I like things matching. I have an upright bass, a drum kit and a grand piano that's the same color. I tend to overthink things.

If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell—or not getting eternal life or whatever—and you think that, well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward. . . . How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?

Technology adds nothing to art. Two thousand years ago, I could tell you a story, and at any point during the story I could stop, and ask, 'Now do you want the hero to be kidnapped, or not?' But that would, of course, have ruined the story. Part of the experience of being entertained is sitting back and plugging into someone else's vision.

For better or worse, in the 21st century, reality shows are the variety show.

Behaving morally because of a hope of reward or a fear of punishment is not morality.

In music, if you hit a wrong note, people forgive you. In magic when something goes wrong, the entire art is destroyed.

I was about 12 when I heard my first Lenny Bruce record. He was already dead. But it changed my life and really did change the world.