George Carlin, R.I.P.
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Like many, I was unaccountably sad to hear of the passing of George Carlin. As a member of Generation X, to my shame I have to say that the first time he entered my consciousness was as Rufus from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. To me, Rufus the mentor was sage, a little wisecracking, but always benevolent.
At first I was bemused when I learned that he was a shocking, counterculture humorist. Gentle Rufus? Say it isn't so! Of course, since I was a snot-nosed teen, I was all-too thrilled to catch up with his edgy brand of humor that challenged taboos, crossed lines, offended/delighted many and reflected many of my unvoiced feelings about society.
Last September I was lucky enough to have caught him live at the Universal Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Although I can't remember the particulars (except for a joke about incest and menstruation in the Ozarks I can't share here), I just recall he was in fine form that evening.
A few jokes from his career:
"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it."
"Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?"
"The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live."
Gentlemen ... we're history. What are your favorite memories of Carlin?
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You know, my parents were pretty liberal in terms of what they allowed us to watch on TV growing up. But one thing that wasn't off limits, as I recall, was George Carlin. I can remember the first time I saw his stand-up act was while at a hotel watching HBO when I was around 11 years old in the late-80s. Emersed in his routine, I didn't notice my mom enter the room. I kind of tensed up a little, wondering if she'd make me change the channel. Instead, she noticed who was on, and said, "Oh, George Carlin! I like him!" and joined me on the couch. He continued with his counter-(media)culture schtick, and I learned a little more about my mom - and pushing the boundaries of what the culture-police, politician (i.e., "The Man")pedal as "normal" in this country. Carlin wasn't about normal. He was about critical thinking, civility and ethics. I'll miss him.
I saw him in the early 90's in New Bruswick N.J. He did about an hour of new jokes, but ended the evening with Football vs Baseball.
Long time ago, he told a joke about people in an elevator and how everyone watched the number display for the floor. Like it was going to skip a floor or count backwards. The way he told it, it was soooo funnny and soooo true.
My favorite George Carlin routine was how we collect "stuff" to the point we have to move, get storage rooms, etc. The way he put it, it was so true and so funny.
I like to think he's making a lot of people laugh whereever he may be.
I think my favorite bit of his was about golf and people who played it. He said it was such a bourgeois, smug type of sport and how the greens could be used to build housing. As usual, he was right. Peace be upon the master.
To Joanna: I'd like to think that not only is he making people laugh wherever he may be, but he's making them THINK.
One of the funniest jokes that I read in one of his books (and saw on the Jon Stewart special) was about his advertising lullaby. Fast, funny and honest. The joke about what "Gourmet" meant was hilarious. I will miss his comedy and honesty for the rest of my life.
Isis: I agree with your comment!
57 here. First saw Carlin on the Smothers Brothers. Only a small segment of a much larger horizon of comedy. Rather than challenging things, he actually celebrated Democracy and freedom. Without it he couldn't get a joke in edgewise. A lover of life, people, a good punch line.
As one of the somewhat older generation, I first remember George on the Merv Griffin show, doing his standup and some characters, including the hippie dippy weatherman. So funny then and only got better with age. He made you think and laugh at the same time, we'll miss him.
oh yeah i loved his hippy dippy weatherman....
George Carlin was something my father and i had in common, we both loved him. yes, he made you laugh and THINK, and even more important, you sensed a great sensitive heart beneath it all. George, i will remember you and miss you always, and if you see my Dad say hi!