---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When youre on telly, youre defined by…"
description: "\"When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.\" — Paul Sinha"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg"
---

#  When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.

![“When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.” quote by Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg)

> “When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.”

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Public identity is shaped by one's televised actions, implying media defines perception.

**In simple terms:** Being on TV defines you by what you do there.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate authentic actions beyond media exposure.

Themes

media identity public perception

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- political campaigns
- celebrity interviews
- social media presence
- public speaking

Key Concepts

branding visibility reputation

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain self-identity off-camera?
- What actions define you beyond the screen?

A Different Perspective

Media exposure can be fleeting and misleading.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/)

## Related quotes

> [Most people I was at school with, if they saw me on telly, wouldn't know I'd been at school with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-widdicombe/most-people-i-was-at-school-with-if-they-saw-me-on-telly-wouldn-t/)

[Josh Widdicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-widdicombe/)

> [I get a lot of letters from people saying, 'How do I get into radio, how do I get into telly?' and I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/i-get-a-lot-of-letters-from-people-saying-how-do-i-get-into-radio-how/)

[Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/)

> [I feel that shows like 'Ted' and 'The IT Crowd' are very much more enjoyable watching with friends around a telly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-linehan/i-feel-that-shows-like-ted-and-the-it-crowd-are-very-much-more/)

[Graham Linehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-linehan/)

> [I hate the idea that I have to represent any particular section of society; I just write good telly, that's all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-t-davies/i-hate-the-idea-that-i-have-to-represent-any-particular-section-of/)

[Russell T Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-t-davies/)

> [It definitely puts a strain on family life - I miss them like mad. Being a working mother I've been juggling house and career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-jameson/it-definitely-puts-a-strain-on-family-life-i-miss-them-like-mad-being/)

[Louise Jameson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-jameson/)

> [I haven't really got much get up and go. I can't believe I'm on the telly. I'm so lazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-haven-t-really-got-much-get-up-and-go-i-can-t-believe-i-m-on-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I watch Pretty Little Liars with my best friend Telly. We go to each other's houses when it airs and we watch it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naya-rivera/i-watch-pretty-little-liars-with-my-best-friend-telly-we-go-to-each/)

[Naya Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naya-rivera/)

> [I don't want a chat show or to be on telly every day, as that's not my business; my business is standing in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcintyre/i-don-t-want-a-chat-show-or-to-be-on-telly-every-day-as-that-s-not-my/)

[Michael McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcintyre/)

> [I don't think I look like I do on the telly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-rundle/i-don-t-think-i-look-like-i-do-on-the-telly/)

[Sophie Rundle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-rundle/)

> [I did four or five years in telly, and by the end of it was drained. I was a bit sick of myself. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-macfadyen/i-did-four-or-five-years-in-telly-and-by-the-end-of-it-was-drained-i/)

[Matthew Macfadyen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-macfadyen/)

> [For me, a bit of anthropology in the evening is always better than staying and watching the telly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-rhodes/for-me-a-bit-of-anthropology-in-the-evening-is-always-better-than/)

[Nick Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-rhodes/)

> [I constantly think I'll be found out any second. Some of the crazy stuff that goes through your head. Once you've moved on from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-marsay/i-constantly-think-i-ll-be-found-out-any-second-some-of-the-crazy/)

[Faye Marsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-marsay/)

> [I don't want people turning on the telly and going, 'Dear God, not him again.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-schofield/i-don-t-want-people-turning-on-the-telly-and-going-dear-god-not-him/)

[Phillip Schofield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-schofield/)

> [I want to be involved in things I can be really proud of. There's a lot of bad films being made and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisling-loftus/i-want-to-be-involved-in-things-i-can-be-really-proud-of-there-s-a/)

[Aisling Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisling-loftus/)

> [I just wanted to get on telly. I wasn't a massive Oasis fan, but I had to be in order to get on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-doherty/i-just-wanted-to-get-on-telly-i-wasn-t-a-massive-oasis-fan-but-i-had/)

[Pete Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-doherty/)

