Monday, July 7. 2008
George On My Mind
George Carlin and I share a birthday - well, the day, not the year. That fact has always made me feel a special kinship with him, as fellow members of the May 12th Club. It's silly, I know, but I feel the same connection to Emilio Estevez, Katherine Hepburn, Yogi Berra, Burt Bacharach, Tom Snyder, Stephen Baldwin, Bruce Boxleitner, Billy Squier, Gabriel Byrne, our dear friend Stacy and, of course, Florence Nightingale. It never ceases to amaze me how much I have in common with each and every one of these intelligent, charming and talented people!
George has been among my favorite comedians - and public people - all my life. What a multi-faceted talent! His blend of sharp, insightful and fearless comedy makes me laugh and think simultaneously. He is responsible for a large part of my sense of humor and world view. It should come as no surprise that he appears on the guest list for my fantasy dinner party along with a plethora of other fascinating people.
I remember watching him on television beginning in the '70s. He avoided his "bluer" material in the mainstream media, opting to spotlight his clever and perceptive views on the world. Even Mom and Dad approved and enjoyed watching him on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show back in the day.I'm sure they got a kick out of such wordplay as, "If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?"
But speaking of George's more risqué material, one day as a child I was looking through my brother's record collection and happened upon his copy of Class Clown. I found myself intrigued by a title of one of the bits, "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." As much as I wanted to, I never did listen, for fear of being caught listening to subject matter that was clearly meant for considerably older ears than mine at the time. George's irreverent take on the world at large always seemed a bit naughty, but that "subversive" aura surrounding his demeanor and material was what drew me in and made me take notice.
As George said himself, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."
Through the years George brought a unique perspective to his comedy and through his comedy, into my life. I am saddened that the world has lost one of its "Original Hippies" - a deep-thinking, free-thinking, free-speaking philosopher for our times who made us laugh at the world - and ourselves. The world needs that - more now than ever.
I think this quote illustrates the way he could make social commentary while making you laugh. It is also one aspect of his comedy that Mom and Dad would not have found so amusing: "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death."
He could even make us laugh about death. I'll leave you with some of his own words on the subject...
"Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck."
George Carlin (May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008)
May your funny soul rest in peace, or rock the afterlife... Whatever, Man.
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News of Carlin's passing brought back the funny lines I remember, too. He was one of the few who could really get a laugh out of me. He was one cool guy. I never remember who has my birthday besides the three kids in my 5th grade class which was a bit strange. Thanks for the good wishes you left for me last week. They brought a smile to my face when I FINALLY got some time with the laptop yesterday. Hope you're having good times in your oasis and that the summer weather isn't melting you or Scott.
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kellypea
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2008-07-09 00:37
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