Presumably everyone who visits the Little Darlings forum ignores this advice and has concluded he was wrong. I, for one, work with children AND animals on a daily basis and find it no more difficult than any other audience. Perhaps he had a bad experience (like we all have had I'm sure). Since WC Fields was an admitted alcoholic, I guess we can be glad he did not work with children more often!

Or do you think there is some truth in his words?

WC worked with both children and animals in his films.

I love working with both.

During October, I returned to work a pumpkin patch event.

Oh what fun it is to work with a goat. No kidding around, the force (card) is with them.

Regarding addiction and alcoholism, this is a real issue within and outside the entertainment world.

If comedy is the best medicine, how come so many of the comedy heroes had difficulty with booze?
One answer is that Fame is only Fame from a distance.

Harris
aka dr. laugh 4u

FYI guys... regardless of what you might think, animals and children always steal your show. Nobody in their right mind sitting in the audience will put you above them. In spite of W.C. Fields' true character, or his personna, at least his ego understood that.

I think you right Michael, and if you ever did try to outdo them, either would eat you alive.

Tom

Silly Billy uses children in his shows. I see it gave him no problem.

Siegfried and Roy worked with animals. It did help out with their performances.

The quote should be "Never work with animals or children...if you have no interest or desire."

Be careful they both bite.lol

I believe what Michael, Tom and W.C. are trying to express is "don't work with children or animals IF you want to be the star" -they will nearly always take that from you. In my experience, that is true.

In my experience, it depends on the presentation.

Yes, that's exactly what I was saying. Presentation has nothing to do with it. Of course, it is YOUR show. But, animals and children will always upstage an adult performer, regardless of what they do. They are the underdogs with the upper hand. If you don't believe that, test the audience's sympathies and see where they lay.

My take on kids, animals and puppets went the same route as how I view hecklers.

It is not me against them, it is our show.

Harris
still 2 old to know everything

Yes I too thought the quote was saying, never work with animals or children, because they would outperform you.

Of course I do agree with Ken's point, working with kids and animals is not for everybody. Some shouldn't even try.

But what makes me think that W.C. Fields didn't mean it the way it sounds is, he also said:

"If I can make them laugh and through that laughter make this old world seem just a little brighter, then I am satisfied."

Tom