“We are all born as empty vessels which can be shaped by moral values.”
“We can't just have mainstream behavior on television in a free society, we have to make sure we see the whole panorama of human behavior.”
“All of us, whether or not we're celebrities, every one ought to spend part of their life making someone else's life better.”
“I'm always playing a role, whether it's the role of the mayor, the role of a news anchor, or a role of a crazy talk-show host. But there was a specific function. 'On Dancing With The Stars', I had nothing to do but be me, schlepping around the floor. And when I host 'America's Got Talent', that's really me just talking to regular folks.”
“There's something about the openness of the American people. Yes, we have our faults, but deep down, there's a goodness. America doesn't want to take over the world; in many ways, we don't want to be bothered by the rest of the world.”
“My guess is more reporters probably vote Democrat than Republican - just because I think reporters are smart.”
“I'm liberal, but I watch the three majors. Obviously I watch MSNBC, also CNN and Fox, which is what I would call ridiculously to the right.”
“I don't live in Hollywood. I don't have celebrities as friends. I like them, but I don't pal around with them. I just live in the Midwest, a real normal world.”
“I treat politics kind of like my religion. It's something I believe in, but I don't want to have to make a living at it, because if you make a living at it, you somehow become dishonest.”
“I play a crazy talk-show host, but that's not me. It's like an actor playing a role.”