I’ve always been a big fan of George Carlin. I own both of his books, several of his albums and have even seen him perform live. I don’t think I’m going to far when I describe him as sort of a hero of mine. Naturally, I’ve been eagerly awaiting his next live HBO special which was scheduled to air next month.
Anyway, I just found out that the title of his upcoming special (his 13th I think) was going to be “I Kinda Like It When a Lotta People Die”. In light of recent events, I’ve got to say, “Whoa.” If memory serves, this concert was going to be broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
This has caused me to completely reevaluate my feelings toward George. A month ago I think I might have found the title funny - but now…
What do you all think about Carlin’s particular brand of humor with respect to the events of Sept. 11th? One of my favorite Carlin quotes was, “We’re all fucked. It helps to remember that.” I used to think that was really funny.
I’ve been a Carlin fan for over 25 years. It seems that that sometime in the late 80’s-early90’ he got very bitter towards everything. I could listen to him for hours talking about words or dogs or any of the usual BS regular people put up with on a daily basis. When he got mean, though, he got unfunny. I saw him on Leno a few months ago and he appeared to be going back to the humor we’re used to hearing from him. Just a WAG, I think he got mean when his wife became ill.
Honestly, it hasn’t changed my opinion of George any. I met him once, and he was a supernice guy. I don’t think that has changed. While most people would change the name of their appearance, I doubt George will. Let’s face it. People go through pain and suffering every day, and no one is better at making people face that truth with the ability to smile better than George Carlin.
I’ve seen him perform on TV a couple of times. The first time being the most memorable. I was in stitches non-stop and have considered him a god ever since. George Carlin, you are a god. Not THE God, but close.
I think his old material is absolutely great. But the recent stuff gets worse and worse. I won’t even watch his new material. I think it was his show “You Are All Diseased” (was that the name?) that clinched it for me.
He seems like a real ass now. Seems like most of the laughter he gets now is out of respect for his older material.
If he were on the internet, he’d be the King Troll just looking to piss everyone off.
I too am a Carlin fan, and have been since his days as the “Hippy-Dippy Weatherman”, which dates me somewhat :o.
I think of him as a humorous philosopher, who tends to say things we would not dare say in mixed company, but I hope he re-thinks the title of his next concert. Of course, this may mean he will have to re-write a lot of the material inherent in this concert, don’t you think?
Yeah, George tends to “push the envelope” with his comedy, but this time he could piss a lot of people off, I agree.
I think many times people laugh when they feel uncomfortable, and that’s what Carlin does–makes people uncomfortable because he says what many are thinking, but no one else dares to speak, such as the title of the aformentioned upcoming show.
I agree that he changed a little when his wife became ill and, unfortunately died, however on Larry King awhile ago he mentioned that he has remarried. I think that has gotten him to lighten up a little.
I was flipping channels the other day and was shocked to see Carlin playing a gay neighbor type character in the movie Prince of Tides!! (had never watch the flick before.)
I, too, grew up on Carlin in the early 70’s. He was a big hero of mine. I’d go so far as to say that he was a major influence on my sense of humor…perhaps even on my outlook on life. But I agree with what several before me have said:
At some point he just got bitterly resentful…and, in my opinion, lost his sense of humor. I hope it’s true that he’s getting back to his old self…at one time, he was pure comic genius.
“Tonight’s forecast: dark. Continued mostly dark tonight, changing to widely scattered light in the morning.”
–Al Sleet (your hippy dippy weatherman)
I totally agree that George’s comedy was getting more and more bitter and cynical as the years went on. The scary part is that I went along for the ride. Since the attacks I realize that in the last couple of years I’ve become more bitter and cynical and I’m beginning to think that maybe that wasn’t so good. Not that it’s George’s fault I became that way - - I just wonder if George has had a similar reaction and if so, how much material he’s dumped or reworked in the wake of the attacks?
P.S. We all remember and love the hippy dippy weatherman. Are we all really old or what? ;0
I always thought of him as bitter, mean and unfunny, because I had only been exposed to his later stuff. Then a friend made me watch some earlier tapes and I realized that he had been really sharp, smart and funny. At one time.
His nasty bitter spewing was unfunny regardless of the circumstances. If he can get his mojo working and bring back some of the smarts of his earlier work, more power to him.
Count me in as well – “The Seven Words You Can’t Say On Television” remains, for me, the definite example of Carlin at his best. He can be very insightful and funny, but his latest bits of bad-tempered nastiness has really turned me off. I’d be interested to know if he’s really gotten back to the old groove.
I agree with the previous postings. It also didn’t help that his humor doesn’t translate well to books. I read “Braindroppings,” and on the page the stuff sounds even sourer and just plain nasty.
Carlin always had a good eye for the inanities and hypocrisities of society, a great way to mix a laugh and a thoughtful observation (Early bit: "I was fired from the Desert Inn. In Las Vegas. For saying “s***.” In a town where the biggest game is called craps. . . . I’ll bet there was some big Texan in the casino saying, “AW S*** I CRAPPED.”)
I hope he’s feeling better. He split my sides more than once on his records.
dubbele - Thanks. I had forgotten about that one. Pretty brilliant in retrospect. I find out now that the original HBO special title was decided upon long before Sept. 11th. Apparently, he is changing it.
I disagree with almost everyone apparently. I really like his bitter, mean stuff. Sure it would be annoying if that was all it was, but the man’s always gotta’ punchline. His jeering persona has always been a breath of fresh air for me in these eager to please times. I also think it’s funny to hear somebody laugh uproariously as Carlin’s making fun of something stupid and then stop dead when Carlin makes fun of something they enjoy. (And he’s got something to offend everybody.)
Sure I love it when he’s goofy, but I also love it when he’s being a bitter, old cynic. (“Jesus. He’s not gonna’ attack children is he?”)
I also think that if you haven’t seen him live, jump at the first chance you get. The only problem is that he has a fixed routine of jokes that he pretty much plays note for note. So if you’re a big fan of the CD’s, you’ve already heard them all before. But when he hits his new material, whoo boy! There was this bit about enemas. . .
