Flip Wilson
Funny is not a color. Being black is only good from the time you get from the curtain to the microphone.Collection: Funny
Funny is an attitude.Collection: Funny
Get well cards have become so humorous that if you don't get sick you're missing half the fun.Collection: Humor
You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine.Collection: Motivational
My happiest memory of childhood was my first birthday in reform school. This teacher took an interest in me. In fact, he gave me the first birthday presents I ever got: a box of Cracker Jacks and a can of ABC shoe polish.Collection: Teacher
Things can be funny only when we are in fun. When we're 'dead earnest,' humor is the only thing that is dead.Collection: Humor
The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.Collection: Chance
The devil made me do it.
Violence is a tool of the ignorant.
It's later than it's ever been.
My show is my statement. What I have to say is on the screen. My life is my own. I don't want to talk about my private self. Why should I?
Variety shows didn't disappear; it was the caliber of the artists, the classic vaudevillians that have passed on. They are gone, so there's a different caliber performer that's come along that hasn't had the time to work in the small clubs and get the experience.
I have the bug again. I'm expecting the response to seeing the show again on Nick to be very good, and this will set the groundwork for what I want to do.
I've had all that you could ask for. The fat lady has sung, and there's a standing ovation.
Everyone in this house and the houses next door knows when I'm in the sauna because I start singing, and I sing the blues when I'm in a really good mood. I have a really loud voice, you know.
It would be ridiculous for me to say anything negative regarding blacks having an equal opportunity on TV.
I was number one in the ratings four times last year and twice this season. What could be more damn equal than that? If they get any more equal, I don't want it.
I think Mr. Wilson will have to be the rest of the way alone.
When you're hot, you're hot; when you're not, you're not.
Don't order one for the road, because the road is already laid out.
My main point is to be funny; if I can slip a message in there, fine.
I accomplished what I set out to do. I wanted the whole cookie, and I got it. Now I want to spend more time with my children - make sure they don't go through what I did.
The secret of my success with Geraldine is that she's not a putdown of women. She's smart, she's trustful, she's loyal, she's sassy.
Most drag impersonations are a drag. But women can like Geraldine, men can like Geraldine, everyone can like Geraldine.
A show hosted by a black had never been accepted, so the first time that knob's turned on, people are judging against all they have ever been taught. I may have been the first black in the house.
I study a lot of philosophy. I want to be an example of how to enjoy this success, and that's exactly what I've done. I've enjoyed every moment.
After having seen the job done on that first show of mine, I realized that I felt like I wanted to work again for a short while. Two, three years, then stop.
If I could marry my motorcycle, I'd roll her right up to the altar.
I told CBS, 'My career is going down the toilet, and you're pulling the chain.'
I tell fans who ask me why I'm not doing comedy anymore that I'm a different person. I've grown and I've matured. I've made a transition to where I really want to be.
I have my outlet for my humor through my characters, and I also have the intimacy of rapport with my fans that allows me to explain my philosophy and spirituality.
If I had my whole life to live over again, I don't think I'd have the strength.Collection: Life
Being your own man does not mean taking advantage of anyone else.Collection: Mean
Being a comedian is like being a con man. You have to make 'em like you before you can fool 'em.Collection: Humor
With all the trouble black people have, they try to forget on weekends. You've got to be good to make them laugh.Collection: Weekend