--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox…" description: "\"Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox News, when I thought, 'These guys are basically like pranksters, they bring the people in and wind them up.' ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13a/kayvan-novak-10912_debate_years-ago-i-was-watching-a-debate-on-fox_3052394.jpg" --- # Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox News, when I… ![“Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox News, when I thought, 'These guys are basically like pranksters, they bring the people in and wind them up.' I was like, 'That's what I do!'” quote by Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13a/kayvan-novak-10912_debate_years-ago-i-was-watching-a-debate-on-fox_3052394.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13a/kayvan-novak-10912_debate_years-ago-i-was-watching-a-debate-on-fox_3052394.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13a/kayvan-novak-10912_debate_years-ago-i-was-watching-a-debate-on-fox_3052394.jpg) > “Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox News, when I thought, 'These guys are basically like pranksters, they bring the people in and wind them up.' I was like, 'That's what I do!'” [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) ## 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 sees a similarity between political debate tactics and their own style of provoking and entertaining an audience. **In simple terms:** They compare debate to entertaining pranks. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of provocative communication. Themes media politics entertainment provocation strategy Mood critical humorous analytical Type observational advice When to use this quote - political commentary - stand-up comedy - media analysis Key Concepts public discourse performance art Questions to Reflect On - How does humor affect political credibility? - When does provocation become harmful? A Different Perspective Provocation can erode trust if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fox/) [Fox news](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fox-news/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Like Pranksters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-pranksters-5082412/) [News](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/news/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pranksters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pranksters/) [Pranksters Bring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pranksters-bring-5082413/) [Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [I like to watch the Fox News Network. I like 'Nightline.' I like to watch 'The Sopranos,' of course. That is one of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-estrada/i-like-to-watch-the-fox-news-network-i-like-nightline-i-like-to-watch/) [Erik Estrada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-estrada/) > [Prior to working for Fox, I worked for ABC and NBC, spent a lot of time at CNN, and almost ended up at CBS.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-estrich/prior-to-working-for-fox-i-worked-for-abc-and-nbc-spent-a-lot-of-time/) [Susan Estrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-estrich/) > [I happen to think that the Latino audience is an essentially traditional audience and will go to Fox News for traditional American values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ailes/i-happen-to-think-that-the-latino-audience-is-an-essentially/) [Roger Ailes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ailes/) > [A white nationalist would claim that flying the confederate flag on a state building is an expression of cultural history, rather than racial sentiment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/a-white-nationalist-would-claim-that-flying-the-confederate-flag-on-a/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [I feel like some of the news we watch on TV is conspiracy theories. What if Fox News is a conspiracy theory? What if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naughty-boy/i-feel-like-some-of-the-news-we-watch-on-tv-is-conspiracy-theories/) [Naughty Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naughty-boy/) > [I'm afraid of my mother's paranoia. The more she watches Fox News, the more afraid she gets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adsit/i-m-afraid-of-my-mother-s-paranoia-the-more-she-watches-fox-news-the/) [Scott Adsit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adsit/) > [I am the host of 'The Next Revolution' on Fox News.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-hilton/i-am-the-host-of-the-next-revolution-on-fox-news/) [Steve Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-hilton/) > [As a media consultant to Republican presidents, Ailes proved a deft manipulator of racial fear. But it was in building Fox News that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-reid/as-a-media-consultant-to-republican-presidents-ailes-proved-a-deft/) [Joy Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-reid/) > [Shepard Smith has frequently been the lone voice of reason on Fox News.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/shepard-smith-has-frequently-been-the-lone-voice-of-reason-on-fox-news/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [You think that the CNN hosts can aggressively challenge government officials? I don't think so. It doesn't look that way at all. And of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/you-think-that-the-cnn-hosts-can-aggressively-challenge-government/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [Because I have an opinion, I have become public enemy number one to the Fox News Channel and the right wing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/because-i-have-an-opinion-i-have-become-public-enemy-number-one-to/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [The leaders of Fox News will never say this out loud, but they believe that their media empire is bigger than President Trump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stelter/the-leaders-of-fox-news-will-never-say-this-out-loud-but-they-believe/) [Brian Stelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stelter/) > [There are a lot of folks at Fox News who bring a certain level of sophistication