--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never know why shows succeed or don't…" description: "\"I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is why I look at it as, 'I'll do the best work that I can', and if the fans and people respond t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg" --- # I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is… ![“I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is why I look at it as, 'I'll do the best work that I can', and if the fans and people respond then I'm always really flattered and honored, and if they don't then I'll try and do something next time that they like better. But I have no idea…” quote by Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg) > “I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is why I look at it as, 'I'll do the best work that I can', and if the fans and people respond then I'm always really flattered and honored, and if they don't then I'll try and do something next time that they like better. But I have no idea what makes a hit show, I really don't.” [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) ## 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 admits uncertainty about why shows succeed, focusing on doing their best and learning from audience feedback. **In simple terms:** Success is uncertain; focus on effort and adaptation. Key Takeaway Do your best and iterate based on response. Themes uncertainty audience adaptation Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type creative reflective When to use this quote - Pilot episodes - focus screenings - fan engagement - post‑mortem analysis Key Concepts Creative process feedback loops career development Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal vision with audience expectations? - What metrics truly indicate a show's success? A Different Perspective Reliance on audience approval can compromise artistic integrity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Next time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-time/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [The best shows succeed because they tap into a national conversation,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/the-best-shows-succeed-because-they-tap-into-a-national-conversation/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [To be honest, I know there are shows that have a lot of women and they say, 'Oh, we love each other!' but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madchen-amick/to-be-honest-i-know-there-are-shows-that-have-a-lot-of-women-and-they/) [Madchen Amick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madchen-amick/) > [I don't know what any of my shows are about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-don-t-know-what-any-of-my-shows-are-about/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [You know what shows today are missing? Stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-spelling/you-know-what-shows-today-are-missing-stars/) [Aaron Spelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-spelling/) > [“If at first you don't succeed, look in the trash for the instructions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-keogh/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-look-in-the-trash-for-the-instructions/) [Sean Keogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-keogh/) > [If at first you dont succeed, look in the trash for the instructions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-look-in-the-trash-for-the-instructions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The fastest way to succeed is to look as if you're playing by somebody else's rules, while quietly playing by your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/the-fastest-way-to-succeed-is-to-look-as-if-you-re-playing-by/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [I hope to become an actor who succeed not from how I look, but my talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kyu-jong/i-hope-to-become-an-actor-who-succeed-not-from-how-i-look-but-my/) [Kim Kyu-jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kyu-jong/) > [If you want succeed, look forward and learn from them. If you want heaven, look back and help them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-succeed-look-forward-and-learn-from-them-if-you-want/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If at first you don't succeed, have a cup of tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-scott/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-have-a-cup-of-tea/) [Peter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-scott/) > [“If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-baden-powell-or-thomas-h-palmer-or-wc-fields/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-try-and-try-again/) Lord Baden-Powell or Thomas H. Palmer or WC Fields > [If at first you don't succeed, you can always become an ultramarathoner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-fordyce/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-you-can-always-become-an-ultramarathoner/) Bruce Fordyce > [“If at first you don't succeed, getting outa bed is a great first step to trying again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-a-brown/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-getting-outa-bed-is-a-great-first-step/) Danny A. Brown > [“If at first you don't succeed, you are running about average.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-h-alderson/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-you-are-running-about-average/) M.H. Alderson > [If at first you don't succeed, Call an airstrike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-call-an-airstrike/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More by Poppy Montgomery > [I talk about being Australian a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-talk-about-being-australian-a-lot/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [You can make all the birth plans in the world, but at the end of the day - go with the flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/you-can-make-all-the-birth-plans-in-the-world-but-at-the-end-of-the/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [When I get it into my head that I want to do something, I do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/when-i-get-it-into-my-head-that-i-want-to-do-something-i-do-it/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I got expelled from every school I went to in Sydney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-got-expelled-from-every-school-i-went-to-in-sydney/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [Every rule should be broken at least one time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/every-rule-should-be-broken-at-least-one-time/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [Maybe I'm secretly in my soul a method actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/maybe-i-m-secretly-in-my-soul-a-method-actor/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I love men - everything about them: the way they look, the way they smell, the way they feel. I love their minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-love-men-everything-about-them-the-way-they-look-the-way-they-smell/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I was a redhead when I first came