## More by Paul Sinha

> [I get recognised by complete strangers in pubs, misrecognised by them and I dont have to work every weekend of my life anymore which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-get-recognised-by-complete-strangers-in-pubs-misrecognised-by-them/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [If youve bought a ticket to see me perform, youre heroes in my book. Youre better than the people who didnt buy tickets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/if-youve-bought-a-ticket-to-see-me-perform-youre-heroes-in-my-book/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [The exit from medicine happened steadily, rather than suddenly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/the-exit-from-medicine-happened-steadily-rather-than-suddenly/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [No other show was as absurd as 'Crackerjack'. It had Stu Francis, who was the first person I saw on TV telling jokes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/no-other-show-was-as-absurd-as-crackerjack-it-had-stu-francis-who-was/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [I quiz all year. 'The Chase' is just a medium sized part of my quiz life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-quiz-all-year-the-chase-is-just-a-medium-sized-part-of-my-quiz-life/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [Ive been given work opportunities that many people would kill for quite frankly so you have to look at life in that perspective and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/ive-been-given-work-opportunities-that-many-people-would-kill-for/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [Im aware that sometimes if youre trying to be somebody else, you end up saying words that just dont sound like your voice. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/im-aware-that-sometimes-if-youre-trying-to-be-somebody-else-you-end/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [Ive got Parkinsons disease, I am always going to have Parkinsons disease unless they find a miracle cure, Ive got to deal with this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/ive-got-parkinsons-disease-i-am-always-going-to-have-parkinsons/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [I have never successfully made an omelette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-have-never-successfully-made-an-omelette/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [I do know that when I stop answering questions at speed, 'The Chase' wont fire me, Ill say, Its been a lovely journey, youve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-do-know-that-when-i-stop-answering-questions-at-speed-the-chase/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [Mark Labbett, maths genius as he undoubtedly is, has every statistic imaginable. There is a reason for that. All the stats make him look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/mark-labbett-maths-genius-as-he-undoubtedly-is-has-every-statistic/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [I get football facts thrown at me by taxi drivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-get-football-facts-thrown-at-me-by-taxi-drivers/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [I was limping through the streets of Auckland. I had a fall at three in the morning. I knew in my heart of hearts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/i-was-limping-through-the-streets-of-auckland-i-had-a-fall-at-three/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [The 'Red Hand Gang' was a special favourite of mine. It was an American show about a bunch of kids who solved crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/the-red-hand-gang-was-a-special-favourite-of-mine-it-was-an-american/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

> [Whenever I am tempted to get stressed out about the spotlight, I remind myself that one day I will be long forgotten, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/whenever-i-am-tempted-to-get-stressed-out-about-the-spotlight-i/)

[Paul Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

[Explore all 22 Paul Sinha quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/)

## More Defined quotes

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/jazz-is-not-something-that-can-be-defined-through-blunt-instruments/)

[Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/)

> [Among the many factors that make a return to halcyon days of the first decades of the postwar era virtually impossible is the decline…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-gilpin/among-the-many-factors-that-make-a-return-to-halcyon-days-of-the/)

[Robert Gilpin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-gilpin/)

> [One of the noblest words in our language is "grace," defined as "unearned blessing." We live by grace far more than by anything else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-elton-trueblood/one-of-the-noblest-words-in-our-language-is-grace-defined-as-unearned/)

[D. Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/)

> [If it comes to a question of law, the charges they brought against me - the Espionage Act - is called the quintessential political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-it-comes-to-a-question-of-law-the-charges-they-brought-against-me/)

[Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/)

> [ The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a \[person\] postulates as being a greater totality than \[oneself\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-the-psychic-totality-of-the/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

> [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [Marriage and the creation of families has been an integral part of our society since its creation; it should not be defined without the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-foster-bennett/marriage-and-the-creation-of-families-has-been-an-integral-part-of/)

[Robert Foster Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-foster-bennett/)

> [Before it can be solved, a problem must be clearly defined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/before-it-can-be-solved-a-problem-must-be-clearly-defined/)

[William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/)

> [My life had been defined by the apartheid years. Now we were going into an era of democracy... and I believed that I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athol-fugard/my-life-had-been-defined-by-the-apartheid-years-now-we-were-going/)

[Athol Fugard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athol-fugard/)

> [If you think about basic science or coming up with new theories of mathematics, these are not the kinds of things which are necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/if-you-think-about-basic-science-or-coming-up-with-new-theories-of/)

[Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/)

> [Sometimes, I get afraid it has defined me, that sense of grief, loss and illness. But actually, it is about allowing myself to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-get-afraid-it-has-defined-me-that-sense-of-grief-loss-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [the most terribly human moments - the ones we want to pretend never happened - are the very moments that make us who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-lawson/the-most-terribly-human-moments-the-ones-we-want-to-pretend-never/)

[Jenny Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-lawson/)

> [“We don't have to be defined by the things we did or didn't do in our past.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittacus-lore/we-don-t-have-to-be-defined-by-the-things-we-did-or-didn-t-do-in-our/)

[Pittacus Lore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittacus-lore/)

> [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/)

Philip Alston

Browse all 1,532 Defined quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Paul Sinha"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-what-you-do-on-telly/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Defined"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-what-you-do-on-telly/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/paul-sinha-26039_defined_when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-wha_139032.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When youre on telly, youre defined by what you do on telly.” — Paul Sinha",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Paul Sinha",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-sinha/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When youre on telly, youre defined...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-what-you-do-on-telly/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-sinha/when-youre-on-telly-youre-defined-by-what-you-do-on-telly/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
