WIST Quotations

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1994-01-31)

Dave — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:21:02 +0000

CALVIN’S DAD: Why is it I can recall a cigarette ad jingle from 25 years ago, but I can’t remember what I just got up to do?

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1994-01-31)

Morgan, Edward -- Essay (1955-08-15), “The Literary Bug Doesn’t Bite,” ABC Radio

Dave — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:09:10 +0000

A book is the only place I know in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear that it will go off in your face. It is one of the few sources of information left that is served up without the silent black noise of a headline, the doomy hullabaloo of a commercial. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy.

Edward P. Morgan (1910–1993) American journalist
Essay (1955-08-15), “The Literary Bug Doesn’t Bite,” ABC Radio

Collected in Clearing the Air, Part 1 (1963).

Often attributed to Madeleine L'Engle, who quoted it in her lecture (1983-11-16), "Dare To Be Creative," Library of Congress, Washington, DC; she indicated someone had given the quote to her, but she did not know who had said it.

Serling, Rod -- Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Dave — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:41:56 +0000

And the worst commercial of any, bar none, is the dramatized doctor-pitchman in a white medical coat who juggles test tubes and ponderously exhorts you to do what his “patients” do. Perhaps this is the natural evolution of the old traveling snake-oil shows, but then, at least, the hucksters did sleight of hand and a few buck-and-wings before launching into the pitch.

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Serling, Rod -- Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Dave — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:29:36 +0000

I don’t really believe there exists a “good” form of commercial. There are some that are less distasteful than others, but at best they’re intrusive. And even in the most absolutely palatable form, they thrust a cleaver into the overall effect of a television drama — and they do it three times during its all too brief playing, and even more during the 90-minute shows.

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Patterns, Introduction (1957)

Serling, Rod -- Quoted in Anne Serling, As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling (2013)

Dave — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 16:08:00 +0000

A Martian can say things that a Republican or a Democrat can’t.

Rod Serling (1924–1975) American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, narrator
Quoted in Anne Serling, As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling (2013)

On being able to slip more controversial television script ideas past networks and sponsors if done in a science fiction or fantasy setting.

Kendrick, Alexander -- Prime Time: The Life of Edward R. Murrow (1969)

Dave — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 15:12:11 +0000

There are those in the industry who believe broadcasting can move men, and even some who believe it could move mountains, but they are outnumbered by those who believe all it has to do is move goods.

Alexander Kendrick (1910–1991) American journalist
Prime Time: The Life of Edward R. Murrow (1969)

HIcks, Bill -- Performance, Pittsburgh (20 Jun 1991)

Dave — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 12:13:13 +0000

That’s what I hate about the war on drugs. All day long we see those commercials: “Here’s your brain, here’s your brain on drugs”, “Just Say No”, “Why do you think they call it dope?” … And then the next commercial is “This Bud’s for yooouuuu.” C’mon, everybody, let’s be hypocritical bastards. It’s okay to drink your drug. We meant those other drugs. Those untaxed drugs. Those are the ones that are bad for you.

Bill Hicks (1961–1994) American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, musician [William Melvin "Bill" Hicks]
Performance, Pittsburgh (20 Jun 1991)

Recorded in Flying Saucer Tour, Vol. 1 (2002)

Butler, Samuel -- The Note-Books of Samuel Butler (1912)

Dave — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 13:06:51 +0000

Any fool can paint a picture but it takes a wise man to be able to sell it.

Samuel Butler (1835–1902) English novelist, satirist, scholar
The Note-Books of Samuel Butler (1912)