I really don't take any interest at all in contemporary comedy. Paul Merton comedycontemporaryinterest Change image and share on social
I read every book about Buster Keaton and Chaplin to see how they worked - it's all about dedication, tunnel vision, pursuit of perfection, getting the gag right. Paul Merton bookbustchaplin Change image and share on social
If you became a comedian in the '80s, you had to work the circuit and make people laugh. Canned laughter is cheating. Paul Merton 80scannedcheat Change image and share on social
I don't always vote in general elections, but I think I've always voted Labour. Paul Merton electiongeneralhave Change image and share on social
When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them. Paul Merton createfunnyjoke Change image and share on social
It was a bizarre existence I led in my early twenties - that cliche of the comedian who goes out and entertains a roomful of people and then goes home to a lonely bedsit was unbelievably poignant for me because that was exactly what I was doing. I had periods of real loneliness. Paul Merton bedsitbizarrecliche share on social
The economics favour one-man comedy shows: all you need is one person, a microphone and a PA system. But I'm pleased so many people are making a living out of comedy - it's a wonderful business to be in. Paul Merton businesscomedyeconomics share on social
There's something magical about film, it's the ultimate for me, because it's kind of permanent - inasmuch as anything is. When I went to see Buster Keaton when I was about 14 and I came out of the cinema having really laughed at this film which had been made 50 years before, I thought: That's immortality. It's fantastic. Paul Merton bustcinemafantastic share on social
Well, sanity, I suppose, is getting people to see the world your way. Paul Merton peoplesanitysuppose Change image and share on social