to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-was-a-redhead-when-i-first-came-to-america/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [When it comes to guys, make sure you are treated like a princess, always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/when-it-comes-to-guys-make-sure-you-are-treated-like-a-princess-always/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [Hollywood's full of transients. Everybody comes from somewhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/hollywood-s-full-of-transients-everybody-comes-from-somewhere-else/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I'm outspoken and I'm headstrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-m-outspoken-and-i-m-headstrong/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I always try to make things fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-always-try-to-make-things-fun/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I'm the girliest girl you'll ever meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-m-the-girliest-girl-you-ll-ever-meet/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [I have spent too long training myself to speak with an American accent, it's ingrained. I spend 16 hours a day on set speaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-have-spent-too-long-training-myself-to-speak-with-an-american/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) > [Women are supposed to want to settle down and have a family. That's not for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/women-are-supposed-to-want-to-settle-down-and-have-a-family-that-s/) [Poppy Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) [Explore all 22 Poppy Montgomery quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/) ## More Best work quotes > [I do my best work when I am in pain and turmoil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sting/i-do-my-best-work-when-i-am-in-pain-and-turmoil/) [Sting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sting/) > [The only features I've done have been on the lower-budget end, for what they were. It's really all about getting the best people aboard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-garris/the-only-features-i-ve-done-have-been-on-the-lower-budget-end-for/) [Mick Garris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-garris/) > [The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-fleischman/the-books-we-enjoy-as-children-stay-with-us-forever-they-have-a/) [Sid Fleischman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sid-fleischman/) > [“One's best work comes when we are fully alive, happy, and inspired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schiffer/one-s-best-work-comes-when-we-are-fully-alive-happy-and-inspired/) Eric Schiffer > [To not be modest about it, you'll find that with only a couple of exceptions, most of the musicians that I've worked with have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/to-not-be-modest-about-it-you-ll-find-that-with-only-a-couple-of/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [I know some people say it's not the best to work with your family, but I have never understood that because it's always worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-kardashian/i-know-some-people-say-it-s-not-the-best-to-work-with-your-family-but/) [Kim Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-kardashian/) > [We enjoy what we do and, for me, playing football is the best work in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-moutinho/we-enjoy-what-we-do-and-for-me-playing-football-is-the-best-work-in/) [Joao Moutinho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-moutinho/) > [You and I are stymied in our own creativity. We can only create as sub-creators, and even then our best work is only sub-creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/you-and-i-are-stymied-in-our-own-creativity-we-can-only-create-as-sub/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [There's no way a director can communicate with every single person on the set and yet they need to motivate and instill an ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-kennedy/there-s-no-way-a-director-can-communicate-with-every-single-person-on/) [Kathleen Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-kennedy/) > [Hope for the best and work for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deval-patrick/hope-for-the-best-and-work-for-it/) [Deval Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deval-patrick/) > [All I can do is focus on doing my best work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ryder/all-i-can-do-is-focus-on-doing-my-best-work/) [Sam Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ryder/) > [I was wondering if the best was behind me, had the high point of my career already happened. Then I saw what Manolo had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-cox/i-was-wondering-if-the-best-was-behind-me-had-the-high-point-of-my/) [Patrick Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-cox/) > [The only thing I can do is wipe my arse, brush my teeth, turn up and do the best work I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hardy/the-only-thing-i-can-do-is-wipe-my-arse-brush-my-teeth-turn-up-and-do/) [Tom Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hardy/) > [The best work for creative folks on the team is when the problem is big and the solution escapes everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-sinofsky/the-best-work-for-creative-folks-on-the-team-is-when-the-problem-is/) [Steven Sinofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-sinofsky/) > [There should always be that leeway because if you think of your character as sort of absolutely fixed, then you just try and find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-abrahamson/there-should-always-be-that-leeway-because-if-you-think-of-your/) Lenny Abrahamson Browse all 403 Best work quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is why I look at it as, 'I'll do the best work that I can', and if the fans and people respond then I'm always really flattered and honored, and if they don't then I'll try and do something next time that they like better. But I have no idea what makes a hit show, I really don't.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Poppy Montgomery" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t-succeed-which-is-why-i-look/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Best work" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t-succeed-which-is-why-i-look/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42f/poppy-montgomery-26183_best-work_i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t_1302767.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never know why shows succeed or don't succeed, which is why I look at it as, 'I'll do the best work that I…” — Poppy Montgomery", "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": "Poppy Montgomery", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppy-montgomery/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never know why shows succeed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t-succeed-which-is-why-i-look/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppy-montgomery/i-never-know-why-shows-succeed-or-don-t-succeed-which-is-why-i-look/#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 } } ] } ```