A Comic legend has passed.
Let us take a moment to praise the comic legend that passed yesterday. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think back and laugh at this comic genius. The movie Grease is only the classic it is due to her. We will miss you Dody Goodman. Oh, and George Carlin also expired. I realize that half of my stuff came from Carlin.
oh, and Andy's birthday party has been moved to today......
oh, and Andy's birthday party has been moved to today......
posted by Rob at
9:05 AM
4 Comments:
I was shocked, yesterday, to hear of George Carlin's death. He really was a huge force in stand-up comedy. In reading his obituary, I found it interesting that his comedy evolved after seeing Lenny Bruce perform.
Of course the Seven Dirty Words routine was probably his most infamous. But despite it's shock value, he really makes some interesting points about language and how we use it. I think the thing I appreciate most about his humor is that, in addition to being brilliantly funny, he also points out our foibles and hypocrisy without bashing us over the head with it. He definitely got be thinking about things and I'll miss that.
By
David, At
June 24, 2008 9:46 AM
In an era where stand-up comedians have earned rock star status without developing routines that you can remember the next morning, much less 35 years later, it's remarkable to consider the impact that guys like Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor had on the popular culture. Nowadays, the line between news and entertainment is so blurred, the distinction doesn't mean anything. But comedians of that era were taking huge risks inserting politics and social commentary into their acts. As a result, they helped move the country forward in confronting some of its uglier aspects. As a bonus, they were damn funny. Their humor was based on keen observation and deep experience, not stock stereotypes and mindless ridicule. In short, they made comedy for people who like to think. Something almost absent today. (Side note, re Carlin: I always had a soft spot for his Baseball/Football comparison. Forgot to look up a link, but I'm sure you could Google or YouTube it.)
By
Doug Norris, At
June 24, 2008 10:36 AM
It is funny how George is remembered most for the 7 words - I think his best bit is about 'stuff' and think about it everytime I pack a bag for a trip ("Have you noticed that their stuff is sh*t and your sh*t is stuff?") The 'shock' value of his humor to me was always secondary to the razer sharp insight he had on the common acts of everyone.
By
Tom, At
June 24, 2008 12:29 PM
Also interesting is that if you listen to his 1970's albums, there is really not all that much swearing. Nothing compared to Dane Cook and the new "comedians". Also, his swears were well placed, not used for shock, but for effect.
I agree that the 7 dirty words is overblown, other stuff is far funnier. And if you listen to much of the stuff, it's not really "comedy" in that there is a punchline, but rather observations that we all know.
My favorite: "I found it but it was in the last place I looked." How many people find something and still keep looking.
Also we love Jane, who he "met at a party about six to eight weeks ago and said I was a really good sport."
By
Rob, At
June 24, 2008 1:30 PM
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