There's a lot of cynicism. Let's really enjoy Christmas, with all that's going on in the world.

One of the first things you ever learn as a stand-up is don't show fear.

Every new routine I have ever written and performed probably occurred extemporaneously. Then after you have fleshed it out and tried it out in front of a number of audiences and it works, you put it down on paper.

I don't want to find the secret. I'm afraid all the joy will go out of it if I find the secret.

All comedians are, in a way, anarchists. Our job is to make fun of the existing world.

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.

You never know when you'll come upon something and it's going to be fodder for new material.