Flip Wilson

“You can't expect to hit the jackpot if you don't put a few nickels in the machine.”

“The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.”

“Funny is an attitude.”

“Get well cards have become so humorous that if you don't get sick you're missing half the fun.”

“Most drag impersonations are a drag. But women can like Geraldine, men can like Geraldine, everyone can like Geraldine.”

“It would be ridiculous for me to say anything negative regarding blacks having an equal opportunity on TV.”

“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.”

“I've had all that you could ask for. The fat lady has sung, and there's a standing ovation.”

“When you're hot, you're hot; when you're not, you're not.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“It's later than it's ever been.”

“If I could marry my motorcycle, I'd roll her right up to the altar.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Funny is not a color. Being black is only good from the time you get from the curtain to the microphone.”

“The devil made me do it.”

“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.”