Irreverent comedian George Carlin, author of such famous routines as "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television", "The Hair Piece", and the wildly appropriate consumerism commentary "Stuff", had a terminal episode Sunday at the age of 71.
‘Terminal episode’ refers to Carlin’s observation that due to the cultural death phobia in America, no one in America dies, but is said to have ‘passed away’, or other euphemistic cover phrase. Click play on the above video to hear the whole routine, including the part about Carlin’s views on energy equalling deity, via "The Big Electron". He proposed alternative thinking about spirituality that started me thinking about the energy field in a very similar way to the recent advances in quantum physics, before such ideas were well-known.
Carlin kept me in stitches in high school, college, and through my adult life. His routines last the test of time. If you’re easily offended, don’t listen. George takes on religion, the government, even mom’s apple pie. But his observations are pithy and though often cutting, usually true.
Carlin’s observations on language, particularly his assertion "By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth" greatly influenced me towards a lifetime study of linguistics.
He invited us to "Think off-center" and aptly quipped: "When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat."
And don’t forget Carlin’s admonition to "Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things". Words to live by.
We’ll miss your clear eyes, acerbic wit and kind heart, George…rest in peace.
The below is excerpted from Carlin’s AP obituary by Keith Saint Clair, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES - George Carlin, who died of heart failure Sunday at 71, leaves behind not only a series of memorable routines, but a legal legacy: His most celebrated monologue, a frantic, informed riff on those infamous seven words, led to a Supreme Court decision on broadcasting offensive language.
The counterculture hero’s jokes also targeted things such as misplaced shame, religious hypocrisy and linguistic quirks why, he once asked, do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?
Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, went into St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died later that evening, said his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.
This just in from correspondent J.W.:
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