"My idol was Jack Benny and he was the master of subtlety and timing"

In this quote, Don Knotts reveals deep adoration for Jack Benny, highlighting two essential attributes: subtlety and timing. This admiration speaks volumes about the impact Jack Benny had on Knotts' own comical style and profession.

Jack Benny was a pioneering figure in American home entertainment, renowned for his comic genius, particularly his remarkable capability to provide humor with grace and accuracy. Subtlety, in this context, describes Benny's skill for nuanced comedy, where he could derive laughter not from overt gags or slapstick, however through downplayed expressions, gestures, and a typically deadpan shipment. His humor typically lay in what he didn't state, the pauses, the raised eyebrows, or the slow-burning response, welcoming the audience to appreciate the fine-tuned art of comedic restraint.

Timing is another critical aspect in Benny's design, underscored by Knotts' quote. Funny significantly depends on timing to maximize effect; a punchline delivered a 2nd too early or too late can fail. Benny's impressive sense of timing allowed him to control the rhythm and speed of his performances, building anticipation and taking full advantage of the comical effect. This mastery of timing is perhaps why he appealed so greatly to Knotts, whose own performances in shows like "The Andy Griffith Show" were commemorated for comparable finesse. Knotts most likely saw in Benny a plan of how to create humor that withstands beyond a single laugh, affecting moments of iconic television history with his own well-timed and discreetly provided lines.

In essence, Knotts' quote is a testimony to the extensive effect Jack Benny had not simply on him, however on the bigger realm of comedic efficiency. It is a nod to an age where comedy was an art kind rooted in the proficiency of subtleties, where every time out and look was diligently determined to leave an enduring comical impression. Don Knotts' respect for Benny highlights the timeless worth of downplayed, well-timed humor, a tradition that continues to echo in comical circles today.