George Carlin Dies at 71
George Carlin Dies at 71
One of the great Comedians of our age, George Carlin, has died of heart failure at the age of 71. In my opinion, Carlin had no peers in the world of stand-up comedy. Something he said some years ago sums up his approach to his craft:
I think it's the duty of every comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.
That's pretty much what he strove to do through most of his career. I still look back in fondness at his routine about the seven dirty words you were not permitted to say on TV. From that point on, he staked his claim as the quintessential anti-establishment hero. If I live to be 100, I don't think I'll ever find anyone who so aptly nailed the absurdity and madness of humankind. He may have made you cringe at times, but he was always on the mark.
He set the standard for iconoclastic, edgy practitioners of the comedic arts. There will never be another George Carlin, folks. I think I'll spend a few hours tomorrow watching some of his classic routines -- Religion is Bull**** would be a good start. It doesn't get any better than that.
R.I.P. George.
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Submitted by classic comedy | Comedians | edgy comedy | George Carlin | heart failure | Iconoclast | National and Local News | seven dirty words
Ill miss him. my favorite bit was his seven words you can't say on tv.
I just posted a xombyte and saw this in the list and got teary eyed. My wife and I have seen a bunch of his HBO specials, which makes watching Thomas the Tank Engine that much funnier to whatch. He was the conductor on the pbs series. (for those without kids)
He will be missed. He was controversial, to be sure, but that was all part of his considerable charm. And, let's be honest, He spoke his mind without abandon, without fear, but did so without sounding like he was going to hunt you down if you didn't agree. That deserves respect, and takes guts.
Rest in peace George!
I actually got to see him live at the University of Florida when I was attending school there. He was hilarious. He has always been one of my favorites. And the fact that he could be the narrator of the Thomas the Train (Tank Engine for you Brits) shows his depth.
George Carlin was one of a kind. He will be missed.
Evidentially, I am a little late finding out this news.
George was a personal inspiration to me.
I'm a little shocked. Very sad. Got some water in my eyes.
George proved to me that words are just words and how important it is to be your own person. To fight against the mainstream. Be yourself.
Luckily, I got a chance to watch his stand-up about 6 years ago. Not to mention his latest HBO special was just this year.
Though I wouldn't call him a hero not many people have taken a stand like him. I'll miss him in this world of mediocrity and gross consumerism.
I didn't know that. He was quite a man.
Angel
RobinetteDesign.com
We won't see his likes again in our lifetimes, I sure. Along with Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce, he set the mark by which all others in his field will be measured.
I don't see anyone in the current crop of stand-up comics that even come close to matching his unique wit, honesty, and observational brilliance.
So true, his unique, and hilarious way of telling it like it is will be missed by the many who were not afraid to admit to the truths of life as he told them.
Thanks kjhack for posting this. Since reading about our loss of George Carlin, I can't help wonder if in the Great Beyond, he's not sitting across from Tim Russet, and Alexander Hamilton, and Arron Burr, on an eternal Meet the Press, and giving them all a reason to bust-up laughing...
I remember the first time, back in the 60s, I focused on George Carlin, I was walking through my parents living room, and, here was this weird looking long haired guy talking about television; "...television is one big electronic Red." Well, I sure knew what reds were, seconol(sp?).
I had to take note, of this guy, whoever he was....the grand George Carlin. I will always remember him, and I will miss him...
God Bless you George Carlin! May the Spirits guide your journey!
_______________________
It does matter what you believe, but, what you believe does not matter if you do not act upon your beliefs.
you can not vote on the truth
--Pope John Paul II, 1995
I don't remember his from the 60s, since I was just a wee lad at the time. My first recollection was from the 70s when he had made the transition from short hair, suit and tie, to long hair , jeans, and t-shirt. I believe it was the hippie, dippy, weatherman routine that I first heard.
His commentaries just got more poignant and pointed with time. Some of his best material came in the last decade of his life. That's very rare for any artist.
... with a little bit of Josh Bell thrown in (if I remember that Last Comic Standing guy's name right) as seen in my 'centennial' remembrance of George Carlin.
But--as far as success and comedy goes--the next "George Carlin" would have to be either Lewis Black or Carlos Mencia. (I know that--on a touchy-feely level--'we can never replace George Carlin,' but--as Jerry Seinfeld says--'nothing matters but the comedy!')
With More Devotion to 
than Words Dare Express,
Uncle MythMan
One thing that George Carlin said really stuck with me and I like to bring it up when talking about a slightly less than competent person. He said, "think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are stupider than that!"
