--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you…" description: "\"I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a terrible show, and then afterward, sometimes people say they really liked it. So turning on the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/john-mulaney-7291_crowds_i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you_976204.jpg" --- # I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a… ![“I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a terrible show, and then afterward, sometimes people say they really liked it. So turning on the crowd is only going to alienate the few people who might like it.” quote by John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/john-mulaney-7291_crowds_i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you_976204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/john-mulaney-7291_crowds_i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you_976204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a77/john-mulaney-7291_crowds_i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you_976204.jpg) > “I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a terrible show, and then afterward, sometimes people say they really liked it. So turning on the crowd is only going to alienate the few people who might like it.” [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding audience feedback can protect creative integrity but may also isolate the performer from valuable perspective. **In simple terms:** Ignoring crowd reactions can keep authenticity but risks missing useful feedback. Key Takeaway Weigh audience input against personal vision. Themes comedy creativity feedback authenticity performance Mood humorous reflective self‑aware Type entertainment creative personal When to use this quote - live shows - writing sessions - social media engagement Key Concepts audience dynamics creative risk self‑censorship Questions to Reflect On - When is it wise to listen to critics? - How does audience reaction shape artistic growth? A Different Perspective Alienating a few may limit broader appeal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowd/) [Crowd Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowd-going-306753/) [Crowd Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowd-think-481519/) [Crowds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowds/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Turn Crowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turn-crowd-831808/) [Turn on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turn-on/) [Turning Crowd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turning-crowd-831809/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) ## Related quotes > [I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a terrible show, and then afterward, sometimes people say they really liked it. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you-think-it-s-a-terrible-show/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [The main problem in any democracy is that crowd-pleasers are generally brainless swine who can go out on a stage & whup their supporters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-main-problem-in-any-democracy-is-that-crowd-pleasers-are-2/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Every time I get in front of an audience, I do the best I can. I really don't look at it like, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-perry/every-time-i-get-in-front-of-an-audience-i-do-the-best-i-can-i-really/) [Joe Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-perry/) > [If you're going to have an exchange of ideas, the only thing you can do is to meet people face-to-face in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-schultz/if-you-re-going-to-have-an-exchange-of-ideas-the-only-thing-you-can/) [Ed Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-schultz/) > [“Trial and error” is not bad, but not the best. If you don’t know where the crowd is going, don’t follow it. Get set.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/trial-and-error-is-not-bad-but-not-the-best-if-you-don-t-know-where/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“To lead the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/to-lead-the-orchestra-you-have-to-turn-your-back-on-the-crowd/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [If the crowd wasn't there you'd lose that wee bit of nervousness walking out. Just as you get ready to walk out, you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-taylor/if-the-crowd-wasn-t-there-you-d-lose-that-wee-bit-of-nervousness/) [Josh Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-taylor/) > [The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-contrarian-thing-of-all-is-not-to-oppose-the-crowd-but-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wouldn't mind a spotlight also focused on the crowd, because, I think, one of the things that made the Olympic Games for Great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-hodgson/i-wouldn-t-mind-a-spotlight-also-focused-on-the-crowd-because-i-think/) [Roy Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-hodgson/) > [The crowd think that Todd handled the ball...they must have seen something that nobody else did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-davies/the-crowd-think-that-todd-handled-the-ball-they-must-have-seen/) [Barry Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-davies/) > [I'm not always the best at picking out what goes together. I always want to be presentable, but more than that, I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tebow/i-m-not-always-the-best-at-picking-out-what-goes-together-i-always/) [Tim Tebow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tebow/) > [It's better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-better-to-walk-alone-than-with-a-crowd-going-in-the-wrong/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When the crowd is going south, your inner mind might tell you that your goal lies to the north. Then go the unpopular way;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oluwole-komolafe/when-the-crowd-is-going-south-your-inner-mind-might-tell-you-that/) [Oluwole Komolafe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oluwole-komolafe/) > [You don't know what a rough crowd is. If all I have to do is go make people laugh, that's nothing. Let me tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kinison/you-don-t-know-what-a-rough-crowd-is-if-all-i-have-to-do-is-go-make/) [Sam Kinison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kinison/) > [We've done shows - we'll be in Dublin, and it will be nonstop pandemonium to the point where you think the crowd is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/we-ve-done-shows-we-ll-be-in-dublin-and-it-will-be-nonstop/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) ## More by John Mulaney > [I don't know if there's a strategy really so much as, like I learned doing standup and had to learn fast, you always just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/i-don-t-know-if-there-s-a-strategy-really-so-much-as-like-i-learned/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [I never turn on the crowd. Sometimes, you think it's a terrible show, and then afterward, sometimes people say they really liked it. