--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Entertainment is like any other major…" description: "\"Entertainment is like any other major industry; it's cold, big business. The business end wants to know one thing: Can you do the job? If you can, you'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/johnny-carson-2644_big-business_entertainment-is-like-any-other-major-in_2576648.jpg" --- # Entertainment is like any other major industry; it's cold… ![“Entertainment is like any other major industry; it's cold, big business. The business end wants to know one thing: Can you do the job? If you can, you're in, you're made; if you can't, you're out.” quote by Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/johnny-carson-2644_big-business_entertainment-is-like-any-other-major-in_2576648.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/johnny-carson-2644_big-business_entertainment-is-like-any-other-major-in_2576648.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/johnny-carson-2644_big-business_entertainment-is-like-any-other-major-in_2576648.jpg) > “Entertainment is like any other major industry; it's cold, big business. The business end wants to know one thing: Can you do the job? If you can, you're in, you're made; if you can't, you're out.” [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Entertainment is a cold business demanding competence; success is binary based on ability **In simple terms:** Industry judges solely on performance ability Key Takeaway Focus on skill mastery to succeed Themes entertainment business performance standards Mood pragmatic realistic Type observational industry When to use this quote - auditions - career planning - industry networking Key Concepts media economics talent evaluation Questions to Reflect On - How to sustain a career beyond initial success? - What non‑skill factors matter? A Different Perspective Talent alone may not guarantee longevity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-business/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) ## Related quotes > [It's a very hard industry, and it's very cold. It's loving for when you have a hit record, but when you don't have anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-rexha/it-s-a-very-hard-industry-and-it-s-very-cold-it-s-loving-for-when-you/) [Bebe Rexha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-rexha/) > [No matter how big you are in the business, at the end of the day it's still work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-grace-moretz/no-matter-how-big-you-are-in-the-business-at-the-end-of-the-day-it-s/) [Chloe Grace Moretz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-grace-moretz/) > [Here's the thing about me: I have a job to do and I do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murdoch/here-s-the-thing-about-me-i-have-a-job-to-do-and-i-do-it/) [James Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murdoch/) > [Press conferences aren't the best thing to do, but it's part of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-dos-anjos/press-conferences-aren-t-the-best-thing-to-do-but-it-s-part-of-the-job/) [Rafael dos Anjos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-dos-anjos/) > [It's funny, I talk to some of my friends and they don't want to to get a job at Starbucks. They don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/it-s-funny-i-talk-to-some-of-my-friends-and-they-don-t-want-to-to-get/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [Anybody can say she's an actress. It's another thing to get a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-locklear/anybody-can-say-she-s-an-actress-it-s-another-thing-to-get-a-job/) [Heather Locklear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-locklear/) > [Tennis is my thing, it's my job, it's my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pegula/tennis-is-my-thing-it-s-my-job-it-s-my-career/) [Jessica Pegula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pegula/) > [That's the nice thing about this job. You get to quote yourself shamelessly. If you don't, Larry Speakes will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/that-s-the-nice-thing-about-this-job-you-get-to-quote-yourself/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The best thing about my job is meeting people who are able to express their creativity in a way that suits them and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-brewer/the-best-thing-about-my-job-is-meeting-people-who-are-able-to-express/) [Madeline Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-brewer/) > [It's a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn't pay very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-kennedy/it-s-a-good-thing-i-have-another-job-because-the-ufc-doesn-t-pay-very/) [Tim Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-kennedy/) > [I only wear the latest thing. It's my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-lagerfeld/i-only-wear-the-latest-thing-it-s-my-job/) [Karl Lagerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-lagerfeld/) > [I hate being pigeon-holed into anything. To me, the best thing is when the next job comes and is completely different to the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-otto/i-hate-being-pigeon-holed-into-anything-to-me-the-best-thing-is-when/) [Miranda Otto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-otto/) > [Don't shy away from producing your own film and being in charge of its business end as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afia-nathaniel/don-t-shy-away-from-producing-your-own-film-and-being-in-charge-of/) Afia Nathaniel > [You're running a business, and at the end of the day, if you're running a business, you've got to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-drake/you-re-running-a-business-and-at-the-end-of-the-day-if-you-re-running/) [Eli Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-drake/) > [I've been spared to a large extent the business end of the race stick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-ve-been-spared-to-a-large-extent-the-business-end-of-the-race-stick/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) ## More by Johnny Carson > [It's silly to have as one's sole object in life just making money, accumulating wealth. I work because I enjoy what I'm doing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/it-s-silly-to-have-as-one-s-sole-object-in-life-just-making-money/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [The only issue cash presents you is the independence of not stressing about funds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-only-issue-cash-presents-you-is-the-independence-of-not-stressing/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [ I can empathize with President \[George Bush\]. I know what it feels like having a young guy waiting around for you to keel over. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-can-empathize-with-president-george-bush-i-know-what-it-feels-like/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [From the time I was a little kid, I was always shy. Performing was when I was outgoing. So I guess I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/from-the-time-i-was-a-little-kid-i-was-always-shy-performing-was-when/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [ I'm often asked, "What is your favorite moment during the 30 years you hosted \[The Tonight Show\]?" I really don't have just one. The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-m-often-asked-what-is-your-favorite-moment-during-the-30-years-you/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [For days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but-phone/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Money gives me just one big thing that's really important, and that's the freedom of not having to worry about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/money-gives-me-just-one-big-thing-that-s-really-important-and-that-s/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [In Hollywood if you don't have a shrink, people think you're crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/in-hollywood-if-you-don-t-have-a-shrink-people-think-you-re-crazy/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Ronald Reagan just signed the new tax law. But I think he was in Hollywood too long. He signed it, 'Best wishes, Ronald Reagan.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/ronald-reagan-just-signed-the-new-tax-law-but-i-think-he-was-in/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [The good news is that the president gets another chance. The bad news is that he'll be two weeks older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/the-good-news-is-that-the-president-gets-another-chance-the-bad-news/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/anytime-four-new-yorkers-get-into-a-cab-together-without-arguing-a/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [For three days after death, hair and fingernails continue to grow but phone calls taper off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/for-three-days-after-death-hair-and-fingernails-continue-to-grow-but/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Democracy means free television, not good television, but free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/democracy-means-free-television-not-good-television-but-free/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/i-know-a-man-who-gave-up-smoking-drinking-sex-and-rich-food-he-was/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Never ask your wife if she still hears from her old pimp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/never-ask-your-wife-if-she-still-hears-from-her-old-pimp/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) [Explore all 156 Johnny Carson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) ## More Big business quotes > [In politics we face the choice between warmongering, nation-state loving, big-business agents on one hand; and risk-blind, top-down, epistemic arrogant big servants of large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/in-politics-we-face-the-choice-between-warmongering-nation-state/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [The typical American citizen is the business man. The typical business man is a bad citizen; he is busy. If he is a 'big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-steffens/the-typical-american-citizen-is-the-business-man-the-typical-business/) [Lincoln Steffens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-steffens/) > [The American influence is not so aggressive anymore. The American big business influence in Latin America is not as strong, so people can vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/costa-gavras/the-american-influence-is-not-so-aggressive-anymore-the-american-big/) [Costa-Gavras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/costa-gavras/) > [Prosperity may be found in small as in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-l-peretz/prosperity-may-be-found-in-small-as-in-big-business/) [I. L. Peretz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/i-l-peretz/) > [Big Business and State Socialism are very much alike, especially Big Business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/big-business-and-state-socialism-are-very-much-alike-especially-big/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sports has become such a big business that the line between journalism and being a broadcast partner for all intents and purposes has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-zirin/sports-has-become-such-a-big-business-that-the-line-between/) [Dave Zirin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-zirin/) > [The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves have become so deeply involved in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-simple-opposition-between-the-people-and-big-business-has/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A big business man was telling Henry Ford about a coach driver of super-expertness with his whip. The driver was telling how he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/a-big-business-man-was-telling-henry-ford-about-a-coach-driver-of/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [Socialism is a society where the resources are used democratically to provide a better life for all, based on ending the dictatorship of big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kshama-sawant/socialism-is-a-society-where-the-resources-are-used-democratically-to/) [Kshama Sawant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kshama-sawant/) > [Maybe we should be directing our anger elsewhere - like toward Wall Street. Why is it we never think of Big Business when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/maybe-we-should-be-directing-our-anger-elsewhere-like-toward-wall/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [As long as there are big corporations, there will be big unions. The economic power of big business will be matched by the economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-chase-smith/as-long-as-there-are-big-corporations-there-will-be-big-unions-the/) [Margaret Chase Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-chase-smith/) > [I have found, whether you have a tiny business or a big business, if you don't jump on something right away, it's like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-corcoran/i-have-found-whether-you-have-a-tiny-business-or-a-big-business-if/) [Barbara Corcoran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-corcoran/) > [Sickness is BIG Business,and we are left in the Middle of the Sea with NO Life Preserver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joeybaggs/sickness-is-big-business-and-we-are-left-in-the-middle-of-the-sea/) Joeybaggs > [No government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force in our society, in fact, big business - doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/no-government-is-here-forever-and-there-are-other-forces-the-most/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [If you're going to be thinking anyway, think big!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/if-you-re-going-to-be-thinking-anyway-think-big/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) [Browse all 356 Big business quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-business/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Entertainment is like any other major industry; it's cold, big business. The business end wants to know one thing: Can you do the job? 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