I don't like any shows very much, if you want to know the truth. They're not as bad as movies, but they're certainly nothing to rave about. In the first place, I hate actors. They never act like people. They just think they do. Some of the good ones do, in a very slight way, but it's not in a way that's fun to watch. And if the actor's really good, you can always tell he's good, and that spoils it.
This quote offers a candid critique of the entertainment industry, particularly focusing on television shows and the art of acting. The speaker's skepticism about both mediums reflects a broader disillusionment with the artificiality often inherent in performance. The statement suggests that shows, while perhaps preferable to movies in some regards, lack the compelling authenticity that makes entertainment truly captivating. The speaker’s disdain for actors stems from a belief that they rarely portray genuine human emotion or personality, often condescending into mere role-playing rather than genuine embodiment of characters. Interestingly, the acknowledgment that some actors excel only in a subtle, almost negligible way hints at the difficulty of genuine performance, yet also highlights how an exceptional actor inadvertently exposes the artifice of acting itself. When an actor is too good, it becomes obvious that they are 'performing,' which diminishes the illusion of authenticity that engaging stories rely upon. This reflection underscores a perceived disconnect between reality and representation, questioning whether art and performance can ever truly mirror real human experience. The critique resonates deeply with anyone who values sincerity and truth in storytelling and performances, challenging the viewer or audience to consider how much of what is presented on screen or stage is genuine or fabricated. It also raises an intriguing point about the nature of excellence—sometimes, the very mastery that makes an actor outstanding can undermine the effortless authenticity audiences crave. Ultimately, the quote reveals a nuanced perspective on entertainment that values raw, unfiltered truth over polished façades.