He was the definition of a realist. He said it how it was, no candy canes and cotten candy, just real stuff.
Like George Carlin, Lewis Black merely presents the intellectual view of the stupidity, not making a "and thus all are such"-generality like Carlos Mencia's "DEE-DEE-DEEEEEEEEEEEEE." (The subtitle company even includes the note "DEE-DEE-DEE VOICE" when Carlos is talking like a retard.)
Carlos makes the distinction--every season-or-two--that 'he's not making fun of the people, just the "DEE-DEE-DEE" things they do'; but you have to keep track remembering that to keep from getting mad at the generalization inferred.
With More Devotion to NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.voyspace.com/view/5640 than Words Dare Express,
NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.xomba.com/referral/77778740 Uncle MythMan
I don't think either Carlos Mencia or Lewis Black are anywhere near as gifted as Carlin. They may be better than many stand-up comics, but there are an awful lot of mediocre practitioners of the craft out there.
A lot of them get way more respect than they're due. Jerry Seinfeld is probably the most overrated stand-up comic of our generation; yet I still loved his sit-com. His act just never really did it for me, though.
I'm much more of a fan of sketch comedy than stand-up routines, anyway. I loved Mr Show, but just didn't find him that amusing as a solo act.
My opinion: "One less PITA polluting the airwaves."
My opinion also: "Nicely written article through!" +1
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True, George Carlin did present life's "darker" side; but his very presence was a testament to the fact that it's easier to survive the dark if you know the dark.
You might say he a bit of a "fool on the hill,"--like I am-- a Dutch Uncle. He gives you the wisdom: if you take it, he's a sage; if you don't, he's your crazy old uncle.
With More Devotion to NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.voyspace.com/view/5640 than Words Dare Express,
NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.xomba.com/referral/77778740 Uncle MythMan
I'm pretty sure that George Carlin would agree with me that if you are going to insult someone, at least spell right... Good riddance to bad rubbish...instead of good ridens to bad rubish. PLEASE......
So it is written.
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He was the voice of the narrator for many of the Thomas the Tank Engine VHS and DVD's. My son is now 6 but when he was a toddler that is all we watched. He was a great comedian too. He will be missed.
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George could always be depended upon for an entertaining and thought provoking evening. He will not soon be replaced.
Though it may not apply to the loss of George Carlin's new material in Jesus' context, he told us, "There will be wars and rumors of wars; Be not troubled!" (There was some additional stuff there, but it was mostly just lip-service some Happy-Sunshine writer put in to avoid 'upsetting the king-of-the-time.')
I also stop there because that is a commandment of Jesus: *Be Not Troubled (about the stuff too huge for you to touch)!*
Sure, it's sad that he's not putting out anything new (though some people think the last 'new' thing he did was "7 Words You Can't Say on TV"); but a) it's not your fault and b) you can't bring him back (not without a little help - http://www.weshow.com/my/group/Carlinian_Church_of_Reality -), so don't worry about it!
With More Devotion to NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.voyspace.com/view/5640 than Words Dare Express,
NOHTMLALLOWED-http://www.xomba.com/referral/77778740 Uncle MythMan
He once said that "Death was the result of swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time." I think they should write that on his death certificate. He'd probably get a kick out of that!
In memory of George go to www.thehungersite.com click the link and corporate sponsors will pay for 1.1 cups of food for the hungry. It's free to click and takes only a few seconds. Do it every day!
His wisdom and comedy will be greatly missed. Thanks for the great post.
Many Blessings,
Jeannette Brown
http://www.jenettyshome.com
http://www.freedomathometeam.com/jeannetteb
True, his wisdom may only be 'a shadow of the past' upon review; but it's still new to those who haven't seen/reviewed it before!
With More Devotion to 'HotGirl33705' than Words Dare Express,
Uncle MythMan
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George invented one of the best names ever for a kid--or maybe a cat.
He set me on my way, as a teenager, to becoming an anti-establishment, free-thinking, and open-minded adult. In turn, I have raised my children in this same manner. The world just isn't as funny anymore. I am quite sad. But, happy that he was here for a time and influenced me as he did. Thanks to George Carlin, the 5-second rule turned into the 10-second rule for me. The dirtier the better!! Gotta make that immune system STRONG!! RIP George, hope to see you next time!
Ol' George was not afraid to tip over a few sacred cows along his comedic journey. Who else tore into religion the way he did?
Thanks for all the comments, everyone. :)
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