As it stands right now, I lead Richard Pryor in heart attacks, two to one. However, Richard still leads me, one to nothing, in burning yourself up.

I try not to see new comics - their acts or their films. Part of that is professional. I don't want to be influenced. But another part is fear and jealousy. I'm afraid to see how good they might be. I don't like that emotion, but it's part of me.

I don't like the phrase shock value. Surprise is essential in comedy, and if people are shocked by what I consider merely surprising, then that's their shock. But there is no joke without surprise.

Heart disease has changed my eating habits, but I still cook bacon for the smell.

Test of Metal: Will of Iron, Nerves of Steel, Heart of Gold, Balls of Brass.

I go to bed early; my favorite dream comes on at nine.

If the reason for climbing Mt. Everest is that it's hard to do, why does everyone go up the easy side?