to their understanding of politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shuster/there-are-a-lot-of-folks-at-fox-news-who-bring-a-certain-level-of/) [David Shuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shuster/) > [From breaking down the latest headlines on 'FOX News @ Night' to explaining the complexities of the law, I have had the opportunity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-bream/from-breaking-down-the-latest-headlines-on-fox-news-night-to/) [Shannon Bream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-bream/) > [If you only watched Fox News, you might think hydroxychloroquine is to coronavirus what Tylenol is to a headache, or that gathering in large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-keilar/if-you-only-watched-fox-news-you-might-think-hydroxychloroquine-is-to/) [Brianna Keilar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-keilar/) ## More by Kayvan Novak > [As an ethnic actor, I still feel I can't be in 'Downton Abbey' or in period dramas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/as-an-ethnic-actor-i-still-feel-i-can-t-be-in-downton-abbey-or-in/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I miss watching TV and thinking they were all real. I used to feel like that about 'Neighbours.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-miss-watching-tv-and-thinking-they-were-all-real-i-used-to-feel/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I met the Gallagher brothers, and Noel was quoting my 'Fonejacker' catchphrases. Hearing your heroes quote you is incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-met-the-gallagher-brothers-and-noel-was-quoting-my-fonejacker/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [Character building is one of my favourite things to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/character-building-is-one-of-my-favourite-things-to-do/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [When I wind someone up, it's never to make them feel angry or aggressive; that doesn't make good telly. It's about uncovering a layer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/when-i-wind-someone-up-it-s-never-to-make-them-feel-angry-or/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [Stanley Tucci is a classy actor, and Ian Holm is very short but equally classy - and both are also amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/stanley-tucci-is-a-classy-actor-and-ian-holm-is-very-short-but/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I want to be James Bond! I don't want to be Doctor Who.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-want-to-be-james-bond-i-don-t-want-to-be-doctor-who/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [Why did Barry Humphries play Dame Edna for so many years? Why is Steve Coogan still doing Alan Partridge? Because there are just one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/why-did-barry-humphries-play-dame-edna-for-so-many-years-why-is-steve/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I would very much like to direct, star, perform, and just be a general auteur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-would-very-much-like-to-direct-star-perform-and-just-be-a-general/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [The second series of 'Fonejacker' almost killed me. It was incredibly intense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/the-second-series-of-fonejacker-almost-killed-me-it-was-incredibly/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I'm Iranian, which means I feel that I have more right to take off other races and religions, being an 'ethnic' myself. But it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-m-iranian-which-means-i-feel-that-i-have-more-right-to-take-off/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [Doing a series of 'Facejacker' takes about nine months. It's pretty intense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/doing-a-series-of-facejacker-takes-about-nine-months-it-s-pretty/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [When I was 18 years old, I had a Saturday job working in a clothing store on London's Bond Street. I would fold T-shirts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/when-i-was-18-years-old-i-had-a-saturday-job-working-in-a-clothing/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [I had to fool the world into accepting me. I didn't seem to fit the mould of my idols.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/i-had-to-fool-the-world-into-accepting-me-i-didn-t-seem-to-fit-the/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) > [There's a really geeky YouTube channel which I love. It's a guy called Oliver Harper. He makes documentaries about films. He's a real movie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayvan-novak/there-s-a-really-geeky-youtube-channel-which-i-love-it-s-a-guy-called/) [Kayvan Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) [Explore all 62 Kayvan Novak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayvan-novak/) ## More Debate quotes > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [One of the undervalued contributors to Trump's stunning 2016 victory was the masterful performance Pence had in his debate against Hillary Clinton running mate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-hemingway/one-of-the-undervalued-contributors-to-trump-s-stunning-2016-victory/) [Mollie Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-hemingway/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [The Patriot Act is certainly a concern; all of those things are dangerous. I think more important than me preaching is that we as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/the-patriot-act-is-certainly-a-concern-all-of-those-things-are/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. 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He used… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/james-madison-pointed-out-in-the-discussion-of-the-constitutional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) [Browse all 2,322 Debate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Years ago, I was watching a debate on Fox News, when I thought, 'These guys are basically like pranksters, they bring the people in and wind them up.' 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