Don Scardino Quotes

Powerful Don Scardino for Daily Growth

About Don Scardino

Don Scardino is an accomplished American writer, director, and producer, best known for his work in television comedy. Born on February 16, 1958, in New York City, Scardino developed a love for storytelling at a young age. He attended the prestigious Tisch School of Arts at New York University where he honed his writing skills and gained a solid foundation in the art of filmmaking. Scardino's career took off in the 1980s when he joined the writing staff for the groundbreaking sitcom, "Saturday Night Live." He wrote for several notable sketches during his tenure, including Eddie Murphy's iconic Buckwheat character. After leaving SNL, Scardino moved on to work on various television shows, including "The Cosby Show," where he collaborated with Bill Cosby to create the beloved character, Denise Huxtable. In 1989, Scardino made his directorial debut with the film "A Couch in New York." However, it was his work on television that truly cemented his reputation as a master of comedy. He co-created and executive produced the popular sitcoms "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "NewsRadio," and served as showrunner for the critically acclaimed series "30 Rock." Scardino's contributions to television comedy have earned him multiple Emmy Awards, and his work continues to influence a new generation of writers and directors. As a testament to his success, Scardino was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2018. His ability to create memorable characters, craft engaging stories, and elicit laughter from audiences makes him one of the most influential figures in modern comedy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Comedy is a great way to say important things in an entertaining way."

This quote suggests that comedy, or humor, is an effective tool for delivering significant messages in a more engaging and enjoyable manner. By incorporating humor into serious discussions, people are more likely to pay attention, remember the message, and feel more positively towards it. It implies that entertainment can be used as a means to disseminate important information and ideas in a way that resonates with audiences.


"I've always thought that the best comedy comes from honesty."

This quote by Don Scardino suggests that genuine, truthful experiences form the basis for creating the best comedic content. In other words, when comedians or writers tap into authentic emotions, observations, or situations, their work resonates more deeply with audiences because it reflects universal human truths and experiences. Honesty in comedy allows for a stronger emotional connection between the artist and the audience, enhancing the humor's impact and making it more meaningful.


"The secret to directing is casting."

The quote emphasizes that the key to successful direction in film, television, or any form of visual storytelling lies primarily in the selection of cast members. A talented and fitting ensemble can breathe life into a script, elevate the narrative, and captivate audiences, making their performances the driving force behind the success of a project. In other words, a skilled director's ability to choose the right actors for each role is crucial to telling a compelling story on screen.


"You can't make good television unless you have really strong material."

Don Scardino's quote suggests that high-quality, engaging, and entertaining television is dependent on the quality and strength of the content or material being produced. In other words, even the most talented directors and producers cannot create good TV without a solid foundation of compelling storylines, characters, and themes to work with. This underscores the importance of having a well-thought-out script and story development process in television production.


"I think it's important to be truthful in storytelling, but also entertaining and funny."

Don Scardino's quote emphasizes the importance of balancing authenticity, entertainment, and humor when telling a story. By being truthful in storytelling, one ensures credibility and resonance with the audience. However, to keep the audience engaged, it is equally crucial to make the story entertaining and add elements of humor, which can make the narrative more appealing and memorable.


I grew up in Queens, and on Sunday evenings, my parents would drive my brother and me past the factory. We could smell the week's supply of bread baking. I always connected the 59th Street Bridge with that scent. Who woulda thunk, years later, I'd be there, directing and producing a hit TV show?

- Don Scardino

Week, TV, TV Show, Baking

It's pretty easy in theatre. The comedy's either physical or verbal, and you're looking at the whole frame at once. But TV executives want close-ups. I keep telling them to look at Preston Sturges' movies. He'll do a whole scene without a cut in it, and it's a riot.

- Don Scardino

Cut, Telling, TV, Frame

Studios are so used to digital now, and there is a mythology that it's cheaper. But it's really not cheaper. For instance, digital is great for night exteriors; everybody knows it's a video tap, so it's very responsive to light. So you can go out at night, shoot with digital, and it's gorgeous, beautiful to look at.

- Don Scardino

Cheaper, Everybody, Very, Responsive

A good film to me is like lightning in a bottle.

- Don Scardino

Me, Lightning, Like, Good Film

We ask actors to come to work ready to open a vein, to be emotionally thin-skinned. If someone screams, 'What about my coffee?' it's not about the coffee; it's because they're working in an emotional state. It ain't easy being an actor.

- Don Scardino

Working, Ready, About, Emotionally

I can speak to actors in their terms. Knowing I was an actor, they relax. You can have the best shot in the world - but, at the center of it, you still need a good performance.

- Don Scardino

Need, Center, Still, Relax

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.