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George Carlin, quite possibly the most influential, memorable stand-up comedians of all-time, has passed away.
I recall getting HBO as a kid, when the channel was still in its infancy, excited to finally have uncut movies at home. What I’d soon learn is that HBO wasn’t just about movies, though — Their “One Night Stand” and similar programming were among the first to bring the art of stand-up comedy to the masses. Keep in mind, this is years before the concept of “Comedy Central” was thought up. So whose would be the first stand-up routine I’d ever see? None other than George Carlin. I believe it was the “stuff” routine that got me hooked, though his most famous, the “Seven Dirty Words”, also rose to fame in that era, and remains cited and quoted even today. I became a stand-up junkie, and Carlin was a big reason.Carlin became a member of the View Askew family back in 1998 during the filming of Dogma — 10 years ago. Following his role as Cardinal Glick, one of the largest of his film career, he re-appeared for a hilarious cameo in “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back”. While he went on to do voice work in a few movies afterward, his final big screen live appearance was in 2004’s “Jersey Girl”, where he played Bart Trinke, father to Ben Affleck’s character, in another substantial role.
It’s hard to imagine that we’ll ever see another comedian as brilliant and groundbreaking as George Carlin in our time, quite possibly ever again. What he did transcended just taking the stage and spouting one-liners. His routines managed to be topical, poignant, insightful, controversial, and absolutely hilarious — all at the same time. The man was a pioneer and a genius, a master of his trade, and will be missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him or his work. Our deepest condolences to the friends, family, and fans of this legendary talent. Rest in peace, George. You will be missed.
Thanks to all who wrote in with the scoop and condolences, the list is way too long to list you all. The talkbacks are a great place to express your thoughts on this brilliant man.
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June 23, 2008 at 13:24
I recall getting my first GC album as a youth and that it had been a particularly bad year for me. I laughed so hard I cried, funny how he can make a man cry from joy and laughter. Now I can only mourn the loss of one of our world’s wise men. To me it’s like the passing of Gandhi, MLK or others of that caliber. Funny that I will have to mourn him more than my own father, since like he my father was not there.
Hey George, when you stand before our maker, tell him a joke that will make him laugh so hard he’ll cry; we can use the rain here in NorCal.
June 23, 2008 at 13:51
George was a man who I learned a lot from, whether comedy, wit, use of words, the ills of religion, or the craziness of the world around me. He will be missed, but I’m glad to say that I’ve been able to enjoy his art and see him a few times live as well. Rest in Peace, brother!
~Dan
http://jazzsick.wordpress.com/
June 23, 2008 at 18:06
Hello Folks, it is raining like shit out here in Hudson, Massachusetts, it is appropriate that it is a shitty day weather wise, as I find out that a genius of comedy, George Carlin left all of us forever last night. I got to see him in concert at the University of Maine in Orono about 15 years ago. He was so awesome and thoughtful. His observations about everything really struck a nerve in me and I try to write like that as much as possible. As I pursue my Screenwriting goals, I want to pause a moment and consider wisdom from a gifted Comedian/Writer. What is so scared about life? You start out as a tiny being who grows up to be a fucked up adult and then die, go to Heaven or Hell, while your body composes in the ground or burned to ash. I send my condolences to George Carlin’s family at this sad time. Know this, we will ALL get to see him again wherever souls go to rest. We can mourn for now but life has to continue. No fucking shit, sherlock, next you tell me there is a Heaven. I like to think there is, my Dad is up there already. Anyway, god bless George Carlin, no future Kevin Smith movie will be complete without your wit!!!!!
Mark McLaughlin / marknetproductions.wordpress.com / Hudson, MA, USA
June 23, 2008 at 19:13
George and Brenda, together again…
June 23, 2008 at 19:16
I meant to say sacred, ha ha, i caught my typo there…
George, may you rest well in hell, limbo, or heaven!!!
