the wide range of references.

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  • Author John Cleese
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    It’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve.

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  • Author John Cleese
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    A lot of humour is about just enjoying life and spontaneity and because you make a joke that puts somebody down - we're always teasing each other. It's with affection. It's nasty teasing that we - not all teasing; nasty teasing you cut out.

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