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
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
Putting it to work
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
The funniest man who ever drew breath. ~ Stephen Fry
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