--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't get so serious as to not…" description: "\"You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do is entertainment, but when you have the chance to provoke thought or advance discussion on a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg" --- # You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do… ![“You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do is entertainment, but when you have the chance to provoke thought or advance discussion on a topic, it's just the icing on the cake.” quote by Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg) > “You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do is entertainment, but when you have the chance to provoke thought or advance discussion on a topic, it's just the icing on the cake.” [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Entertainment can also spark thought and discussion, adding depth beyond fun. **In simple terms:** Fun can also provoke thought. Key Takeaway Use entertainment to inspire dialogue. Themes entertainment thought discussion purpose impact Mood inspired thoughtful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - talk shows - podcasts - online videos - educational content Key Concepts media influence social responsibility creative intent Questions to Reflect On - How can you embed meaningful ideas in lighthearted content? - When does entertainment become propaganda? A Different Perspective Balancing humor with seriousness can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Icing on the cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/icing-on-the-cake/) ## Related quotes > [I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-lee/i-used-to-be-embarrassed-because-i-was-just-a-comic-book-writer-while/) [Stan Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-lee/) > [I suppose I have come to realize that entertainment is not easily dismissed. Beyond the meaning (of a work of art), it is important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-lee/i-suppose-i-have-come-to-realize-that-entertainment-is-not-easily/) [Stan Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-lee/) > [What people don't realize is that this is the entertainment business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demarcus-cousins/what-people-don-t-realize-is-that-this-is-the-entertainment-business/) [DeMarcus Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demarcus-cousins/) > [Nine times out of ten, I'm trying to meet someone else's expectations, whether it's the director or the writer or the animator, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-pasdar/nine-times-out-of-ten-i-m-trying-to-meet-someone-else-s-expectations/) [Adrian Pasdar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-pasdar/) > [I got my training here in Chicago at the Goodman School Of Drama, and a lot of my personal work is usually internal work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-rooker/i-got-my-training-here-in-chicago-at-the-goodman-school-of-drama-and/) [Michael Rooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-rooker/) > [Suarez did fit in the style of the team quickly. I think his arrival was practically perfect. And us 3 fit in a fantastic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/suarez-did-fit-in-the-style-of-the-team-quickly-i-think-his-arrival/) [Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/) > [For me the Everest solo was the icing on the cake of my climbs: the highest mountain in the world, during a monsoon, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/for-me-the-everest-solo-was-the-icing-on-the-cake-of-my-climbs-the/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Winning the Diamond League with a personal record, it's like icing on the cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/winning-the-diamond-league-with-a-personal-record-it-s-like-icing-on/) [Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/) > [I would have done anything. I just really love the Duplass brothers. I was at a place where I was desperate for good writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-peet/i-would-have-done-anything-i-just-really-love-the-duplass-brothers-i/) [Amanda Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-peet/) > [Illium, with his wings of silver-kissed blue and a face designed to seduce both males and females, not to mention his ability to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/illium-with-his-wings-of-silver-kissed-blue-and-a-face-designed-to/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [It's just nice to work hard and be rewarded, which is having lots of people watch. And the icing on the cake is for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-meloni/it-s-just-nice-to-work-hard-and-be-rewarded-which-is-having-lots-of/) [Christopher Meloni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-meloni/) > [Every job after the first job I got was icing on the cake. This is so much fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/every-job-after-the-first-job-i-got-was-icing-on-the-cake-this-is-so/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [The true excitement comes from the actors - that gives you the true drama - and whatever I can do with the camera, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-scott/the-true-excitement-comes-from-the-actors-that-gives-you-the-true/) [Tony Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-scott/) > [Chivalry is a poor substitute for justice, if one cannot have both. Chivalry is something like the icing on the cake, sweet but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-l-mcclung/chivalry-is-a-poor-substitute-for-justice-if-one-cannot-have-both/) [Nellie L. McClung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-l-mcclung/) > [My childhood dream was to win the Olympics, and I've done that. Everything else is icing on the cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-vonn/my-childhood-dream-was-to-win-the-olympics-and-i-ve-done-that/) [Lindsey Vonn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-vonn/) ## More by Jimmy Smits > [Growing up in New York, we lived all around the city depending on our economic circumstance. I also lived in Puerto Rico for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/growing-up-in-new-york-we-lived-all-around-the-city-depending-on-our/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I left 'L.A. Law' after five years when my contract was up because I felt I had done all I could do with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-left-l-a-law-after-five-years-when-my-contract-was-up-because-i/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I don't feel I have to acknowledge how I'm doing by an award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-acknowledge-how-i-m-doing-by-an-award/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [People become actors because they want to hide, and it's not easy to talk about myself. I accept that a certain responsibility goes with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/people-become-actors-because-they-want-to-hide-and-it-s-not-easy-to/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [What struck me more than anything is how the people that are involved in government start out from a place of really