--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Comics were always the lowest rung on the…" description: "\"Comics were always the lowest rung on the ladder, front of cloth at the Royal Variety Performance. What that means is you're only there so Take That ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/lee-mack-7146_always_comics-were-always-the-lowest-rung-on-th_2310669.jpg" --- # Comics were always the lowest rung on the ladder, front of… ![“Comics were always the lowest rung on the ladder, front of cloth at the Royal Variety Performance. What that means is you're only there so Take That can set up behind the curtains.” quote by Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/lee-mack-7146_always_comics-were-always-the-lowest-rung-on-th_2310669.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/lee-mack-7146_always_comics-were-always-the-lowest-rung-on-th_2310669.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/lee-mack-7146_always_comics-were-always-the-lowest-rung-on-th_2310669.jpg) > “Comics were always the lowest rung on the ladder, front of cloth at the Royal Variety Performance. What that means is you're only there so Take That can set up behind the curtains.” [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comics are low‑status performers, only there to support main acts. **In simple terms:** Comedians are seen as background. Key Takeaway Value every role on stage. Themes humor status performance hierarchy Mood witty critical Type observational motivational When to use this quote - career progression - self‑worth - audience perception Key Concepts social hierarchy entertainment industry Questions to Reflect On - How can you elevate a seemingly minor role? - What does true recognition look like? A Different Perspective Low status can limit opportunities and self‑esteem. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comics/) [Ladder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ladder/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) ## Related quotes > [I could go through a lot of my old emails from when I first started doing comics. Back then the lowest age of fans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhonen-vasquez/i-could-go-through-a-lot-of-my-old-emails-from-when-i-first-started/) [Jhonen Vasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhonen-vasquez/) > [I've always had this in some ways pessimistic and in some ways realistic idea that I'm the lowest rung on the ladder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil-abloh/i-ve-always-had-this-in-some-ways-pessimistic-and-in-some-ways/) [Virgil Abloh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil-abloh/) > [There are a lot of people on the lowest rung of Jacob's Ladder, and we must somehow reach down, give them a hand, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-brubeck/there-are-a-lot-of-people-on-the-lowest-rung-of-jacob-s-ladder-and-we/) [Dave Brubeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-brubeck/) > [At some point, all comics have to go out and be retail salesmen doing door-to-door. And this idea of somebody who totally knows their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/at-some-point-all-comics-have-to-go-out-and-be-retail-salesmen-doing/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [One thing I would like to see is a stronger ladder series for up-and-coming American drivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-andretti/one-thing-i-would-like-to-see-is-a-stronger-ladder-series-for-up-and/) [Michael Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-andretti/) > [For to keep at the top is harder almost than to get there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gibbons/for-to-keep-at-the-top-is-harder-almost-than-to-get-there/) [James Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gibbons/) > [“I got waylaid by another of your throng of supporters and well-wishers so you only have yourself to blame.” “So I heard,” he said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/i-got-waylaid-by-another-of-your-throng-of-supporters-and-well/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [The only way you can stay on top is to remember to touch bottom and get back to basics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-black/the-only-way-you-can-stay-on-top-is-to-remember-to-touch-bottom-and/) [Shane Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-black/) > [I'm a little bit superstitious, and I think that just comes from playing hockey. I won't avoid the number thirteen. A big one for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-badge-dale/i-m-a-little-bit-superstitious-and-i-think-that-just-comes-from/) [James Badge Dale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-badge-dale/) > [In order for us to reach success, we must first find, the ladder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hensel/in-order-for-us-to-reach-success-we-must-first-find-the-ladder/) [Robert M. Hensel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hensel/) > [You cannot get to the top by sitting on your bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-get-to-the-top-by-sitting-on-your-bottom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put plainly, China seems determined to steal its way up the economic ladder, at our expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-a-wray/put-plainly-china-seems-determined-to-steal-its-way-up-the-economic/) [Christopher A. Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-a-wray/) > [Normally, it's more efficient to climb fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ondra/normally-it-s-more-efficient-to-climb-fast/) [Adam Ondra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ondra/) > [The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-girard/the-elevator-to-success-is-out-of-order-you-ll-have-to-use-the-stairs/) [Joe Girard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-girard/) > [It's sort of the American way to go up and down the ladder, maybe several times in a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/it-s-sort-of-the-american-way-to-go-up-and-down-the-ladder-maybe/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) ## More by Lee Mack > [We're all basically decent human beings so if 3,000 people are laughing at a joke then it's worth telling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/we-re-all-basically-decent-human-beings-so-if-3-000-people-are/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [I used to tell people I was a comic and they'd be fascinated. Now all you get is: 'Oh yeah, my cousin Steve's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/i-used-to-tell-people-i-was-a-comic-and-they-d-be-fascinated-now-all/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [If I am old-fashioned, it's not a conscious decision. I just do material that I think is funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/if-i-am-old-fashioned-it-s-not-a-conscious-decision-i-just-do/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [I have to say I like Edinburgh, but I'm not a big fan of the Festival - I like it but I'm not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/i-have-to-say-i-like-edinburgh-but-i-m-not-a-big-fan-of-the-festival/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [My great-grandfather was a variety hall comedian called Billy Mack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/my-great-grandfather-was-a-variety-hall-comedian-called-billy-mack/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [Genuinely my big thing and the reason I'm in 'The Miser' is because I always ask myself one simple question when I'm offered anything:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/genuinely-my-big-thing-and-the-reason-i-m-in-the-miser-is-because-i/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [The best comedy you can ever have is when you're in the pub with your mates. You can never beat that. That's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/the-best-comedy-you-can-ever-have-is-when-you-re-in-the-pub-with-your/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [I've realised that my strength is writing around people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/i-ve-realised-that-my-strength-is-writing-around-people/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [In TV, you get driven to work in a luxury car, and find flowers in your dressing room. Then suddenly you're on tour, drying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/in-tv-you-get-driven-to-work-in-a-luxury-car-and-find-flowers-in-your/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [If I was reading a book about a comedian, I wouldn't really care too much about their childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/if-i-was-reading-a-book-about-a-comedian-i-wouldn-t-really-care-too/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [I suppose if your parents die in their 50s and you are approaching 50, you see that you are definitely not in the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/i-suppose-if-your-parents-die-in-their-50s-and-you-are-approaching-50/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [From the age of 14, I remember thinking I wanted to be a comedian. But that was like saying I wanted to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/from-the-age-of-14-i-remember-thinking-i-wanted-to-be-a-comedian-but/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [Going on stage is a performance, it's an act; you're playing a version of yourself. I don't give it a lot of thought. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/going-on-stage-is-a-performance-it-s-an-act-you-re-playing-a-version/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [I would say about 90 per cent of drunken idiots in comedy clubs wear ties, particularly in London where I work most of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/i-would-say-about-90-per-cent-of-drunken-idiots-in-comedy-clubs-wear/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) > [There are probably about 50 comedians who would come to my 50th birthday party but I'm not sure how many of them would come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/there-are-probably-about-50-comedians-who-would-come-to-my-50th/) [Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) [Explore all 94 Lee Mack quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Comics were always the lowest rung on the ladder, front of cloth at the Royal Variety Performance. 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