When the target audience is American teenage kids, you can have problems. My generation prized really fine acting and writing. Sometimes you have to go back to the basic principles which underpin great visual comedy.

Quote by John Cleese

Topics: John Cleese Quotes

I was very sad to hear of the death of Ronnie Barker, who was such...

I was very sad to hear of the death of Ronnie Barker, who was such...

Don't let anyone tell you what you ought to like... Some wines that some experts...

Don't let anyone tell you what you ought to like... Some wines that some experts...

The English contribution to world cuisine - the chip.

The English contribution to world cuisine - the chip.

You don't have to be the Dalai Lama to tell people that life's about change.

You don't have to be the Dalai Lama to tell people that life's about change.

If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes...

If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes...

If life were fair, Dan Quayle would be making a living asking 'Do you want...

If life were fair, Dan Quayle would be making a living asking 'Do you want...

A man will give up almost anything except his suffering.

A man will give up almost anything except his suffering.

It seems astounding to me now that the video games are perhaps as important as...

It seems astounding to me now that the video games are perhaps as important as...

I used to desire many, many things, but now I have just one desire, and...

I used to desire many, many things, but now I have just one desire, and...

He who laughs most, learns best.

He who laughs most, learns best.

If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.

If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.

I tend to have an odd split in my mind: I tend to look at...

I tend to have an odd split in my mind: I tend to look at...

But then acting is all about faking. We're all very good at faking things that...

But then acting is all about faking. We're all very good at faking things that...

The thrill I got discovering Buster Keaton when I was growing up was so exciting....

The thrill I got discovering Buster Keaton when I was growing up was so exciting....

I want to write a book which is the history of comedy.

I want to write a book which is the history of comedy.

Comedy always works best when it is mean-spirited.

Comedy always works best when it is mean-spirited.

God was treated like this powerful, erratic, rather punitive father who has to be pacified...

God was treated like this powerful, erratic, rather punitive father who has to be pacified...

The really good idea is always traceable back quite a long way, often to a...

The really good idea is always traceable back quite a long way, often to a...

I find it rather easy to portray a businessman. Being bland, rather cruel and incompetent...

I find it rather easy to portray a businessman. Being bland, rather cruel and incompetent...

I think that sometimes you do something that makes a small group of people laugh,...

I think that sometimes you do something that makes a small group of people laugh,...