Chris Rock Quotes

That's the nice thing about doing stand-up. There's no development, you just go out there and get an immediate response as to whether something is good or bad. Getting a laugh is the best measure of how well you're doing.

There's nothing more instructive than the immediate response of an audience.

I think that if an audience is truly appreciative of a performance, they will show it. Sometimes though, there are little differences, and there are audiences that are very reserved even though they are enjoying the show.

It's nice to get the feedback from a theater audience. It's a gas.

It is a feel-good factor when you get an instant reaction from the audience.

The audience is so important. Because there's something that I might think is super funny, but if it's just not getting the feedback, I have to let it go.

You listen to the audience. The audience is wrong individually and always right collectively. If they don't laugh, it isn't funny. If they cough, it isn't interesting. If they walk out, you are in trouble.

The thing about having an audience right there laughing is that critics can write what they want, but the proof is right there in front of you.

I once spoke to 9,000 people, but they managed to fit them all into a structure that resembled a Zeppelin hangar, so it was a contained space in which whatever laughter I generated could ricochet and hang around for a bit, encouraging others to join in.

Everyone tells me I need to do comedy. It's never something that crossed my mind, but to be able to do a true comedy and make people laugh, that would be great.

Through years and years of playing to various audiences, what I've learned is - and I think quite a few actors will agree with me - we're not always the best judge of that audience's reactions or not. And we discover, to our amazement, at the end of the show, they bring the house down with applause, and we thought, 'No way tonight,' you know.

The live performance aspect of shooting a multicamera sitcom is wonderful. You have that instant audience reaction.

The Apollo seats 3,600 people: I could hear them making a huge noise for Milton Jones and Lee Mack. If the audience doesn't make the same amount of noise for you, you feel like you've failed.

I'm obsessed with audiences and obsessed with the journey that an audience goes on.

Whether they cheer or whether they boo really doesn't bother me as long as they're paying attention.

I appreciate the audience for checking us as comics.

[Malipiero's advice to Casanova.] If you wish your audience to cry, you must shed tears yourself, but if you wish to make them laugh you must contrive to look as serious as a judge.

The audience works as such a mob. They either all laugh or all don't laugh, and, you know, changes from audience to audience.

I remember seeing Eddie Murphy RAW and seeing people laughing and having a good time and that was the same response I was getting so I thought I was on to something.

Comedy is harder than drama, because with comedy you're expecting a result..you make them laugh. [If] they ain't laughing then you're screwed.

Shall I crack any of those old jokes, master, At which the audience never fail to laugh?

In an odd way, my parents were proud of me. When they saw me do stand-up, I'd see them looking around the room and watch them taking in the people laughing. On some level, that comforted them.

It's hard to get laughs when you're new.

You start to find a rhythm and usually if it makes me laugh or comment in the editing room then I knew that's what's going to happen in the audience. That first reaction is usually the right reaction.

Sometimes they laugh at things I don't think are funny, but I believe if they're laughing at me, it's a good show.