I was influenced by every comedian I ever saw work. That's the only way you learn how to do it.

The first time I got up in front of an audience was terror, abject terror, which continued for another four or five years. There still is, a little bit.

I kind of do it in my head, then I'll try pieces of it on stage and if it looks promising, I'll put it together.

Funny is funny is funny.

Women are more emotional. They do get flustered. Which is not to say that men are better than they. It's simply the way it is.

There are a lot of questions I keep asking myself about why I do comedy. I guess I laugh to keep from crying. And I guess if you ever get me crying, I might not stop. This is the way I look at tragedy or else I'll cry.

It was a decision to work clean. I just prefer to work that way. I have no problem with comedians who don't work that way. There was a temptation in the early '70s to reconsider. I decided against it.