OT: George Carlin, RIP

[Tom Stathes]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080623/us_nm/carlin_dc

[mikematei]

I saw him live. Not many people can be funny until they get to be that old.

[Leviathan]

I batted an eye when I first caught glimpse of the article.

That just breaks my heart. George was one of the best comedians ever. May he RIP.

[Tom Stathes]

When I originally read this in the paper, I was very impressed. Carlin writes with true insight and wisdom. Enjoy and enlighten.

by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

[Eugene the Jeep]

He didn't actually write that... (http://georgecarlin.com/home/dontblame.html) (bad language)
Anyway, RIP.

[Tom Stathes]

Hahaha! It's funny though, I read it in a newspaper... not online. So I'm guessing it got even more circulation than that.

[J. J. Hunsecker]

I was shocked when I saw this post. George Carlin was one of my favorite comedians. How sad to see him go.

Carlin always liked simple language over euphemisms. He had a routine about it on his album "Parental Advisory", part of which he stated, "Thanks to our fear of death in this country, I won't have to die. I'll 'pass away,' or I'll 'expire' like a magazine subscription. If it happens in a hospital they'll call it a 'terminal episode'. The Insurance Company will refer to it as 'negative patient care outcome'; and if it's the result of malpractice they'll say it was a 'therapeutic misadventure'. I'm tellin' ya, some of this language makes me wanna vomit. Well, maybe not vomit -- makes me want to 'engage in an involuntary personal protein spill.'"

I wonder if he was right, and if any of this came to pass. Either way, it's been a terrible year so far.

[ThePeterNetwork]

My friend at work will be very disappointed to hear this news. Some of his stuff was pretty darn funny. RIP, George Carlin. :(

[AnthroCoon]

One of the people to play Mr Conductor on Shining Time Station (Ringo Starr
was orig.; Alec Baldwin in film version) and voice of the hippy dippy VW microbus
Fillmore in CARS
(Yup, Carlin in a PBS kids show..."Hey boys and girls, do you know about the
seven words you can't say on television? Let's find out!" Naaw, just kidding)

[AardvarkDog]

Another great legend enters the Holy Gates...George Carlin was a great comedian, but I remember him fondly for narrating Thomas the Tank Engine for the US. Really brought a lot of life and gentle humour alongside Ringo Starr, he did.

R.I.P, George. And thanks for the memories. :(

[Geezil]

(Yup, Carlin in a PBS kids show..."Hey boys and girls, do you know about the
seven words you can't say on television? Let's find out!" Naaw, just kidding)

Of course, here's one thing that is true: Of Carlin's infamous seven words of 1972, four can now be heard regularly on broadcast TV (no, I'm not about to list them here). ;)

[That 70s Mom]

RIP, George. Wow, and we were just watching episode 1 of SNL on DVD last night, which he hosted. :(

[Thad]

Very sad. "When Will Jesus Bring the Porkchops?" changed my life. The last HBO special I saw him in, he looked really awful. I guess that cocaine caught up to him.

This has been a horrible year for talented people.

First one who offers their prayers for George gets a flailing. ;)

[Boy Wonder]

In a joking manner, the fourth time is the charm! (in terms of heart attacks, he had one in 1978, 1982, 1991, and this last one).

George will definitely be missed, a true counterculturist.

[Tom Stathes]

First one who offers their prayers for George gets a flailing. ;)


That's right! Well, we can at least remember him in our thoughts :p

[frizfrelengfan]

George Carlin was a funny man. His insights will be missed.

[AndrewGilmore]

:(God, what a shock- I just heard the news about an hour ago.
George was one of my personal favorites, and one of the best in the business. His timing and delivery were the work of a master. He was unique, original, irreverent and totally unafraid to express his unconventional views- he was a man who questioned things, really examined what was going on in the world around us and had no qualms about getting up on stage and saying to the audience, "everything we've been taught to believe in in this country is a big fat pile of BS"- and in many cases he was exactly right.
Not to mention he was indeed very funny.

I'm reminded of something my art teacher said about Charles Schulz's death and the irony of his passing away right after he had retired "Peanuts" anyway: "It's as though his mission on earth was done."

His most recent (and, as it turns out, last) HBO special, "It's Bad For Ya!", was a brilliantly fitting end to his career because it really sums up his philosophy and views on life- as I watched it I found myself applauding many of his all-too-valid points along with the audience. The views expressed in "It's Bad For Ya!" are probably the ultimate message for George to leave behind, and so, like Schulz, he had achieved his mission and left us while he was still on top.

R.I.P. George, and thanks for half a century of both laughter and intelligent thought.

[Daffysleftfoot]

, and pray too seldom.


That line made me suspicious about Carlin's authorship of that prose. His philosophy was that "religion was the worst thing to happen to mankind".

I'm not sure if that's true or not, nor do I really care. I'm just sad that I never got to see him perform live and he did come to Regina once.

Oh well, at least we still have film footage of his many stand up appearances as well as many books he's written. His time on this planet will not be forgotten.

[Vdubdavid]

Another great legend enters the Holy Gates...George Carlin was a great comedian, but I remember him fondly for narrating Thomas the Tank Engine for the US. Really brought a lot of life and gentle humour alongside Ringo Starr, he did.

As do I. Shining Time Station was my first introduction to George Carlin. When I found out that he was famous for much more, it didn't strike me as a disconnect. It just made me respect him all the more. He must have actually seen something genuine in Thomas to agree to do that and not write it off as kiddie show bunk.

[ohmahaaha]

I first became aware of him at @ age 10, which was right around the time his album "AM & FM" was released. I've been a fan ever since, and IMO he always remained razor sharp.

For those who may be interested, Larry King Live is doing a special tonight at 9 pm Eastern time on Carlin.

Thank you George for all the great records, TV appearances, live shows, HBO specials and books!!

[larriva9/11]

Of course, here's one thing that is true: Of Carlin's infamous seven words of 1972, four can now be heard regularly on broadcast TV (no, I'm not about to list them here). ;)

I'm no kneejerk censor, but somehow I still miss the days when said seven words were implied allegorically rather than in-your-face
http://www.nonstick.com/sounds/Yosemite_Sam/ltys_068.mp3

[Jack G.]

The thing I liked about Carlin, was his stuff was smart.
In an age where things are dumbed-down so much, I appreciated his humor.