--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I signed contracts when I didn't know…" description: "\"I signed contracts when I didn't know what that meant. I thought I'd get residuals off of the shows I've been on: History Channel, Discovery, Dateline,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/steve-trotter-44980_contracts_i-signed-contracts-when-i-didn-t-know-wh_2281912.jpg" --- # I signed contracts when I didn't know what that meant. I… ![“I signed contracts when I didn't know what that meant. I thought I'd get residuals off of the shows I've been on: History Channel, Discovery, Dateline, Johnny Carson, etc. It's the only regret I have in life. If I got residuals, I wouldn't be shucking oysters now, though I do love my job.” quote by Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/steve-trotter-44980_contracts_i-signed-contracts-when-i-didn-t-know-wh_2281912.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/steve-trotter-44980_contracts_i-signed-contracts-when-i-didn-t-know-wh_2281912.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/steve-trotter-44980_contracts_i-signed-contracts-when-i-didn-t-know-wh_2281912.jpg) > “I signed contracts when I didn't know what that meant. I thought I'd get residuals off of the shows I've been on: History Channel, Discovery, Dateline, Johnny Carson, etc. It's the only regret I have in life. If I got residuals, I wouldn't be shucking oysters now, though I do love my job.” [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He regrets signing contracts without understanding them, missing out on residuals that could have changed his livelihood. **In simple terms:** Missing out on future earnings due to uninformed contracts. Key Takeaway Read contracts carefully before signing. Themes regret contracts financial literacy Mood reflective concerned Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - negotiating contracts - financial planning - career transitions - seeking alternative income - understanding royalties Key Concepts entertainment industry residuals career planning Questions to Reflect On - What could you have done differently? - How do you ensure informed decisions now? A Different Perspective Even with residuals, other factors affect career satisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) ## Related quotes > [I went to Washington to ask for a little residual payment for the people who had written films in the early, early days, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-wray/i-went-to-washington-to-ask-for-a-little-residual-payment-for-the/) [Fay Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-wray/) > [Before 1972, no actors got residuals. They just got paid. No residuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ratzenberger/before-1972-no-actors-got-residuals-they-just-got-paid-no-residuals/) [John Ratzenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ratzenberger/) > [I signed contracts I didn't think were a good idea but people around me said it was the way forward. It saddens me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-cope/i-signed-contracts-i-didn-t-think-were-a-good-idea-but-people-around/) [Julian Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-cope/) > [In those days, man, in the '50s, black people in the South... We didn't recognize contracts that much. And we didn't recognize marriages that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/in-those-days-man-in-the-50s-black-people-in-the-south-we-didn-t/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [I didn't sign any contracts, and I didn't see any oil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-zhirinovsky/i-didn-t-sign-any-contracts-and-i-didn-t-see-any-oil/) [Vladimir Zhirinovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-zhirinovsky/) > [There was a time when all the actors were saying, 'We should get residuals on videogames.' I just kept going, 'You don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nolan-north/there-was-a-time-when-all-the-actors-were-saying-we-should-get/) [Nolan North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nolan-north/) > [The public thinks there is a lot of money in 'residuals,' but it really isn't that good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-crane/the-public-thinks-there-is-a-lot-of-money-in-residuals-but-it-really/) [Bob Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-crane/) > [What happens at 90 is that I don't walk so good, my eyes are going, I can't hear well, and I'm getting all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-lewis/what-happens-at-90-is-that-i-don-t-walk-so-good-my-eyes-are-going-i/) [Jerry Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-lewis/) > [I lead a simple life. I get residuals. I have a family; we're doing alright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morse/i-lead-a-simple-life-i-get-residuals-i-have-a-family-we-re-doing/) [Robert Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morse/) > [What the advertisers are trying to do by eliminating residuals is the most appalling form of greed that I cry thinking about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ladd/what-the-advertisers-are-trying-to-do-by-eliminating-residuals-is-the/) [Diane Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ladd/) > [So in a sense, people should be getting residuals for that because actually, if anything, reality people go through a lot worse than what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-sandoval/so-in-a-sense-people-should-be-getting-residuals-for-that-because/) [Tom Sandoval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-sandoval/) > [It used to be that in media, Johnny Carson used to be the most important person when he would invite you over to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lampanelli/it-used-to-be-that-in-media-johnny-carson-used-to-be-the-most/) [Lisa Lampanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lampanelli/) > [I was a kid, and I would watch standup comics do the 'Tonight Show,' and if Johnny Carson liked you, he'd wave you over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-koy/i-was-a-kid-and-i-would-watch-standup-comics-do-the-tonight-show-and/) [Jo Koy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-koy/) > [I