To be perfectly honest, I think that was a terrible video to pick from, since when I heard that rant right there it was when I realized Carlin had stopped being funny and just sounded like a crazy old man with paranoid delusions. :(
That being said, I've found him to be hilarious in the past and it's indeed sad that he's no longer with us.
I agree that the later years were George Carlin's most bitter, and that a lot of his comedy during that period was more like commentary.
But I think he really paved the way through that brand of humor for "political" comics like Bill Maher, Jon Stewart -- hell, even newscaster Keith Olbermann.
"I agree that the later years were George Carlin's most bitter, and that a lot of his comedy during that period was more like commentary."
Agreed. He went all the way from comedy to witty commentary a few years back. No less entertaining to me, but he was definitely not "for" the comedy club set that wants junk food humor sets thrown at them for an hour or two.
A great talent whether you agreed with him or not. He definitely did not fuck around, and amazingly was able to pull off crossing the line over and over in what's become an increasingly over-sensitive society.
his bit on the abuse of the word "shell-shock" is a classic of humor and commentary, and to me sums up everything he railed against in his life and career.
i agree, at some point, he became so bitter, so devoid of hope, that his humor--to me--became impossible to listen to, it was swallowing battery acid. there weren't jokes any more, or even an attempt at them.
but from the early 70s til around the mid 90s, he was THE MAN.
What stood out to me from his routines was his commentary on what you can and can't joke about. He felt that anything could be funny, depending on how you construct the joke. (I know I'll never look at Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig the same way again.)
How people say things is just as important as (if not more important than) what they are actually saying.
He's the first comedian I can remember who often stressed not just the importance of language, but the importance of recognizing bullshit language.
He had a great effect on me, and i"ll mis him a lot. I actually had the chance to interview him a number of years ago -- it was a pleasure to talk with one of my heroes.
This just broke my heart. He is one of the celebrities I had hoped would live forever.
ReplyDeleteHe'll be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteTo be perfectly honest, I think that was a terrible video to pick from, since when I heard that rant right there it was when I realized Carlin had stopped being funny and just sounded like a crazy old man with paranoid delusions. :(
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I've found him to be hilarious in the past and it's indeed sad that he's no longer with us.
I'm devastated. I was just listening to his Baseball/Football routine the other day. I wish now I'd bought his DVD collection when he was still alive.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the later years were George Carlin's most bitter, and that a lot of his comedy during that period was more like commentary.
ReplyDeleteBut I think he really paved the way through that brand of humor for "political" comics like Bill Maher, Jon Stewart -- hell, even newscaster Keith Olbermann.
"I agree that the later years were George Carlin's most bitter, and that a lot of his comedy during that period was more like commentary."
ReplyDeleteAgreed. He went all the way from comedy to witty commentary a few years back. No less entertaining to me, but he was definitely not "for" the comedy club set that wants junk food humor sets thrown at them for an hour or two.
A great talent whether you agreed with him or not. He definitely did not fuck around, and amazingly was able to pull off crossing the line over and over in what's become an increasingly over-sensitive society.
his bit on the abuse of the word "shell-shock" is a classic of humor and commentary, and to me sums up everything he railed against in his life and career.
ReplyDeletei agree, at some point, he became so bitter, so devoid of hope, that his humor--to me--became impossible to listen to, it was swallowing battery acid. there weren't jokes any more, or even an attempt at them.
but from the early 70s til around the mid 90s, he was THE MAN.
What stood out to me from his routines was his commentary on what you can and can't joke about. He felt that anything could be funny, depending on how you construct the joke. (I know I'll never look at Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig the same way again.)
ReplyDeleteHow people say things is just as important as (if not more important than) what they are actually saying.
He's the first comedian I can remember who often stressed not just the importance of language, but the importance of recognizing bullshit language.
He should be taught in English classes.
Amen to that, Scale.
ReplyDeleteHe had a great effect on me, and i"ll mis him a lot. I actually had the chance to interview him a number of years ago -- it was a pleasure to talk with one of my heroes.