It's much better to invite the audience to be part of your show rather than saying, "I command you to do this." The other thing is, you have to follow through. If you initiate a game and they take part, you can't stop until it reaches a mutually satisfying resolution.
Stephen ColbertIf the eyes are the window to the soul, then why does it hurt when I spray them with Windex?
Stephen ColbertRemember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics donโt learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying โyesโ begins things. Saying โyesโ is how things grow. Saying โyesโ leads to knowledge. โYesโ is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say โyes'.
Stephen ColbertIf I had free time to go to Los Angeles to shoot a movie, I would rather spend it with my kids.
Stephen ColbertWriting and producing the show is an intellectual process. Performing the show is far more athletic and intuitive, because you don't get to do it twice. It helps if you've done whatever the old saw is, 10,000 hours of it. Because I've done 10,000 hours of comedy, I have this database in my mind of what works and what doesn't work.
Stephen Colbert