Monday, May 16, 2011

I miss George Carlin

Once upon a time, comedians were funny. More than funny. They were right about how screwed up the system was. Today John Stewart and a whole list of writers at the Daily show do this on a daily basis but before them there was George

 George Denis Patrick Carlin. Born May 12th 1937 and died June 22 of 2008. A giant in comedy. A wordmeister. A provocateur. A sensible man.  George started his career in the 60's but grew disenchanted with the style of comedy he was doing (clean cut) and reinvented himself. He then had a long (albiet a rocky) career in comedy.

So few words can be said to sum up this mans life. He died a couple of years ago yet i still feel his impact. I cannot help but to wonder why i dont find any comedian of my generation funny. Is it because some of they do what they do for shock value? Or because they just want that quick laugh? or perhaps they just appeal to a certian eithnic audience.

I think there are so many times some one can say " Hallelujer" or "Get ir Done" before it isn't funny anymore. Having a character or a catchphrase dooms your comedy because thats all that people want to see. Sure, George had the "Al Sleet the hippie dippie weatherman" character but the character was used as a representation or satire of a world he was living in. He didn't do "The Seven Dirty words you can't say on TV" as shock value, he did it as an observation. Nor did he, a Irish Catholic, question the Church he belonged to. Every time he questioned them-he did so because he wanted to know why. Not because he wanted to shock.

Take note Sarah Silverman.

I miss him not only because he was funny- but because he was smart. And not in the snooty way-likeBill Maher. I miss him because he taught us things. About ourselves and eachother.

There will never be another George. Rest in Peace.

(I bet you he is looking up at us from hell and enjoying the view)

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