I regard myself as a beautiful musical instrument, and my role is to contribute that instrument to scripts worthy of it.
Ed Asner[on making the transition from the comedy "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) to its dramatic spin-off series "Lou Grant" (1977)] We were really worried about changing over from a three-camera, half-hour comedy to a one-camera, full-hour drama. The audience wasn't ready for the switch - even CBS billed us in their promos as a comedy. In fact, the whole thing was impossible. But we didn't know that.
Ed AsnerThey say making laws is like making sausages. You shouldn't watch. It's the same for acting, especially for the actor who works unconsciously.
Ed Asner