I had a very, very difficult relationship with my mother, who was supremely self-centred. She was hilariously self-centred. She did not really take interest in anything that didnt immediately affect her. – John Cleese
Michael Palin decided to give up on his considerable comedy talents to make those dreadfully tedious travel shows. Have you ever tried to watch one? – John Cleese
I was always a sports nut but Ive lost interest now in whether one bunch of mercenaries in north London is going to beat another bunch of mercenaries from west London. – John Cleese
If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge its truth. – John Cleese
Youve got to honor your relationship with your audience – that they sit down because they want to be entertained. And that doesnt mean you cant provoke them and antagonize them and challenge them in the course of the entertainment as long as you keep the entertainment part of the equation alive. – David E. Kelley