Remembrances
George Carlin
I was doing my laundry yesterday morning and I pulled my George Carlin t-shirt out of the dryer. I bought it at a gig he did nearby last year, a gig that I scored front row seats for. The four of us who went were stoked to be sitting that close and I think I was a little awestruck to be there in the same room as this man who I respect so much.
The back of the shirt says “Jesus is coming, look busy.” I have worn it to work a few times, wearing a hoodie in case anyone would be offended by that statement. The new dress code at work has come out, and says to “use your better judgment”, so as I folded that shirt yesterday, I sadly thought about how it was unlikely I’d be wearing it again until the weather was colder and the hoodies can come out again.
I woke up this morning and clicked on my blogfeeds. And there was the news: George Carlin Dead at 71. I seriously did a “No FUCKING way is George Carlin dead!” before I started to cry. Then I texted TLo.
George Carlin is someone that says a lot of funny shit, and most of it is funny because it’s true. You probably know him; your parents know him… it’s possible that your grandparents know him (I’m pretty sure Nanny watched his standup back in the day). Pop culture would not be the same without the man - imagine Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure without Rufus. Kevin Smith used him in three movies. There’s way more on Carlin’s resume; go do a Google search and educate yourself.
Tonight, after work, a tribute is only appropriate. Will have to see which comedy shows we have on DVD and rock them out.
I’m sad today. Thank you, George, for making me laugh and for making me think.
Discussion
8 comments for “George Carlin”
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I am so sad. He is my favorite comedian.
How can he die and Gallagher can go on, I ask you! :)
In all seriousness, I was just listening to an interview with Carlin on NPR, where he was talking about death and how he has absolutely no fear. Not a religious person, he was talking about how his sense of peace with the world stems from his belief that he is a part of the universe, recycled atoms from a star, and that the universe is him, and he the universe, in human form or not. I welled up, partially because he is gone, and partially because what he said was so incredibly beautiful.
George Carlin was a brilliant comedian, but so much more. He was a linguist, a philosopher, an academic, a funny motherfucker, and the most punk rock old man ever.
He is one-of-a-kind, and I will miss his genius…
Mister Conductor :’(
/end obscure reference
People are avoiding commenting on this one like the plague!!!!
Better make the next blog all about dick and fart jokes!
@TLo - At Pearl Jam last night, they had those stupid text screens. I put up “Play La Bamba” and “Hillary for Prez in 2012!”… anyway, a couple texters paid homage to George, and there was applause. And Ed dedicated “Do the Evolution” to him, too. I say again, “Aw, George!” I think the lack of comments has less to do with GC than with the fact that NO ONE READS THIS DAMNED BLOG!
@Emily - Totally not an obscure reference. Ringo will forever be linked to two dead Georges now :(
I happened to be in a rehab (they don’t completely cut you off from the outside world) when I heard this news and was stunned.
What I saw reported didn’t do justice to his routines; how do you condense an analogy of life being moving “stuff” into a soundbyte?
I was surprised Carlin was still playing Vegas, a place I share loathing for. Escaping to L.A. had to be a stress factor.
It also reminded me of Tim Russert. While Russert was reporting the late night Obama/Clinton primary results he appeared on the verge of a collapse on camera. The studio anchors even joked about his uncombed hair. I didn’t see any of the networks report treating him as a workhorse as a possible cause of death.
@Rich - Rehab? What in the world have you been up to since last we spoke? I think part of it is that it’s hard to condense life into a neat little package, but the other part is that the press doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Was just looking at some of Carlin on YouTube and saw his “Inside the Actor’s Studio” interview there. Thought I’d mention it since it is a nice tribute going deeper than most.
- Rich
@Rich - Thanks for the heads up. Wouldn’t have even thought to go searching for that!