Normally I start my day every morning (or actually afternoon) by logging on to the internet and I usually just browse the headlines to see if anything piques my interest. And today before I checked my email I see one of my favorite people ever and arguably the funniest man ever died. For the people who don't know it's George Carlin, the man I've seen referred to in several articles this morning as a counterculture hero. Famous for his bits such as the 7 words you can't say on TV, differences between baseball and football and his rants on topics such as the soft language of today and religion.He was 71 and performed just last week, he looked to be in better shape in his last HBO special then his one before that. He had a history of heart and drug problems (including cocaine in the 70's) and checked himself into rehab several years ago for prescription drugs. He died of heart failure.
He also was the 1st host of Saturday Night Live and Mad TV and was on the long time TV show Shining Time Station that was seen by millions of kids. He also starred in movies like Dogma, Bill and Ted, and Cars. He also had 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials (including one as recently as March) and 3 best selling books.
The thing that I respected him the most is that he always told it like it is, wasn't afraid of authority, as evidenced by his 7 words you can't say on TV bit that got him arrested in Milwaukee. And here it is for those who have never seen it:
And now that he's died he'll complete the Mt. Rushmore of comedians along with Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks. The 1st 3 are shoe-ins maybe Hicks is up for debate but for social commentary Hicks is at the top of the list.
He had just completed his 50th year in comedy and was slated to receive the Mark Twain award in American humor in November. He had won 4 Grammy's and has been cited by numerous people as being a big influence in the comedy world.
He was always pushing the envelope, causing people to think and question themselves and society. And though it almost cost him in his early career proved to have been the best decision he ever made, playing sold out concert halls and plenty of other venues. Here's a snippet of George Carlin's views on how language has softened over the years:
The man was also a linguist, just evidenced by his poem "Modern Man" or baseball vs. football or the 7 words bit. He was also never afraid to give his opinion on society and the deterioration of man. "I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas," he once said in a 2001 interview. No one will ever come close to his variety either constantly reinventing himself and finding new ways to present material, you could literally watch his entire collection of standup and find very few similarities in his performances. But at the same time they were all structured perfectly timed and executed to present joke after joke that could leave you laughing for hours and hours. I'm just lucky to have had the privilege to see George back in November when visiting my friend in Missourri. I leave you with a couple more bits that I liked including one on baseball vs. football
Here are some other articles on Carlin's death:
AP article about George
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_GEORGE_CARLIN?SITE=TXDAM&TEMPLATE=ENTERTAINMENT_GL.html
Picture gallery chronicling Carlin
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20208391,00.html
Time article on George
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1817192,00.html?cnn=yes
Interview with Larry King on Carlin
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/06/23/larryking.carlin/index.html
Lastly I just hope kids more my age can get to know and love George Carlin for what he was, a great comedian and person. It sickens me to know that some kids may think Dane Cook might be the funniest person they know when in truth he's a hack and a thief. But people these days seem to not give a damn about stuff like morals and values they just want a cheap laugh, and never giving some guy before there time a chance at all.
RIP George wherever the hell you are, I'll pray to Joe Pesci for you tonight.
