"My definition of an intellectual is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger"

In this quote, comic Billy Connolly is sharing his personal definition of an intellectual. He believes that an intellectual is somebody who is able to listen to the William Tell Overture, a famous classical music piece, without right away associating it with the popular TV program, The Lone Ranger. This declaration might appear humorous, however it really holds a much deeper significance. Connolly is recommending that an intellectual is someone who is able to value and understand something for its own benefit, instead of being affected by outside associations or distractions. In other words, an intellectual is somebody who can think seriously and individually, without being swayed by external influences.