That is the godawful thing about television today. Performers don't have any place to hit and miss. You're either in or you're out; you don't have a chance to become good at your craft. If you make three pictures in a row and they don't go over, you're out of the business.

In this quote, Donald O'Connor, an iconic actor and dancer, critiques the modern landscape of television and the entertainment industry. He laments that performers today do not have the opportunity to hit and miss, meaning they don’t have the space to fail and learn from their mistakes. O'Connor points out that in today's world, you're either in—meaning you succeed—or you're out, meaning you're quickly discarded if you don't consistently perform well.

The quote highlights the pressure placed on performers in the entertainment industry, where success is often expected immediately. O'Connor contrasts this with the past, when actors had more opportunities to refine their craft over time, even if they experienced failures along the way. In earlier days, performers had the chance to grow through experience and practice, with more room to develop their skills without the immediate threat of being dismissed.

O'Connor's frustration also reveals a concern about the nature of modern entertainment, where the focus is more on instant success rather than artistic growth. He believes that the fast-paced nature of today’s industry, where quick success is demanded, prevents actors and performers from truly honing their craft and evolving into better artists. The pressure to produce immediately successful results limits the space for experimentation and improvement.

Ultimately, O'Connor’s quote speaks to the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry, where the emphasis on immediate success has overshadowed the importance of development and learning. It serves as a critique of an industry that may no longer support long-term growth, which he believes is essential for the creation of truly great performances.