--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're ever making a television show…" description: "\"If you're ever making a television show, don't cast smart actors because they are just a pain in the ass. The moment you start to bullshit them you've ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ray-mckinnon-38193_actor_if-you-re-ever-making-a-television-show_749122.jpg" --- # If you're ever making a television show, don't cast smart… ![“If you're ever making a television show, don't cast smart actors because they are just a pain in the ass. The moment you start to bullshit them you've lost them, so you have to either know what you're talking about or when you don't talk to them.” quote by Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ray-mckinnon-38193_actor_if-you-re-ever-making-a-television-show_749122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ray-mckinnon-38193_actor_if-you-re-ever-making-a-television-show_749122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ray-mckinnon-38193_actor_if-you-re-ever-making-a-television-show_749122.jpg) > “If you're ever making a television show, don't cast smart actors because they are just a pain in the ass. The moment you start to bullshit them you've lost them, so you have to either know what you're talking about or when you don't talk to them.” [Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mckinnon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Casting actors who are overly clever can create friction; creators must communicate clearly and respect talent to maintain collaboration. **In simple terms:** Smart actors may cause friction; clear communication helps. Key Takeaway Communicate clearly and respect talent. Themes communication collaboration leadership Mood frustrated pragmatic Type advice industry. When to use this quote - film production - TV series development - team meetings Key Concepts creative process ego management Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance creative input with direction? - What strategies keep communication clear? A Different Perspective If actors are too clever, they may dominate discussions, hindering direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Actors Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-just-245803/) [Ass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ass/) [Bullshit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/) [Cast Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cast-smart-5831366/) [Casts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/casts/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Making Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-television-1025927/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Smart Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart-actors-900881/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Television show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-show/) [Television shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-shows/) ## Related quotes > [Making a television show is not like making Coca-Cola or Bacardi rum. 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As an actor, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mckinnon/with-writing-fiction-i-m-either-not-courageous-enough-or-just-not/) [Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mckinnon/) > [All the collaborators of storytelling, in film and television, have to be partly self-centered because they need to do their work the best they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mckinnon/all-the-collaborators-of-storytelling-in-film-and-television-have-to/) [Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mckinnon/) > [There's not a conspiracy to prevent really good writing from being found You have to have the humility to fail over and over and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mckinnon/there-s-not-a-conspiracy-to-prevent-really-good-writing-from-being/) [Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mckinnon/) > [I think I'm a better collaborator, in seeing the bigger picture and trying to just help that, and not be so self-centered in whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mckinnon/i-think-i-m-a-better-collaborator-in-seeing-the-bigger-picture-and/) [Ray McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mckinnon/) > [You can't please everyone. 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