I’m going to wait the obligatory six weeks before I officially acknowledge George Carlin's death. Watch the video and you’ll understand why. I think there’s a phase in any fan of stand-up comedy in which you try to dismiss Carlin’s relevance or brilliance. But then you come to understand it, finally appreciating his style and genius and it grows as you get older.
He was around for years, so it was easy to dismiss him. Carlin was always there, turning out another HBO special.
Then there was the brief moment of insight a few years ago when Carlin admitted to having a problem. From that moment, George’s life seemed a little more precious.
Then we started to contemplate the idea that George was fallable…was fragile just like the rest of us.
The difference was that he wasn’t afraid to talk about his weaknesses…most comedians aren’t…but with George he seemed to transcend such conditions like addiction. While his peers struggled and noted their own demons, Carlin seemed able to transcend them. To him, painkillers would be considered nothing more than another one of those American excesses, fueled by the greed of the pharmaceutical companies. So when he fessed up to being controlled by them, well shit, I guess everyone’s got a weakness.
You always knew he would come out of it, armed with new material and a new dynamic to the human condition. I think that his material in the past three years happen to be some of his finest. It’s an excellent resource in growing old and there are some themes that I plan on using as I age.
Including the shitting my pants part.
I’m going to wait the obligatory six weeks before I write George Carlin off. Watch the video and you’ll understand why. I think there’s a phase in any fan of stand-up comedy in which you try to dismiss Carlin’s relevance or brilliance. But then you come to understand it, finally appreciating his style and genius and it grows as you get older.
He was around for years, so it was easy to dismiss him. Carlin was always there, turning out another HBO special.
Then there was the brief moment of insight a few years ago when Carlin admitted to having a problem. From that moment, George’s life seemed a little more precious.
Then we started to contemplate the idea that George was fallable…was fragile just like the rest of us.
The difference was that he wasn’t afraid to talk about his weaknesses…most comedians aren’t…but with George he seemed to transcend such conditions like addiction. While his peers struggled and noted their own demons, Carlin seemed able to transcend them. To him, painkillers would be considered nothing more than another one of those American excesses, fueled by the greed of the pharmaceutical companies. So when he fessed up to being controlled by them, well shit, I guess everyone’s got a weakness.
You always knew he would come out of it, armed with new material and a new dynamic to the human condition. I think that his material in the past three years happen to be some of his finest. It’s an excellent resource in growing old and there are some themes that I plan on using as I age.
Including the shitting my pants part.
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