Comedian George Carlin passed yesterday at age 71. Carlin was quite a character, and had created some controversy with his use of profanity on the radio (the seven words routine). He became a counter-culture icon and a pretty big draw wherever he went. As a kid I watched Carlin on an old summer replacement variety show doing his hippy dippy weatherman routine and became a fan for life at age 11. He blazed new comedy paths, and in my estimation stood with Richard Pryor as the two biggest impact comedians of our time. You can be sure that wherever he is now he is causing trouble! Rest in Peace George Carlin.
Added Note: The Washington Post has a wonderful Carlin story posted online at this link.
Bill Manzi.com 
And, just for the hell of it, who was the other comedian that co-hosted with George Carlin on that summer-replacement series????
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i forget the other comedian but I believe it was the john davidson show.
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Yes, it was the John Davidson show (I think). And the other comedian was Richard Pryor. Ha, I love stumpin’ da mayor!
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Actually, I just googled it and it was the
Kraft Summer Music Hall series. Man, I would
LOVE to get that on dvd.
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Why in the world would you bring any attention at all to two drug crazed nuts?
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Well that is not a correct estimation of George Carlin. Carlin was a clean cut straight up comedian in his early years that like many of his era used (by his own admission) illegal narcotics. But that error does not make him a “nut” as you describe him. He was a great comedian who made light of the many hypocrisies of everyday life, with a special touch for some of the hypocrisy in politics. People saying one thing and then doing another… maybe that is the definition of a “nut”. But I digress. Like the current President Bush Carlin made mistakes in his personal life, but will be remembered for being a socially conscious, cutting edge comedian. He will be missed.
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George was indeed funny but it should be remembered that he got his ininspiration from none other than Lenny Bruce! Thanks to them and many other counter-culture comedians the public won’t accept a comedian who doesn’t toss the “Eff Bomb” a dozen times during his routine. Today we are all more “crass with less class.”
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Without question Lenny Bruce was an influence. And Bruce was so self destructive in many ways, but for better or worse was a major figure in the changing of American mores in this area. Pryor and Carlin both used obscenity profusely and were criticized for it. Pryor was told by Bill Cosby that he could be funny without the eff bombs but in his case I am not sure, because the message in his act almost required it. Carlin, in my opinion, needed it less. In any case I still maintain he was a great comedian who made a lasting impact.
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TRASH !
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Well to each his own. I am not sure why you consider him trash, but certainly you are entitled to your view.
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I see Lenny Bruce and George Carlin as the Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg of comedy. Yes, they used fowl language and did some crazy stuff, but they advanced the cause of art and free speech. Compare Carlin’s “7 words” case to the Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” trial and you’ll see what I mean. We owe a lot to these comics and the Beat Generation. Freedom of expression is what makes this country great.
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Got Ya!
I must admit that once you pushed through the unnecessary 7 ltrs….his commentary on contemporary life was funny …I suppose in the trash..some precious metal can be found…
after all..laughter is medicine for the soul!
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yes you did. laughter is truly medicine for the soul. thank you.
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