George Carlin, belonging to the ‘Holy Trinity’ of standup comedy comprising Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, passed away on June 22, 2008. In my opinion, this was a national tragedy but just like them all the greats, misunderstood, feared and misinterpreted as well.
Why George Carlin was absolutely awesome is because his standup routine would achieve two objectives, it would make you laugh yet make you think. It was clever. He was a ‘peddler of words’. Something which is missing in today’s standup scene with the exception of Jerry Seinfeld.
A career spanning almost four and a half decades, George Carlin set out to do what he wanted to do, make a living in comedy in the 1960s. By the dawn of the 70s, George Carlin had gone solo, and was the first ever host of the Saturday Night Live on NBC.
He released about 14 HBO specials, and you have my word that every last one of them will have you holding your stomach laughing and leave you wanting more.
He was a rebel for his forthright views on sexuality, stupidity, race, religion and most topics that people consider as social taboos.
I like the guy for one reason that he detested bullshit and was never scared of exposing those people who were full of shit too!
He performed till his dying breath. An American icon. A genius.
And we are going to miss you, albeit, that you will be remembered for your work.
