I feel the producers really exploited my lack of talent at this time. I looked like an idiot up there. I want to be good, not something that people will laugh at.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I only got to be able to act, because I gave myself a job as a producer.
You see, it took me so long, it was such a struggle, to move myself out of musicals - because I had had a success, nobody wanted to allow me to direct a non-musical picture. It was so hard. And the only way I could get it going was to become a producer myself.
I wasn't straining at the bit to become a movie star any more than I had plotted to get out of vaudeville and into Broadway musicals.
I didn't ever plan to be a producer, and I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.
Growing up in the entertainment industry, I've had a lot of people tell me I'm not good enough.
I used to have sort of mixed feelings about a producer whose only skills seemed to be going into the studio, schmoozing the artists and making them feel good. I can see now that in some cases, that's what you have to do because that's the only way you're going to get them to produce.
I went further on less talent than anyone, but I was a damned good entertainer.
Directors, producers can make you look good or make you look bad.
What's difficult with doing 'The Producers' is your appetite is enormous. You want money; you want boards; you have huge desires. You've got to want more than anything for two and a half hours. Everything is heightened.
I didn't want to get into acting. I was very happy doing MTV, it took up my time, I was content.