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Being British in this part of the century meant living in the country that had Peter Cook in it. There are wits and there are clowns in comedy, I suppose. Peter was a wit, it goes without saying, but he was funny in an almost supernatural way that has never been matched by anyone I've met or even heard about. It wasn't to do with facial expression or epigrammatic wit, or cattiness or rant or anger or technique: he had funniness in the same way that beautiful people have beauty or dancers have line and grace. He had an ability to make people gasp and gasp and gasp for breath like landed fish. ~ Stephen Fry

Peter Cook#47

HumorTalentAdmirationWit

About this quote

What does it mean?
Fry praises Cook's supernatural funniness, distinguishing him from other comedians.
In plain terms
He calls Cook a unique wit with natural, unmatched humor.
What can you take from it?
True comedic talent can seem innate rather than technical.

Where it applies

  • tributes
  • eulogies

Putting it to work

  • identify natural talent
  • honor peers

Questions to consider

  • What makes talent seem supernatural?
  • How do you recognize a master?

Another view

Praising talent as supernatural ignores the work behind it.

More from Peter Cook

  1. The funniest man who ever drew breath. ~ Stephen Fry

    Permalink to quote #46
  2. I'll leave with a story whose victim, Sir David Frost, won't mind it being told, because he tells it himself. David Frost rang Peter Cook up some years ago. 'P…

    Permalink to quote #48
  3. Tragically I was an only twin.

    Permalink to quote #45

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