I can't imagine a successful comedy movie without a successful comedy performance at the heart of it.

Chicago still remains a Mecca of the Midwest - people from both coasts are kind of amazed how good life is in Chicago, and what a good culture we've got. You can have a pretty wonderful artistic life and never leave Chicago.

Where's the great pay? Where's the travel? Where's the Winnebago, Goddamnit!

The trick with sequels is, you have to give people what they liked before, yet be innovative enough so they don't feel like they're seeing the same movie.

Find the most talented person in the room and if it's not you, go stand next to him. Hang out with him. try to be helpful.

You can perceive life as tragic, or you can laugh at the tragedy of it and that turns it into comedy. It doesn't change the circumstances.

Most comedies are calculated. They tend to pander. They're not about anything important.