Comedian, Counter-Culture Figure George Carlin Dies at 71

[renfairephotog]

Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture figure famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure near Los Angeles Sunday, Reuters reported. He was was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.

Carlin became an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine about seven dirty words you could not say on television. A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of his "Filthy Words" routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

[Deborah]

No! I cut my "adult teeth" on his Class Clown! I am truly saddened by this news.

RIP, Master Carlin. God Speed!

[Welsh Wench]

George Carlin was the very first host of 'Saturday Night Live'.
And who can forget his poem, 'HAIR'?

A true icon of our generation.

He will be missed. 

[Sir Ironhead]

And Al Sleet, your hippy, dippy weather man.

"The temperature at the airport is 65 degrees, which is stupid 'cause I don''t know anyone who lives at the airport."

"The forecast for tonight; dark.  Widely scattered dark until morning followed by widely scattered light."

[Taffy Saltwater]

  So very sad - I always loved that he never backed down in his defense of the freedom of speech and that he was an unabashed atheist.  Demosthenes would have loved this guy.

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Whether you agreed with him or not, he always made you think.  We'll miss you, George. 

"Why do they lock gas station bathrooms?  Are they afraid someone will clean them?"

[Rage]

What??? oh this is very sad news. He had a wit and view of the world like no other, he will be saddly missed. 

[Sir William Marcus]

Very sad news indeed. He will be missed.

[Lady Nicolette]

He certainly helped to change the face of comedy...He got a bit grumpy as he aged, but gee, don't we all?  I was shocked at the news as well.

[BLAKDUKE]

Man that is a bummer.  Rest in peace George.  Your routines and show are on video and I will relish watching thm over and over.

[Trillium]

Ahh, George....your outspokenness will be missed...

I'm sure my mom is heartbroken right now....

[Dayna]

Word 1

What the Word 4, George!

This Word 2's me off!!

Word 6!!!

I'll always think of him when I park in my driveway, or drive on a parkway.

Dayna

[Welsh Wench]

If you have dogs and cats, this one is for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDKRyJIrYZY

*warning: typical Carlin stuff*

[renren]

Wow..
Rest in peace

[Zoë]

So sad to see him go so suddenly.  We just watched his newest routine "It's Bad For Ya" a few weeks back.  I swear my dad and him operate on the same wavelengths, it's scary sometimes how alike they both think. 

"I'm ahead of my time.  Problem is I'm only about two hours ahead."

[Count Adolfo]

George could make me laugh without even saying a word.  That's a gift.
We lost an amazing talent.  I hope he's "killin' them" on the other side.

[fluffy tail]

George could make you laugh and think at the same time.

Rest in peace. Your word and wisdom will be missed.

[renfairephotog]

HBO and 'Saturday Night Live' to Air George Carlin Tributes
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
           
Earlier this week the world lost one of its sharpest comedic talents when George Carlin passed away at the age of 71. Known for his political and black humor, his taboo routines led to international fame, as did his many TV appearances, film roles, best-selling books and Grammy winning comedy albums.

To honor the legendary and groundbreaking comic, two networks that have been with him during his many years of performing will be airing tributes this week. HBO, which aired 14 specials showcasing George Carlin's unedited routines, along with NBC's Saturday Night Live will show off the performer in his prime to help his many fans commemorate his long and eventful life.


Tonight and tomorrow night, HBO will be running marathons of 11 of their George Carlin specials. The specials range from 1977 to as recent as this year and include such classic routines as "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," a routine that was at the time so controversial that it and another monologue eventually led to a groundbreaking Supreme Court case that defined how free our speech can be when aired on television.

The schedule for the specials is as follows:

Wednesday, June 25

8pm: "George Carlin at USC" (1977)
9pm: "George Carlin: Again!" (1978)
11pm: "Carlin at Carnegie Hall" (1982)
12am: "Carlin on Campus" (1984)
1am: "Playin' with Your Head" (1986)

Thursday, June 26

8pm: "What Am I Doing in New Jersey?" (1988)
9pm: "Doin' It Again" (1990)
10pm: "Jammin' in New York" (1992)
11pm: "Back in Town" (1996)
12:05am: "You Are All Diseased" (1999)
1am: "It's Bad for Ya" (2008)

In 1975, George Carlin hosted the very first episode of Saturday Night Live, and so it is only fitting that this landmark episode will be shown again the Saturday after his unfortunate passing. Airing this Saturday, June 28, at 11:30pm, the show will begin with another classic George Carlin monologue.  The episode will also features musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston, as well as a performance by comedian Andy Kaufman.

Without George Carlin, Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels doesn't know if the series would have had as much momentum.

"You never forget the people who were there at the beginning," he is reported as saying in TV Guide. "George Carlin helped give Saturday Night Live its start as our first host. He was gracious, fearless, and most important of all, funny."

- Jeff Sampson, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: TV Guide, HBO

[Molden]

I cut my "adult" comedy teeth at the tender age of 11 when a buddy lent me his AM/FM Album... I remember being on the floor holding my gut, laughing until I couldn't breathe when I heard his birth control shtick.

He talked about the availability of drugs at the pharmacy, and how, soon birth control pills would be right up there with the 2 cent mints. ...and how, men would never have to fear this call..."It's a scary call, if you're fertile at all...

*rrrringgg*
he picks up "Hello"
she responds "Hello. This Jane. We met at a party about 6-8 weeks ago and you said I was a real good sport?"
he: "Ohhh Jane! Hi Jane...how are you?"
she: "PREGNANT! And I'm going to jump out the window!"
he: "Sayyyy you ARE a good sport aren't you Jane?!?"

The man was just wrong and I loved being invited to think the things no one dare think.

I'll always admire his ability to be True to himself above all things and dare to stay the course.

Rest Well George.

*DEFINITELY watching SNL*

[Sir Ironhead]