Yesterday the world lost one of the iconic comedic observers of the boomer generation of the 1960s. George Denis Patrick Carlin passed away of heart failure at the age of 71.
Carlin was perhaps most famous for his routine, "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television", protesting censorship. A lawsuit against Carlin went all the way up to the Supreme Court, which upheld the FCC's right to regulate the content on the air waves.
Carlin's hippie clothing and pony tail kept him from getting many bookings in the early days, but eventually became accepted as his signature look. One of his popular characters was "Al Sleet, the Hippie Dippie Weather Man" ("Widespread darkness tonight, giving way to gradual lightening towards morning...")
George Carlin was a prolific writer, putting his observations on radio, TV, books, movies and live performances. Example: "Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?"
He will be missed.
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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I loved George Carlin. He was a genious.
Ditto to Lenn. Loved Carlin, I could listen to his banter all day long. As a genious now rests, we're left with only nostalgia.
One of my favorite routine was his one on having "stuff" and "more stuff" and buying bigger places so we could buy "more stuff"
He always took the very human and ordinary and made you look at it in a very different way. The best comedians always do.
Hi Brian...I was especially impressed with George Carlin's view of the world and his quick, quick caustic wit. I must confess I was not enamored with his language very often. He was so good that he didn't need to dilute the impact of his opinion with four letter words.
That being said, he certainly had a gift to see through phonieness and "spin." Never thought of him as a boomer icon as he is was my exact age...71, and I sure am not a boomer. Many of Carlin's peers appreciated him as well. I am so glad that those younger than me thought he had a gift also.
Kathleen
Thanks for the tribute, Brian! I know a friend of mine will be particularly upset because he was hoping to see George live this summer. He will certainly be missed.
Yes, the world has lost a very thought provocking comedian. I really enjoyed listening to his skits.
Sean Allen
Brian, I was so sad to hear of his death, I had been fortunate enough to see his "act" when he was onstage several times in New York. I loved that line you used and remembered it well with his question: "If you had 24 odd and ends on a shelf and 23 fall off, what would you have left---an ODD or an END?" It is a very sad loss.
Hi Brian...Carlin was one of the few comedians I really enjoyed...his mind had a certain logical twist! He definately made me laugh and the profanity never got in the way as it often does with me..
Brian - I enjoyed George Carlin, he was witty and made one think. Now, the only one left with a similar perspective is Carlos Mencia.
I had just done a blog last week referencing his 7 Words as a segue into words we shouldn't use in listings, targeting FSBO's.
Brian,
It's strange how I remember him as being so young...I can't even imagine that he ever grew old. Similarly when I've seen Neil Young on screen lately....he seems so old. For some reason I always imagine these icons as being timeless, which they are, however I forget that their bodies are mortal and age like everyone else's. Sometimes they even age faster due to their stressful and fast lifestyle.
I'm very saddened to hear of his passing.
Jo
Lenn, I was quite fond of him, too. I especially loved how he thought about the use of words - which happens to be a passion of my own.
Jason, he definitely was a genius. In a way, some of Jerry Seinfeld's monologues on everyday observations remind me of Carlin.
Elaine, I remember the routine about having stuff, and having to buy a bigger place to put your stuff. Good stuff!
Kathleen, I probably didn't put the generation thing as clearly as I might have. Although he was older than us, in the late 1960s he was definitely a symbol to us of baby boomer rebellion!
January Financial, I'm sorry your friend won't get to see the concert. I read that in recent years he hadn't been performing much anyway due to his health.
Sean, he definitely was thought-provoking.
Carole, I never got to see him perform live. I would have loved to if I had the chance.
Joan, for some reason, when he used the profanity, it didn't bother me like with some other comedians. With Carlin, the profanity was sometimes actually part of the meaning of the monologue, as opposed to just being used gratuitously.
Mike, I looked through your posts for the seven words you shouldn't use in listings, but couldn't find it. Sounds interesting.
Jo, I wasn't surprised at the way he looked, because he continued to perform through the years in so many venues. Maybe hard living had something to do with his aging - I don't know. BTW, Neil Young may not look so young any more - but he still has the same sound that made him famous!
Brian - that was on my local real estate blog, not on Active Rain. thanks for trying to find it.
He sure will be missed! What a legend! No aires....just real...him.
Good night, Sweet Prince!
Sally, no one could ever complain that he put on airs! I can't even remember him ever wearing a shirt with a collar...
Israel, well said.
I remember when I first saw George Carlin. I was 14 and had just moved back to the US and HBO was relatively new.....saw his 'Seven Words'. Wow was that funny! One of my regrets is not seeing him in person.
Tchaka, I think I probably first saw him on Johnny Carson. I'm still cracking up as I watch the retrospective videos going up around the net. Carlin was voted the second best comedian of all time by a survey of comedians - behind only Richard Prior.
Brian, I have often regaled my sons with my rendition of the hippie dippie weather man. I can't believe he's gone! He was a very funny man and the world is a quieter place without him. Thanks for the tribute.
Susan, thanks for commenting. You're right, it won't be quite the same without Carlin, although comedians like Steven Colbert and Jerry Seinfeld have been influenced by him, and in a way continue his tradition of satire.