"People don't understand that that's really what it is. They're looking for a magic phone number or something. And to a certain extent, I understand that, because comedy is treated so much as a stepping stone by a lot of people"

This quote by Todd Barry speaks to the idea that many people see comedy as a way to an end, instead of an art kind in and of itself. He recommends that individuals are looking for a "magic telephone number" or some other quick repair to success in funny, when in truth, it takes hard work and devotion to end up being effective. He acknowledges that this is easy to understand, as comedy is typically seen as a stepping stone to other forms of entertainment. However, he emphasizes that it is necessary to recognize the value of comedy as an art type, and to put in the effort to make it successful.