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About this quote

What does it mean?
Terry Jones recognizes that Peter Cook's humor was natural and effortless, shining brightly without needing to think.
In plain terms
Cook's comedy came easily to him and felt brilliant to others.
What can you take from it?
True talent often feels effortless to the performer.

Where it applies

  • critiquing a comedian
  • recalling a friend
  • studying performance

Putting it to work

  • analyze natural talent
  • study ease in work

Questions to consider

  • What makes a performance feel effortless?
  • How do you recognize true skill?

Another view

Effortlessness can mask hard work done in private.

More from Peter Cook

  1. The first time I saw Peter what made the impression was the visual content of what he and Dudley Moore were doing. It was Not Only, But Also..., and Pete and D…

    Permalink to quote #52
  2. I remember being moved to tears when Peter said: 'I know I was funny but I know I won't improve, I won't get any better'. I was lucky to be around when he was …

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. He wasn't just a genius, he had the genius's impatience with the whole idea of doing something again. He reinvented an art form, exhausted its possibilities, a…

    Permalink to quote #51

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