“That's the nice thing about doing stand-up. There's no development, you just go out there and get an immediate response as to whether something is good or bad. Getting a laugh is the best measure of how well you're doing.” WellsLaughingNiceDevelopmentResponseNice Things Author:Paul Reiser
“When I'm writing for a book, it's much more reflective process. I have certain things that may not translate well to the stage, but, when they're on the page, people can really get into them. My first two books were aiming to be funnier, but the third was more about deep exploration. Things about being a parent and growing older that I thought would be perfect for a book.” PeopleWritingFirstsWellsMayTwoBookWould BeCertainProcessParentPerfectGrowingStagePagesThirdsExplorationTranslateGrowing OldBeing A ParentGrowing Older Author:Paul Reiser
“Jerry Lewis played on the very first season of Mad About You, and he played basically himself, but he was called some other name. He said he's never done it; he'd never done a half-hour of [sitcom] television. This was 1992 or '93. And I said, "Well how is that?" And he goes, "Nobody ever asked me." It's like the pretty girl at the dance; everybody's too afraid to ask.” FirstsWellsSaidDoneGirlAsksNamesHoursHalfTelevisionSeasonsMadSitcomJerryHalf HoursPretty Girl Author:Paul Reiser
“Over the years, there certainly have been plenty of ideas that I've had and given up on, but for this one, the only thing that was standing in its way was me doing it - I just had to write it... And then if it didn't happen, it didn't happen. But I didn't want it to be for lack of effort on my part, so I had hunch that it would be a good story and that we would work well together. And it certainly worked out that way.” IfsWayWantWritingYearsWellsHas BeensIdeasStoriesHappensWould BeTogetherGivenEffortStandingPlentyGiven UpGood StoryHunches Author:Paul Reiser
“It was trying to make my tennis game look mildly respectable, which I found you don't even really need to practice if you have a really good editor. They can edit it and you're like, "Hey, it looks like I'm playing really well." That was the fun part, but it was like going to summer camp.” IfsNeedsTryingWellsLooksFoundGamesFunPracticeSummerHeyTennisEditorsCampsRespectableEditsFound YouSummer CampTennis Game Author:Paul Reiser
“Sometimes it works out well, and certain household responsibilities fall naturally to those who like doing them. For example, my wife likes to pack suitcases, I like to unpack them. My wife likes to buy groceries, I like to put them away. I do. I like the handling and discovering, and the location assignments. Cans - over there. Fruit - over there. Bananas - not so fast. You go over here. When you learn not to go bad so quickly, then you can stay with the rest of your friends.” WellsSometimesCertainFallResponsibilityWifeExampleFruitWork OutMy WifeLikesDiscoveringHouseholdPacksLocationGroceriesBananasAssignmentsSuitcases Author:Paul Reiser
