While you're improvising, you may come up with something which will break him up. As soon as that smile comes out, you know that, hey, we're having fun.
Shelley BermanWe teach reading, writing and math by [having students do] them. But we teach democracy by lecture.
Shelley BermanI am presently in my thirteenth year of teaching a graduate course at the University of Southern California.
Shelley BermanI heard the other day of a man who paid a psychologist $50 to cure him of an inferiority complex - and later was fined $25 and costs for talking back to a traffic cop.
Shelley BermanAs a culture I see us as presently deprived of subtleties. The music is loud, the anger is elevated, sex seems lacking in sweetness and privacy.
Shelley BermanThe most unusual salesman I ever met is a fellow who made a modest fortune purveying lightning rods. But he suddenly lost interest in his work. He got caught in a storm with a bunch of samples in his arms.
Shelley BermanIf you've never met a student from the University of Chicago, I'll describe him to you. If you give him a glass of water, he says, 'This is a glass of water. But is it a glass of water? And if it is a glass of water, why is it a glass of water?' And eventually he dies of thirst.
Shelley BermanAs much experience, education and awareness as one can attain is important for a comedian.
Shelley BermanThe old problems - love, money, security, status, health, etc. - are still here to plague us or please us.
Shelley BermanI am in the Master of Professional Writing program teaching Humor Writing, Literary and Dramatic.
Shelley BermanThe Steve Allen Sunday night show had the right to two options after my first performance.
Shelley Berman