--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Letterman is very intimidating because…" description: "\"Letterman is very intimidating because he's so funny, so you have to be really prepared. Also, he's a little squeamish about certain things, so you hav..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/norm-macdonald-1825_about_letterman-is-very-intimidating-because-h_2500133.png" --- # Letterman is very intimidating because he's so funny, so… ![“Letterman is very intimidating because he's so funny, so you have to be really prepared. Also, he's a little squeamish about certain things, so you have to always be on guard to please him.” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/norm-macdonald-1825_about_letterman-is-very-intimidating-because-h_2500133.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/norm-macdonald-1825_about_letterman-is-very-intimidating-because-h_2500133.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/norm-macdonald-1825_about_letterman-is-very-intimidating-because-h_2500133.png) > “Letterman is very intimidating because he's so funny, so you have to be really prepared. Also, he's a little squeamish about certain things, so you have to always be on guard to please him.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being on stage with a top comedian requires thorough preparation and vigilance to meet their high standards and sensitivities. **In simple terms:** Prepare well and stay alert when working with demanding talent. Key Takeaway Research, rehearse, and anticipate needs. Themes performance preparation vigilance Mood anxious focused Type advice professional When to use this quote - Live TV - stand‑up shows - guest interviews - high‑stakes events Key Concepts Comedy dynamics professional etiquette Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance preparation with spontaneity? - What signals indicate a performer’s discomfort? A Different Perspective Even with prep, unpredictability can still cause issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Saturday night live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saturday-night-live/) ## Related quotes > [When I was young, I'd watch guys on 'The Tonight Show', Buddy Hackett, guys like that, where all they'd be is funny. Later, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/when-i-was-young-i-d-watch-guys-on-the-tonight-show-buddy-hackett/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The idea that I would ever end up on David Letterman or Jay Leno is horrifying. I am such a freak in comparison to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-leto/the-idea-that-i-would-ever-end-up-on-david-letterman-or-jay-leno-is/) [Jared Leto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-leto/) > ['The David Letterman Show' is a show of comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/the-david-letterman-show-is-a-show-of-comedy/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [I would watch a lot of old tapes of David Letterman doing his talk show and a lot of interviews. I never had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-bones/i-would-watch-a-lot-of-old-tapes-of-david-letterman-doing-his-talk/) [Bobby Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-bones/) > [I don't know about you, but I can never get enough David Letterman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-walters/i-don-t-know-about-you-but-i-can-never-get-enough-david-letterman/) [Barbara Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-walters/) > [Has anyone seen me on Letterman? Two million people watch that show and I don't know where they are. You might have seen this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/has-anyone-seen-me-on-letterman-two-million-people-watch-that-show/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Did you know David Letterman was offered millions of dollars to do a commercial for dog food?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/did-you-know-david-letterman-was-offered-millions-of-dollars-to-do-a/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [In 1980s, I discovered 'Late Night with David Letterman.' It was on one of the 13 cable TV channels. They didn't have 25 late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-green/in-1980s-i-discovered-late-night-with-david-letterman-it-was-on-one/) [Tom Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-green/) > [For those who don't like Dave Letterman, there's Jay Leno; and for those who like neither, there's Craig Ferguson; and if you're still feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shales/for-those-who-don-t-like-dave-letterman-there-s-jay-leno-and-for/) [Tom Shales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shales/) > [David Letterman is the best late-night talk show host right now, hands down, and has been since he first took the desk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lopez/david-letterman-is-the-best-late-night-talk-show-host-right-now-hands/) [George Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lopez/) > [We will try to honor David Letterman achievement by doing the best show we can.And occasionally making the network very mad at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/we-will-try-to-honor-david-letterman-achievement-by-doing-the-best/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I watch Jay. I watch 'Letterman'. I flip back and forth between 'Conan' and 'Letterman', especially the top of the show for those guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-watch-jay-i-watch-letterman-i-flip-back-and-forth-between-conan-and/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I was a huge David Letterman fan, even going back to when he was on NBC. My parents would only let me watch a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-moore/i-was-a-huge-david-letterman-fan-even-going-back-to-when-he-was-on/) [Trevor Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-moore/) > [I think the first time I was on The David Letterman Show, he didn't quite know what to expect. I think people generally are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-reubens/i-think-the-first-time-i-was-on-the-david-letterman-show-he-didn-t/) [Paul Reubens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-reubens/) > [Cookies at both of them. The cookies are probably better at Letterman though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/cookies-at-both-of-them-the-cookies-are-probably-better-at-letterman/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. Jon always makes it funny first. And he's just, he's talking about serious things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-d-say-jon-stewart-has-remained-funny-the-entire-time-jon-always/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/liberty-like-health-appears-most-precious-when-lost/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [In theatres, you're kind of disconnected. Also, it's way too big for the likes of me. Unless you're Robin Williams or someone that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-theatres-you-re-kind-of-disconnected-also-it-s-way-too-big-for-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [So much in L.A. is waiting. It's so irritating. That's what's good about stand-up. You can go away, and you don't have to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/so-much-in-l-a-is-waiting-it-s-so-irritating-that-s-what-s-good-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You ever hear guys with small cocks talk about sex? Can't talk about it enough. They even got poems. They'll say, 'It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/you-ever-hear-guys-with-small-cocks-talk-about-sex-can-t-talk-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/my-dad-died-and-my-grandfather-died-and-my-great-grandfather-died-and/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Louis \[C.K.\] is great. But I don't know how many you could do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/louis-c-k-is-great-but-i-don-t-know-how-many-you-could-do/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I don't have any ego about it, but I find there's not a great work ethic in show business. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-don-t-have-any-ego-about-it-but-i-find-there-s-not-a-great-work/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Many people are skeptical about marriage of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Pressley. They say, Lisa Marie is more of a sit at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/many-people-are-skeptical-about-marriage-of-michael-jackson-and-lisa/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Back in the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now they have to wage a battle. So my Uncle Bert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/back-in-the-old-days-a-man-could-just-get-sick-and-die-now-they-have/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The man that does not fear punishment, little regards crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-man-that-does-not-fear-punishment-little-regards-crime/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) [Explore all 205 Norm MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' 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