I've done a couple of movies for scale, and it's the only way to get a lot of these independent movies made. The actors negotiate deals where they're given just enough money to live on during the filming, but then they participate in the back-end. If the movie suddenly makes a gazillion dollars, we'll participate in that profit.

I've got the Jewish guilt and the Irish shame and it's a hell of a job distinguishing which is which.

When you have satire, it has to be real. No matter how outrageous the comedy becomes, you have to believe in the characters.

Most of the comedies I've done have been rather farcical and extravagant.

I see God as a song-and-dance man. If I had my way, he'd be able to carry a tune, too. Preferably, one of mine.

Playing Shakespeare requires technique. You don't play a Bach toccata by getting in the mood.

We're all animals, but we're a different sort of animal. Maybe they're better than us. They're more loyal. They're more pure. They're more simple. They're not neurotic. Well, there are some neurotic dogs.