turned down more offers to be Jack Paar or Johnny Carson or Steve Allen before the people on the 'Donna Reed Show' gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-crane/i-turned-down-more-offers-to-be-jack-paar-or-johnny-carson-or-steve/) [Bob Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-crane/) > [I remember Johnny Carson laughing effusively when I made my 'Tonight' show debut in the early 1970's as part of a sketch comedy group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-willard/i-remember-johnny-carson-laughing-effusively-when-i-made-my-tonight/) [Fred Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-willard/) ## More by Steve Trotter > [I back away from negativity - there's too much in this world, and I don't want to be around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/i-back-away-from-negativity-there-s-too-much-in-this-world-and-i-don/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) > [I bounced off a rock at the bottom and saw stars for a second, but I wasn't knocked out. It's the rush of rushes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/i-bounced-off-a-rock-at-the-bottom-and-saw-stars-for-a-second-but-i/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) > [“I don't care what the airlines say, there is no such thing as a non-stop flight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/i-don-t-care-what-the-airlines-say-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-non/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) > [The five rings of marriage: there's the engagement ring and the wedding ring, but there are three others, too: the boring, the suffering and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/the-five-rings-of-marriage-there-s-the-engagement-ring-and-the/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) > [I try to keep my religion and politics separate. But I do prefer my stunts on Sundays. 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I don't push it on anyone, though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/i-m-a-big-believer-in-the-christian-faith-i-don-t-push-it-on-anyone/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) > [It's nice to come into an atmosphere that's uplifting and good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-trotter/it-s-nice-to-come-into-an-atmosphere-that-s-uplifting-and-good/) [Steve Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) [Explore all 9 Steve Trotter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-trotter/) ## More Contracts quotes > [So, in the last year, the whole cast sued for release from our contracts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-rettig/so-in-the-last-year-the-whole-cast-sued-for-release-from-our-contracts/) [Tommy Rettig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-rettig/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [It is merely the egoism of the man, who wants to bury a woman like a treasure. All attempts at using vows, contracts, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/it-is-merely-the-egoism-of-the-man-who-wants-to-bury-a-woman-like-a/) [Leopold von Sacher-Masoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leopold-von-sacher-masoch/) > [Record contracts are just like - I'm gonna say the word, slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince/record-contracts-are-just-like-i-m-gonna-say-the-word-slavery/) [Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince/) > [These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy or ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/these-are-the-men-who-without-virtue-labour-or-hazard-are-growing/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nowadays, in the contract that actors sign, you have to agree that you're going to do a certain amount of publicity-the hard part they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/nowadays-in-the-contract-that-actors-sign-you-have-to-agree-that-you/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Columbia tried to put me behind other groups, so I didn't wanna wait, they let me out of the contract and I'm glad they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmx/columbia-tried-to-put-me-behind-other-groups-so-i-didn-t-wanna-wait/) [DMX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmx/) > [I've proposed a contract with the American voter that will give the government back to the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-ve-proposed-a-contract-with-the-american-voter-that-will-give-the/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We sign contracts to fight, not to dip, duck and dodge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/we-sign-contracts-to-fight-not-to-dip-duck-and-dodge/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [The earth itself assures us it is a living entity. Deep below surface one can hear its slow pulse, feel its vibrant rhythm. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-waters/the-earth-itself-assures-us-it-is-a-living-entity-deep-below-surface/) [Frank Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-waters/) > [Society is indeed a contract. It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/society-is-indeed-a-contract-it-is-a-partnership-in-all-science-a/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I don't generate a storyline and then fill it out in the course of writing. The story actually generates in the course of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/i-don-t-generate-a-storyline-and-then-fill-it-out-in-the-course-of/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [Corporations are created by the people, acting through their governments. We grant them corporate charters that confer certain legal rights and privileges, like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcgovern/corporations-are-created-by-the-people-acting-through-their/) [Jim McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcgovern/) Browse all 1,004 Contracts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I signed contracts when I didn't know what that meant. I thought I'd get residuals off of the shows I've been on: History Channel, Discovery, Dateline, Johnny Carson, etc. It's the only regret I have in life. 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