June 23, 2008 at 21:07
I posted a great video of George on the topic of religion — I of course used a screenshot of George as Cardinal Glick: http://www.wisdumb.com/blog/?p=218
June 23, 2008 at 21:46
I really knew George Carlin best from seeing him in Kevin’s films but I once dated a girl with a day-by-day George Carlin joke calender in her bathroom. Every time I’d go to her house I’d ask to use her restroom and just sit on the pot laughing my ass off hoping that the fan would cover up the noise. I think that relationship would have ended sooner if I would have been able to get through all 365 jokes in less bathroom trips.
June 24, 2008 at 00:38
Well spoken. Rest in peace, George!
June 24, 2008 at 09:33
My first exposure to George Carlin was his second HBO special. After that, I picked up Occupation: Foole and Toledo Window Box. My best friend and I were lucky enough to see him live on two successive occasions, probably 1976 and 1977.
The last time I saw him live was in 1982 - not one of his best shows, but by all accounts that would have coincided with a period of heavy drug use - and I didn’t listen to his records much after that, but I “rediscovered” him with What Am I Doing in New Jersey? in 1989.
In his last two decades as a comedian (though the word just doesn’t seem adequate for what Carlin did), he found his true voice. He still mixed commentary and observations with pure silliness and crudeness, but seemed more focused, and more fearless. And, even when you didn’t agree with what he was saying (though I usually did), there was no doubt that his comments were reasoned and well thought out.
Jammin’ in New York is the album I go back to the most (in fact, I was just watching the video again a few days ago), with You Are All Diseased a close second.
Joe bless George Carlin.
June 24, 2008 at 10:40
I remember when i was younger speaking my dads tapes of Carlin to listen to them. I’ve seen all the hbo specials and have all the albums. Last year I got the chance to go see him and it was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen in person.I bought the incomplete list of impolite words poster and hung it on my wall when i got home. Now when people come over they almost always spend a few minutes reading it and laughing. Its really sad knowing that the material he was working when I saw him won’t make it to tv because it was some great stuff.
June 24, 2008 at 14:02
While my first comedic exposure to George Carlin was really in Dogma, although I was aware he was a comedian I am only 20 years old and never had a chance to see alot of his Stand Up on HBO, but my first real exposure to him was as a child. One role that everyone seems to forget, and maybe they should, and maybe George hated he had to do it, I do not know the reasoning or situation that he was on this show but no one seems to be mentioning his role as Mr Conductor on Shining Time Station. I was only 3 years old when he did his two year stint on the kids show was the first time I had ever seen him. I really think seeing that as a child and later in life hearing his fowl mouth really was a shock and made him even better. He also opened my eyes that alot of what I saw as a kid was bullshit and that makes me laugh even more.
June 24, 2008 at 21:03
My first exposure to Mr. Carlin was in the Bill & Ted movies, but since I was like six when the first one came out, guess it alright. After that, became anotherdevotee of his, recently bought all the HBO specials on dvd a few days before ‘It’s Bad For Ya’ debuted, the guy was a wordsmith and a revolutionary, will forever be missed.
June 24, 2008 at 23:03
I only found out this morning that one of America’s, scratch that, one of the world’s finest comedians has just passed away, last Sunday, 22nd July.
George Carlin, as seen in a variety of ViewAskew films including: Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Jersey Girl, but famous for his archive of live comedy albums (including the ever brilliant Class Clown), suffered from a fatal heart attack.
Carlin was reknowned for his low brow humour towards politics, religion, sexuality and censorship, however he was always considered fair and in many instances, quite correct. This was a man who on screen, on stage or even behind the scenes was just full of vibrance, life and charisma. He was a poet in his own right and just an extremely likeable guy.
My deepest regret is never being able to meet him or even see him of screen, as this is a man who’s humour opened my eyes and made me laugh at the controversial, not unlike Kevin Smith, whom he worked with on many occasions.
There could be no tribute made to Carlin that whether be truly worthy, but my heart is with ViewAskew, the fans and of course, the Carlin family.
Thanks for the laughs, George
Rest In Peace