wanting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/what-struck-me-more-than-anything-is-how-the-people-that-are-involved/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [As an actor, you think to yourself, 'I want to do good work,' but you also want the work that you do to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/as-an-actor-you-think-to-yourself-i-want-to-do-good-work-but-you-also/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I have no tattoos at all - it was a huge undertaking for me in the '80s to let my parents know I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-have-no-tattoos-at-all-it-was-a-huge-undertaking-for-me-in-the-80s/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [It just makes you feel proud, more than anything else, that the work has in some way transcended itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/it-just-makes-you-feel-proud-more-than-anything-else-that-the-work/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [The most obvious thing that comes to mind is the loss of one's privacy. Your life becomes an open book, but I've found ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/the-most-obvious-thing-that-comes-to-mind-is-the-loss-of-one-s/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [Michael C. Hall is an incredibly detailed actor who can convey so much with just an eyebrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/michael-c-hall-is-an-incredibly-detailed-actor-who-can-convey-so-much/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [The Fourth of July concert is invigorating in so many ways, in terms of what it feels like to be an American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/the-fourth-of-july-concert-is-invigorating-in-so-many-ways-in-terms/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [You have to be like a sponge and use what you can and how it relates because TV is fluid. Things change on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/you-have-to-be-like-a-sponge-and-use-what-you-can-and-how-it-relates/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [California has been very good to me in terms of the professional arena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/california-has-been-very-good-to-me-in-terms-of-the-professional-arena/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I save the rage for the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-save-the-rage-for-the-stage/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) > [I almost feel like sometimes when I'm on location, you miss your home and your family and all that stuff, but it keeps you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/i-almost-feel-like-sometimes-when-i-m-on-location-you-miss-your-home/) [Jimmy Smits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) [Explore all 134 Jimmy Smits quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/) ## More Cake quotes > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) Ludwig Erhard > [You can’t bake a cake without getting the kitchen messy. Halfway through surgery it looks like there’s been a murder in the operating room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/price-pritchett/you-can-t-bake-a-cake-without-getting-the-kitchen-messy-halfway/) [Price Pritchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/price-pritchett/) > [Baby I love you like a fat kid loves cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/baby-i-love-you-like-a-fat-kid-loves-cake/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A lot of people are programmed to think, 'Oh, I want to do this, but I also want this.' It's like they want everything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/metro-boomin/a-lot-of-people-are-programmed-to-think-oh-i-want-to-do-this-but-i/) [Metro Boomin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/metro-boomin/) > [Happy Birthday To Me,I just turned twenty three(23),I want a new Puppy, And I'll name it Julie:) Chocolate cake anyone all I have leftover,,,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becka-miller/happy-birthday-to-me-i-just-turned-twenty-three-23-i-want-a-new-puppy/) [Becka Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becka-miller/) > [It's strange because pandan cake isn't hard to make but yet it can only be bought in Singapore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/it-s-strange-because-pandan-cake-isn-t-hard-to-make-but-yet-it-can/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [Let them eat cake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-antoinette/let-them-eat-cake/) [Marie Antoinette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-antoinette/) > [“I bring the leftovers to rehearsal, and Ms. Albright lets us have a cake picnic on the stage. And by cake picnic, I mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-albertalli/i-bring-the-leftovers-to-rehearsal-and-ms-albright-lets-us-have-a/) [Becky Albertalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-albertalli/) > [Your favorite kind of cake can't be birthday cake, that's like saying your favorite kind of cereal is breakfast cereal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aziz-ansari/your-favorite-kind-of-cake-can-t-be-birthday-cake-that-s-like-saying/) [Aziz Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aziz-ansari/) > [“We went for a walk on College Street and popped into Coco's for a snack. There, I revealed my future, much like the exquisitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-rosen/we-went-for-a-walk-on-college-street-and-popped-into-coco-s-for-a/) Amy Rosen > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [Sam loved to listen to music and make his own songs, to wear soft velvets, to play in the castle kitchen beside the cooks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-loved-to-listen-to-music-and-make-his-own-songs-to-wear-soft/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Photographing a cake can be art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-penn/photographing-a-cake-can-be-art/) [Irving Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-penn/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) Browse all 1,341 Cake quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do is entertainment, but when you have the chance to provoke thought or advance discussion on a topic, it's just the icing on the cake.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jimmy Smits" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-realize-that-what-we-do-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cake" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-realize-that-what-we-do-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b27/jimmy-smits-3297_cake_you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-reali_2709612.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can't get so serious as to not realize that what we do is entertainment, but when you have the chance to…” — Jimmy Smits", "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": "Jimmy Smits", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-smits/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can't get so serious as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-realize-that-what-we-do-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-smits/you-can-t-get-so-serious-as-to-not-realize-that-what-we-do-is/#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 } } ] } ```