--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The jokes are great but what really…" description: "\"The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian is his performance, his whole attitude, and the laughs that he gets between the jokes rather..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg" --- # The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian… ![“The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian is his performance, his whole attitude, and the laughs that he gets between the jokes rather than on top of the jokes.” quote by Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg) > “The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian is his performance, his whole attitude, and the laughs that he gets between the jokes rather than on top of the jokes.” [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A comedian's success depends on performance attitude and the spontaneous laughs between jokes, not just the jokes themselves. **In simple terms:** Comedy is about delivery and timing, not just material. Key Takeaway Focus on presence and audience connection. Themes comedy performance timing audience engagement Mood humorous observant Type entertaining analytical When to use this quote - stand‑up shows - open mic nights - workshops Key Concepts improvisation stagecraft Questions to Reflect On - How do you keep energy high on stage? - What moments spark genuine laughter? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on jokes can neglect authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) ## Related quotes > [Inside was the second LP album of a comedian's performance before an audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelley-berman/inside-was-the-second-lp-album-of-a-comedian-s-performance-before-an/) [Shelley Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelley-berman/) > [A difference of taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-difference-of-taste-in-jokes-is-a-great-strain-on-the-affections/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Different taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/different-taste-in-jokes-is-a-great-strain-on-the-affections/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [Being able to write jokes is great, but you still have to get used to performing them and being on stage - and enjoying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-brennan/being-able-to-write-jokes-is-great-but-you-still-have-to-get-used-to/) [Neal Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-brennan/) > [With the wacky jokes that we do on 'Great News,' you do overall still want to be coming from a place of truth with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/briga-heelan/with-the-wacky-jokes-that-we-do-on-great-news-you-do-overall-still/) [Briga Heelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/briga-heelan/) > [Jokes are great capsules of information. I think they should never be censored. They often are offensive - and we're offended by different things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-tillman/jokes-are-great-capsules-of-information-i-think-they-should-never-be/) [Lynne Tillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-tillman/) > [My mom is two people to me. She's my mom number one, and then she's this lady most comedians know as being a legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/my-mom-is-two-people-to-me-she-s-my-mom-number-one-and-then-she-s/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [When a soldier of the night's watch dies they say, "And now his watch is over." That's what they say when a comedian dies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-williams/when-a-soldier-of-the-night-s-watch-dies-they-say-and-now-his-watch/) [Brad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-williams/) > [I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [If someone doesn't like a comedian that's fine; a lot of people probably don't like my standup, and that's fine. But I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/if-someone-doesn-t-like-a-comedian-that-s-fine-a-lot-of-people/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [The only difference between a comedian and someone else? We need to make people laugh more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/the-only-difference-between-a-comedian-and-someone-else-we-need-to/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [I like to turn up my collar when I'm leaving the theatre and feel like I'm some heroic comedian figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-skinner/i-like-to-turn-up-my-collar-when-i-m-leaving-the-theatre-and-feel/) [Frank Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-skinner/) > [At one point when I was very young, when I was first starting out, I thought, 'Well, one day I'll be able to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/at-one-point-when-i-was-very-young-when-i-was-first-starting-out-i/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [I would say most comedians have a very cynical worldview of the way the world can work. It's almost like if you didn't, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/i-would-say-most-comedians-have-a-very-cynical-worldview-of-the-way/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [If I had a choice, I would rather watch a comedian not involve themselves in politics at all but be hilarious than someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/if-i-had-a-choice-i-would-rather-watch-a-comedian-not-involve/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) ## More by Jack Dee > [In my local newspaper, they had this advert: 'please look after your neighbours in the cold weather'. I live next door to this 84-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/in-my-local-newspaper-they-had-this-advert-please-look-after-your/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [One of my friends went on a murder weekend... now he is doing life for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/one-of-my-friends-went-on-a-murder-weekend-now-he-is-doing-life-for-it/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Mmmm... the comedy that matters is the comedy you pull out of thin air. It's a bit like when something funny has happened and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/mmmm-the-comedy-that-matters-is-the-comedy-you-pull-out-of-thin-air/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The rain forest has Sting. Now Siberia has Jack Dee. Someone had to draw the short straw. In this case it was the rain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-rain-forest-has-sting-now-siberia-has-jack-dee-someone-had-to/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Depression is something that has always figured in my life but now I'm dealing with it. I wish I'd done this years ago because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/depression-is-something-that-has-always-figured-in-my-life-but-now-i/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [They call it 'surfing' the net. It's not surfing. It's typing in your bedroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/they-call-it-surfing-the-net-it-s-not-surfing-it-s-typing-in-your/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The film industry is like Anne Robinsonalways on the look-out for a new face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-film-industry-is-like-anne-robinsonalways-on-the-look-out-for-a/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [And people are intrigued if I really am as grumpy in real life. People feel a bit let down if I'm laughing or smiling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/and-people-are-intrigued-if-i-really-am-as-grumpy-in-real-life-people/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I was on various anti-depressants, but not for long - I didn't function very well on them. I felt sort of flattened out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-was-on-various-anti-depressants-but-not-for-long-i-didn-t-function/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I have had issues with depression all my life, and it's probably true to say there was a tendency towards it even when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-have-had-issues-with-depression-all-my-life-and-it-s-probably-true/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [The good thing about 'Have I Got News For You' is it's a compact show but it still gives everyone space to breathe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-good-thing-about-have-i-got-news-for-you-is-it-s-a-compact-show/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I was so keen to become a comedian that actually doing the comedy itself almost came second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-was-so-keen-to-become-a-comedian-that-actually-doing-the-comedy/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [Whenever you're in any acting role you are mortgaging your own character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/whenever-you-re-in-any-acting-role-you-are-mortgaging-your-own/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [I had a longing for ritual, something I could cling to, a routine to make me feel well and contented. I hoped that reading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/i-had-a-longing-for-ritual-something-i-could-cling-to-a-routine-to/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) > [But I like going to church. If you've been brought up in the Church of England, it feels like visiting an elderly relative. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/but-i-like-going-to-church-if-you-ve-been-brought-up-in-the-church-of/) [Jack Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) [Explore all 45 Jack Dee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian is his performance, his whole attitude, and the laughs that he gets between the jokes rather than on top of the jokes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Dee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matters-for-a-comedian-is-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matters-for-a-comedian-is-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a18/jack-dee-14896_attitude_the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matt_3044309.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The jokes are great but what really matters for a comedian is his performance, his whole attitude, and the…” — Jack Dee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jack Dee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The jokes are great but what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matters-for-a-comedian-is-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dee/the-jokes-are-great-but-what-really-matters-for-a-comedian-is-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```