I have a great job writing for 'The Office,' but, really, all television writers do is dream of one day writing movies. I'll put it this way: At the Oscars the most famous person in the room is, like, Angelina Jolie. At the Emmys the huge exciting celebrity is Bethenny Frankel. You get what I mean.

In this quote, Mindy Kaling, a writer and actress best known for her work on The Office, reflects on the hierarchy of status and recognition within the entertainment industry. While acknowledging her “great job” in television writing, she candidly reveals that many in her field ultimately aspire to write for film. Her statement points to a broader perception in Hollywood that movies carry more prestige and cultural weight than television, especially when it comes to industry recognition.

Kaling illustrates this divide through a humorous comparison of celebrity visibility at major award shows. At the Oscars, the pinnacle of the film world, the “most famous person” might be someone like Angelina Jolie—a global icon. Meanwhile, at the Emmys, which honor television, the biggest celebrity could be someone like Bethenny Frankel, a reality TV personality. The contrast is exaggerated for comedic effect, but it underscores her point: even though TV can be critically acclaimed and widely watched, it often plays second fiddle to film in terms of glamour and status.

The quote also reveals Kaling’s sharp sense of humor and self-awareness. She doesn’t dismiss television but acknowledges its place in the cultural hierarchy of entertainment. Her commentary subtly critiques the industry's obsession with celebrity rankings and the sometimes arbitrary distinctions between forms of creative work.

This quote likely comes from one of Kaling’s interviews or essays, possibly featured in her memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?. As someone who successfully transitioned from TV writing to acting and later into film and production, Kaling offers an insider’s perspective on the ambitions, insecurity, and aspirations that often fuel creatives in Hollywood. Her words reflect both the humility of starting in television and the drive to break into more traditionally “glamorous” storytelling formats.