“Anybody who's done standup will tell you that there's nothing like it. The show starts at 8:00, the curtain goes up and there's nobody else except you and the audience, and you just perform for them for two hours. Nobody yells, 'Cut!' There are no retakes. That is still the most exciting medium for me, and I love it.”

Denis Leary is an American actor and writer from the 1980s to present. He gained prominence for his roles in crime dramas and comedies, including *Homicide: Life on the Street* and *Rescue Me*, as well as his sharp, often darkly humorous writing for television and film. His work blends gritty realism with a distinctive, witty voice.