--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Talking Heads were a big influence on my…" description: "\"Talking Heads were a big influence on my comedy. For David Byrne, every album had to be different. With 'Portlandia,' every season has to be different...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/fred-armisen-2330_big_talking-heads-were-a-big-influence-on-my_3204727.jpg" --- # Talking Heads were a big influence on my comedy. For David… ![“Talking Heads were a big influence on my comedy. For David Byrne, every album had to be different. With 'Portlandia,' every season has to be different. You gotta reinvent the look, all of it.” quote by Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/fred-armisen-2330_big_talking-heads-were-a-big-influence-on-my_3204727.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/fred-armisen-2330_big_talking-heads-were-a-big-influence-on-my_3204727.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/fred-armisen-2330_big_talking-heads-were-a-big-influence-on-my_3204727.jpg) > “Talking Heads were a big influence on my comedy. For David Byrne, every album had to be different. With 'Portlandia,' every season has to be different. You gotta reinvent the look, all of it.” [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker emphasizes the need for continual reinvention in comedy and television, citing David Byrne and Portlandia as examples of always changing creative work. **In simple terms:** Comedy and TV must constantly evolve to stay fresh. Key Takeaway Embrace change and experiment creatively. Themes creativity innovation entertainment reinvention Mood enthusiastic analytical Type creative industry insight When to use this quote - writing rooms - show development - live performances - branding strategies Key Concepts artistic process media studies comedy theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance novelty with audience expectations? - When does reinvention become gimmick? A Different Perspective Constant change can alienate audiences who prefer consistency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) ## Related quotes > [Really, more than anything, The 2000 Year Old Man is a huge influence on all of our comedy, but specifically the live version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/really-more-than-anything-the-2000-year-old-man-is-a-huge-influence/) [Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/) > [Sarah Silverman has always been a huge influence on my comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinkx-monsoon/sarah-silverman-has-always-been-a-huge-influence-on-my-comedy/) [Jinkx Monsoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinkx-monsoon/) > [The radio was my big influence. Comedy came from the instinctual feel I had for language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-chianese/the-radio-was-my-big-influence-comedy-came-from-the-instinctual-feel/) [Dominic Chianese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-chianese/) > [As a kid, I loved Paula Poundstone and Richard Pryor. But my mother was a huge influence on my comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tig-notaro/as-a-kid-i-loved-paula-poundstone-and-richard-pryor-but-my-mother-was/) [Tig Notaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tig-notaro/) > [Usually, comedy shows only influence other comedy shows. 'M\*A\*S\*H' is one of the few comedies that influenced dramatic shows as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/usually-comedy-shows-only-influence-other-comedy-shows-m-a-s-h-is-one/) [Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/) > [I'm a fan of Talking Heads going way back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-m-a-fan-of-talking-heads-going-way-back/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I had this plan that David Byrne was going to come through the West Country one day, think, 'Who's that guy?' and ask me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bailey/i-had-this-plan-that-david-byrne-was-going-to-come-through-the-west/) [Bill Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bailey/) > [I'm no Robert Christgau or Chuck Klosterman, but I would say that Landlady is like if Harry Nilsson was produced by Brian Eno. Or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-rogowsky/i-m-no-robert-christgau-or-chuck-klosterman-but-i-would-say-that/) [Scott Rogowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-rogowsky/) > [We just met for the first time and David Byrne was like, "Hey, you want to sing on this song?" and I was like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/we-just-met-for-the-first-time-and-david-byrne-was-like-hey-you-want/) [Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/) > [As an adolescent I saw the Specials at the Glass House in Pomona, and that was life changing. I dressed the part - except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/as-an-adolescent-i-saw-the-specials-at-the-glass-house-in-pomona-and/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [I worked as an artist, played in a band, met Andy Warhol, Christo, Lou Reed, and David Byrne. I had fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lou-jepsen/i-worked-as-an-artist-played-in-a-band-met-andy-warhol-christo-lou/) [Mary Lou Jepsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lou-jepsen/) > [I wouldn't want to compare myself to David Byrne whom I consider a genius, but what I think what we have in common is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-wouldn-t-want-to-compare-myself-to-david-byrne-whom-i-consider-a/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [I feel like David Byrne is a great example of someone who is always in the 'now' moment of music and finding reasons to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santigold/i-feel-like-david-byrne-is-a-great-example-of-someone-who-is-always/) [Santigold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santigold/) > [I was a student in London in the '70s, so CBGB really wasn't on my radar at all. Obviously, I was aware of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/i-was-a-student-in-london-in-the-70s-so-cbgb-really-wasn-t-on-my/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) > [Interviewer: If I gave you fifty dollars, right now, what would you do with it?David Byrne: I would get something to eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-byrne/interviewer-if-i-gave-you-fifty-dollars-right-now-what-would-you-do/) [David Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-byrne/) ## More by Fred Armisen > [There are bands that I am friends with, who will invite me up on stage. Like Les Savy Fav, who have had me on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/there-are-bands-that-i-am-friends-with-who-will-invite-me-up-on-stage/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Steve Jobs was a real rock star to me. I looked forward to his products like people look forward to albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/steve-jobs-was-a-real-rock-star-to-me-i-looked-forward-to-his/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I like to think Portland and L.A. are not rivals; they're cousins. As cities on the West Coast, they're distinct in their own way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-like-to-think-portland-and-l-a-are-not-rivals-they-re-cousins-as/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Panned or not, 'Dune' is a real part of science-fiction filmmaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/panned-or-not-dune-is-a-real-part-of-science-fiction-filmmaking/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Something about Portland just really resonated with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/something-about-portland-just-really-resonated-with-me/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Sometimes I think I'm a really interesting guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/sometimes-i-think-i-m-a-really-interesting-guy/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I met Steve Jobs once. In '06? He had a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-met-steve-jobs-once-in-06-he-had-a-sense-of-humor/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [I loved our music discussion. I live for discussions like that. It's my favorite thing because it means that people care about music, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/i-loved-our-music-discussion-i-live-for-discussions-like-that-it-s-my/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [Bill Hader does a really good impression of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/bill-hader-does-a-really-good-impression-of-me/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [When you're being mean to someone, you can feel the audience just get cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/when-you-re-being-mean-to-someone-you-can-feel-the-audience-just-get/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [There's no judgment on bands that continue on who aren't popular; some people get enjoyment out of it. 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I had such a thrill saying, 'OMG, I was in a sketch with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/as-a-kid-the-monkees-was-such-a-cool-show-i-had-such-a-thrill-saying/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [ Just a lot of those bands \[like The Blue Jean Committee\] started off in blues, and then they all transformed into other kinds. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/just-a-lot-of-those-bands-like-the-blue-jean-committee-started-off-in/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) [Explore all 171 Fred Armisen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [My parents are divorced, and seeing that was really painful for me. Really painful for me. But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I always want to do a big finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-always-want-to-do-a-big-finale/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [I think a big part of success in football is mental, not physical. How you are inside your head matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iker-casillas/i-think-a-big-part-of-success-in-football-is-mental-not-physical-how/) [Iker Casillas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iker-casillas/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? 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