George Carlin, RIP - Page 2

austin552 · austin552's Garage

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

"Why do they lock gas station bathrooms?" he once mused. "Are they afraid someone will clean them?"

And the forecast for tonight is dark....

It seems a little darker without George. RIP

MRM · 06-23-2008, 07:53 AM

I heard a great piece on him this morning on NPR. Apparently he was big all the way back to the 50 and early 60s. He started out wearing suits and ties on stage. He was as big with the parents of the baby boomers as he later became for the counter culture. When my boys were young they were hooked on Thomas the Tank Engine and George was clearly the best narrator. I was a little concerned when I saw him the first time, but he had such a wonderful, gentle voice and demeanor that he quickly became my favorite. Ringo was pretty good too. More recently he wrote serious books about or PC culture. I heard him speaking for the National Press Club and he was serious, funny and made great points. Our generation's Jonathan Swift.

jriera · 06-23-2008, 08:41 AM

Darn!!!

Went to see him a couple of weeks back at the Orleans, been a fan of George Carlin for long time.
Had the chance to talk with him for a little while after the show, extremely smart individual.

RIP George.

Superman · 06-23-2008, 09:24 AM

I wish him Godspeed. I hope he rests in peace. And I would agree he was a comedic genius. But quite frankly, I found his material somewhat offensive because of the cynicism and criticism. Still, as I say......RIP, Mr. Carlin.

911pcars · 06-23-2008, 09:57 AM

For me, he was voice of reason, an observer of the human condition and how silly and superfluous we can be as a society. Who can fill that role now?

Sherwood

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

I thought some of his earlier stuff was funny, but I can't listen to more than 5 minutes of his later stuff. The constant barrage of F bombs just turns me off. For such an intelligent guy you would think he could come up with better language. I guess it was part of his schtick, but it turned me off.

I also found his political rants disingenuous. So he goes on about how he doesn't vote and how everyone who does is just masturbating, yet he has no problem going on political rants, going on Bill Maher and such. So he is just *****ing about things but has no plans to try and change them?

Superman · 06-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Agreed. The later stuff was the mean-spirited, cynical stuff laced with F-bombs. Not an indication of talent, in my view.

But in his earlier career, he was an absolute MASTER at identifying the hilarious aspects of ordinary life. Truly brilliant. I guess I just wish he could have been a happier person in middle age. Anger is not fun, nor is it funny.

911pcars · 06-23-2008, 10:41 AM

"I also found his political rants disingenuous. So he goes on about how he doesn't vote and how everyone who does is just masturbating, yet he has no problem going on political rants, going on Bill Maher and such. So he is just *****ing about things but has no plans to try and change them?"

Rick,
The youtube video I referenced in No. 11 explains his rationale for not voting which allows him to complain. Disregard his cursing for the message.

Sherwood

trekkor · 06-23-2008, 10:51 AM

He didn't appear to be very happy.

I found him offensive.
I haven't seen any of his act since last night in the posts here.
Still offensive.

Condolences to his family.

KT

Seric · 06-23-2008, 10:51 AM

One of the all-time greatest. A huge part of my youth and all around good human being. I will miss him dearly.

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911pcars

"I also found his political rants disingenuous. So he goes on about how he doesn't vote and how everyone who does is just masturbating, yet he has no problem going on political rants, going on Bill Maher and such. So he is just *****ing about things but has no plans to try and change them?"

Rick,
The youtube video I referenced in No. 11 explains his rationale for not voting which allows him to complain. Disregard his cursing for the message.

Sherwood

Yeah I saw his rationale, I call bull*****.

Basically his opinion is the system is so broken and everyone in society sucks therefore you should never actually try to change things, just sit back and b!tch about it all day.

Great idea.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I also thought he was a comedic genius. I loved his bit about turning various western states into prisons. Of course, I also thought his insights into religious belief were spot on. I could also do without the language, though.

911pcars · 06-23-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Yeah I saw his rationale, I call bull*****.

Basically his opinion is the system is so broken and everyone in society sucks therefore you should never actually try to change things, just sit back and b!tch about it all day.

Great idea.

Rick,
Just his opinion presented in a stage act, but if it gets some people to think, what more can you do? Got any better ideas to get people to think about the big picture and nervously laugh at the same time?

Sherwood

3.2 CAB · 06-23-2008, 01:04 PM

S***, P***, C***, F***, C*********, M***********, and T****!

He will be missed. I guess we have to "throw him in a ditch somewhere" now. He certainly made, and got his point across. I still have some of his first LP's...Too funny to forget!

(I didn't really type the real words, but people that grew up with him know the words quite well)

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by IROC

I also thought he was a comedic genius. I loved his bit about turning various western states into prisons. Of course, I also thought his insights into religious belief were spot on. I could also do without the language, though.

Yeah, I figured you would be all on board with his religion rants...

Of course the thought did cross my mind when I heard this...so, assume just for the sake of the story that Carlin is wrong. So he dies after delivering one of his best anti-religion, anti-God, cursing monologues...he loses consciousness..."goes towards the light"...sees God....then hears "Boy, have I got news for YOU!"

rfuerst911sc · 06-23-2008, 02:25 PM

One of the greats I will miss him. RIP George

IROC · IROC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Of course the thought did cross my mind when I heard this...so, assume just for the sake of the story that Carlin is wrong. So he dies after delivering one of his best anti-religion, anti-God, cursing monologues...he loses consciousness..."goes towards the light"...sees God....then hears "Boy, have I got news for YOU!"

Wishful thinking on your part...

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Maybe, but how shocking would that be? If a soul could be shocked...

IROC · IROC's Garage

It is safe to say that I would be shocked. He came to Huntsville, AL (where I used to live) a couple of years ago and they actually warned people on the radio commercial that his humor could easily offend the religious. That, in and of itself, was funny.

Carlin was a seriously funny guy, though. I think a large part of the impact of his humor was that it had this thread of truth woven through it. Listen to his rant on golf courses! Hilarious. He "hit the nail on the head" for so many people.