This morning I learned of the news of George Carlin’s passing with much sadness, and with the realization that we have lost one of the great thinkers and comedic minds of the last century. More than any other comedian, he was the one who I identified with most. Someone who wasn’t afraid to tweak authority, who questioned everything. He wasn’t college educated, but he had a brilliant mind, and had views — albeit strange and wonderful — on practically every subject in existence.
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the man was truly insightful .. or inciteful, if you like that better … and, in my opinion, brilliant .. a true genius with wordplay …
most ironic of all? and you know he would have seen the irony here, he is being honored at the Kennedy Center in November of 2006 with the Mark Twain Prize:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/marktwain/
Everybody is writing about Carlin being famous for his 7 dirty words, but I will always remember him for his pioneering comedy routines on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, especially the “Hippie Dippy Weatherman” sthick from the 60′s (I think) and hilarious.
One of my favorites because I love wordplay (sometimes as much as foreplay!):
Why are hemorrhoids called “hemorrhoids” instead of “assteroids”?
…or why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway. He was a brilliant philosopher, wordsmith and a hater of eggplant (EGG-PLANT!! Why can’t it make up it’s mind?? Is it an egg or a plant?).
Looks like NBC is reshowing the first episode of SNL, which Carlin hosted, this coming Saturday.
http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/06/24/SNL_to_air_vintage_Carlin_episode/UPI-96701214342654/
An apt tribute.