Van Dyke Parks

[on his role as "Tommy Manicotti" in "Honeymooners" sketches in two episodes of Jackie Gleason television shows] I only had a couple of lines, but I didn't blow them...not until he (Jackie Gleason) blew his at least, then we would just have a conversation. It was great. Gleason was a man of immense ability, but one of those abilities was not memorizing a script. He was a genius at improv, but that's also why he didn't have children or dogs on the show. I was lucky that I got to do two shows, meet him, and see 'The Greatest Orchestra.' (laughs) It was wonderful. Show less «

"I have no excuse, sir." (to Mike Love, during the "Smile" album sessions, when asked to explain obscure lyrics like "Columnated ruins domino") Show less «