An effective speaker can do more damage or more good in a well-stated minute than an angry klutz could do in half an hour.

By the time I was in the fourth grade, I sounded exactly like my father on the phone.

History is not reassuring on the subject of the longevity of seemingly lasting great nations, is it?

Its fun for me to go on other folks talk shows. When youve endured the ups and downs and tensions and pitfalls of hosting, being a guest is a piece of angel food.

I guess the best advice I ever got or anyone could get for doing a talk show, though it has not been easy very often, was from Jack Paar, who said, 'Kid, don't make it an interview. Interviews have clipboards, and you're like David Frost. Make it a conversation.'

It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear.

Radio, which was a much better medium than television will ever be, was easy and pleasant to listen to. Your mind filled automatically with images.