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/i-never-turn-on-the-crowd-sometimes-you-think-it-s-a-terrible-show/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [If I was at the Comedy Cellar at midnight you yelled at the back of the room. But you, for television, play it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/if-i-was-at-the-comedy-cellar-at-midnight-you-yelled-at-the-back-of/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [Ill book a ticket on some garbage airline. I dont wanna name an actual airline so lets make one up, lets just call it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/ill-book-a-ticket-on-some-garbage-airline-i-dont-wanna-name-an-actual/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [You can't always see both sides of the story. Eventually, you have to pick a side and stick with it. No more equivocating. 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I really like one-liners, I like a lot of different kinds of standup but I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/i-do-longer-runs-on-things-a-lot-stories-i-really-like-one-liners-i/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [I look back on being 17 and think, 'Oh my God, how did I not die?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/i-look-back-on-being-17-and-think-oh-my-god-how-did-i-not-die/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [ If you’re comparing the badness of two words and you won’t even say one of them \[the n-word\], that’s the worse word. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/if-you-re-comparing-the-badness-of-two-words-and-you-won-t-even-say/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [In every case, I find pre-planning noble, but not always that useful in comedy. You know comedy once you're doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/in-every-case-i-find-pre-planning-noble-but-not-always-that-useful-in/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [Most open-mic experiences I had were okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/most-open-mic-experiences-i-had-were-okay/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) [Explore all 92 John Mulaney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) ## More Crowd quotes > [“Every select man strives instinctively for a citadel and a privacy, where he is FREE from the crowd, the many, the majority-- where he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-select-man-strives-instinctively-for-a-citadel-and-a-privacy/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [I guess because we're essentially a two-man band, we're attracting Wham's crowd. But Wham! are more of a businessman's band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-smith/i-guess-because-we-re-essentially-a-two-man-band-we-re-attracting/) [Curt Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-smith/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Chicago, to me, is the best wrestling crowd on the planet. They are the best. They are loud, they are ruthless, and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldust/chicago-to-me-is-the-best-wrestling-crowd-on-the-planet-they-are-the/) [Goldust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldust/) > [I always tried to be different from everyone else. Then I found out about boxing. That was the way I could be different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riddick-bowe/i-always-tried-to-be-different-from-everyone-else-then-i-found-out/) [Riddick Bowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riddick-bowe/) > [It's fun, and a laugh for you... you can boo me and feel happy about yourself because you're part of the crowd that did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-goodes/it-s-fun-and-a-laugh-for-you-you-can-boo-me-and-feel-happy-about/) [Adam Goodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-goodes/) > [Yeah, we might have a video on 'TRL,' but when you go to the Warped Tour you're going to see us walking around in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-gilbert/yeah-we-might-have-a-video-on-trl-but-when-you-go-to-the-warped-tour/) [Chad Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-gilbert/) > [You can have the best production, the best stage in the world, but without a crowd, the festival is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hardwell/you-can-have-the-best-production-the-best-stage-in-the-world-but/) [Hardwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hardwell/) > [“On Broadway it was still bright afternoon and the gassy air was almost motionless under the leaden spokes of sunlight, and sawdust footprints lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/on-broadway-it-was-still-bright-afternoon-and-the-gassy-air-was/) [Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/) > [“The crowd wants a hero,not just someone cutting up meat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dewey-gram/the-crowd-wants-a-hero-not-just-someone-cutting-up-meat/) [Dewey Gram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dewey-gram/) > [The crowd, especially at Anfield, want us to win so much that it transmits itself down on to the pitch at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/the-crowd-especially-at-anfield-want-us-to-win-so-much-that-it/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I like playing with a good crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergio-garcia/i-like-playing-with-a-good-crowd/) [Sergio Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergio-garcia/) > [I was DJing for this party promotion called 1st Flight Entertainment, having to DJ on the weekends and then also going to school in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tay-keith/i-was-djing-for-this-party-promotion-called-1st-flight-entertainment/) [Tay Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tay-keith/) [Browse all 1,548 Crowd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crowd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never turn on the crowd. 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