I've been a live performer longer than I've been a television performer. For me, live is where it's at.
I would rather speak to 500 men that would give me their attention that to 100,000 that would not.
Sometimes I feel like I'm a preacher as well, 'cause I can really get into an audience.
There's something about the idea of writing, and thinking about writing as a form of prayer - the way as a writer you call out into the world and throw your words into the world. You're not praying to a god, but you're almost conjuring a reader to arrive. That's what books do: they're an invitation to readers.
When I step on the stage and sing 'Wait for It,' I'm singing that for everybody. I don't mean I'm singing it for them; I mean, you are their voice.
If you make something from your heart, of course you want it to connect with the people.
When I started out, I really struggled as a comic because no one knew who I was, and sometimes I was telling stories, so it would take a while for people to get on board for things.
Don't try and make a movie for someone else. You have to make it for you and trust that you're not that unique. And that'll matter to other people as well.
People like to be moved, that's why they're here listening to you instead of sitting at home with the Shipping Forecast.
You're basically getting on stage and asking people, 'Do you guys like me? Do you like who I am?' But you grow pretty thick skinned. And the less scared you seem, the more people like you anyway.
In singing, you cannot 'cheat' if you want to give emotions to those who are listening. You must have something to tell.
The body cannot lie. You cannot be somebody else onstage, no matter how good of an actor or dancer or singer you are. When you open your arms, move your finger, the audience knows who you are, you know.
When you can connect with a live audience and you get that immediate response it's just great.
If you can make yourself popular in front of any audience, you can use it anywhere.
I want everything to be an honest extension of me. What better way than me talking? It's a direct connection with everyone. With film and television, you make great projects, but stand-up is the thing that is completely yours.
When I really started just giving them the truth of who I was, that's when my fan base really started to grow.
What excites me? Had you asked me that question a few years ago, the answer would’ve rolled right off my tongue. Today, I think it's moving and uplifting my audience. Having them get it and go with it. That excites me.
Every now and then, when you're on stage, you hear the best sound a player can hear. It's a sound you can't get in movies or in television. It is the sound of a wonderful, deep silence that means you've hit them where they live.
A story is much more effective than a statistic.
The thrill of writing songs for other people, when you get that right, that person's soul speaks to that song; you've done them a favor and the world a favor. That's what writing is all about - you're always trying to get the real picture.
