ROTTEN TOMATOES: George Carlin: 1937-2008 Comments

George Carlin: 1937-2008

by Jeff Giles | June 23, 2008

Summary

George Carlin, the award-winning comedian, actor, and author responsible for one of the most groundbreaking routines in the history of American comedy, has passed away at the age of 71. Back to Article

(1-64 of 64 posts) | Reply

caboose388 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:03 AM

One of the greatest comics of all time is no more. George is what other comics only dream of being. RIP

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LordVapor writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:23 AM

You will be so missed. I grew up watching you, and I truly believe my appreciation and love of comedy, and many of the things I truly find funny, were due in part to you...GodSpeed, and R.I.P.

"Hey, if it will get me a couple hundred miles down the road, I'll take a shot in the mouth" LOL LOL LOL, From his lines in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

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arendr writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:23 AM

Wow....I am totally stunned. RIP.

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lestatthevampire writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:30 AM

R.I.P.
Funny man...

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Shatter24 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:35 AM

Heartbreaking news. A generation of incredible entertainers are passing away, and are ultimately irreplaciable. He stuck to his guns and wasn't a guy that flinched and softened as he got older, that I respect. Hopefully, if there is a higher power, he has a sense of humor.

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onepiece226 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:44 AM

He's the reason I know all of the swears of today.....

When I was 8 my cousin let me watch him on an HBO special, and from then on I knew all of the swears, and I also knew one of the funniest men alive.
George Carlin is a one of a kind guy and there's no guy funnier! and no DANE COOK IS NOT FUNNY!!!!!

Long Live The Carlin

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cypress550 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:56 AM

funny man thats too bad R.I.P george

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meatcake writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:02 AM

Man, Carlin is a comedy GOD! I got to see him live about 8 years ago and it was hands down the funniest stand up I have ever seen. He had wit, humor and intelligence that was 2nd to none. Comedy couldn't keep up with Carlin, and as far as I am concerned, smart humor died with him.

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smi1ey writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:17 AM

He will be missed, that's for sure. One of the funniest men in existence.

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canidrinkit writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:17 AM

A true genius in his early days. Remember lifting my brothers "Class Clown" when my parents weren't home, and listing to the infamous 7 words. Also his early HBO specials were incredible, and was one of the main reasons I actually subscribed to the channel. But man, these last few years, in his older years.....well, he certainly had a different style and outlook on life. I do still have truly fond memories of this man from my youth, and will alsways remember the nights in the basement with my buddies laughing to those albums.

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jukeboxhero6660 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:23 AM

When I heard about this this morning I went and watched some clips on youtube, and I almost cried at the lose of this guy, and I almost fell out of my seat laughing (and I had seen the clips many times before). he was one of the funniest guys...ever and I loved listening to him rant and rave, I read all his books (always at times where silence was needed, but silence is impossible when reading Carlin). So many great talents, from all parts of entertainment, have passed this year and out of all of them this is the hardest.
R.I.P Rufus

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brokendesireltd writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:25 AM

Grew up watching George on HBO, saw him live in '83, and there was no funnier comedian in the world. You will be missed, and rest in peace Mr. Carlin.

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Matanuki writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:34 AM

I knew it was only a matter of time. But funny how when it happens, you still never expected it to be THAT morning you'd wake up and see a headline with that fateful birth-death year caption behind a great entertainer's name. R.I.P., George. Thanks for never going soft on us, for never letting them neuter you.

The last comedy elder standing is now Bill Cosby.

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smi1ey writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:48 AM

Does anyone else remember him as the conductor on that crappy "Shining Time Station" show on PBS? (aka, Thomas the Tankengine) lol good times.

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xenogears writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:02 AM

Damn!!!!!!!! Pryor, Dangerfield, now Carlin! He was brilliant and lude at the same time. A true master. Even in his old age he was still Kickin' A$s. All the daring comic masterminds, the true originators of american comedy stan up as we know it are gone!

"..All my hereos are dead and gone, sold there sorrows to the ones who paid the most. All my heroes have now become ghosts, but here inside of me, they still live on..."

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unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:05 AM

RIP I can't believe he's gone, one of the all time greatest. And this horrible year of deaths continues, and some how Kirk Douglas is still going. Ah the good old unwritten book of the road.

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thereign writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:05 AM

Goodbye, George. You were the inspiration for a generation desperate for something new, and you never truly grew old. Dozens have tried to imitate your form & style over the years: all have failed. There can only be one George Carlin.

Two final thoughts: First, to Shatter24...I believe God has a sense of humor. After all, he created humans, didn't he? Also, I think George & God's first meeting probably went like this:

George: Holy shi.t! This place does exist! You're real!

God: Yep. (offers hand) That was some funny stuff. I never asked you to hold back, so don't stop now. I'm looking forward to you knocking the place dead up here for a long time to come.

R.I.P. George. You were a friend and a comedic vanguard to us all. I can't think of a single comedian whose passing would affect me more.

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dahluzz writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:20 AM

wow, this sucks. read his book 'brain droppings' if you haven't. it's a good example of how brilliantly simple some of his observations on life were. things we've all thought before but could never articulate with such direct, biting wit. the guy was one-of-kinda and he'll be missed.

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PilotLite writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:25 AM

In reply to this comment (#1808085)
xenogears...you read my mind...almost verbatim.

Pryor, Dangerfield...now Carlin. This sucks.

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JojoTR writes:
on Jun 23 2008 09:25 AM

Simple observation: The world just became less funny.

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TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Jun 23 2008 10:03 AM

I used to go to sleep at night listening to tapes of Carlin, Cosby, Crystal and their like. Great way to go to sleep, laughing.

I will never forget the end of Carlin's monologue from the eighties where he is bidding farewell to the audience and listing for them all the things they have to fear, ending with Carlin screaming 'PARANOIA' to thuderous applause. It's an amazing, poignant and somewhat alarming list that goes on for at least one whole minute, perfectly demonstrates Carlin's searing intellect and pitch-perfect grasp of the uncomfortable and how to cull humor from danger.

Good night to one of the masters.

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beardscanty writes:
on Jun 23 2008 10:09 AM

Such a good, funny man had to die D:
RIP, George.

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opTIMus Nerd writes:
on Jun 23 2008 10:25 AM

George was my greatest idol, my hero, my inspiration, my teacher, my philosopher and I have shed so many tears of laughter listening to him throughout my life. This is a sad, sad day indeed.

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dennisl59 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:02 AM

My first recollection of George was his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was Grand Master of Popular American English and his wordplay was second to none. Finally, to me, his approach to an audience was to have a "conversation". A very civil and mature mind-set compared to today's "popular" acts. A one-of-a-kind with a huge legacy. We should all be so lucky. Rest in Peace, George Carlin

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sunsaz writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:08 AM

Guess it's true what they always say: deaths always come in threes. Sad that we had to lose three legends, all masters in their respective fields, in such a short period of time. RIP, George.

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Urban_Nomad writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:16 AM

Another sad loss for the entertainment community.

I was a huge fan of George and everything he had a hand in.

RIP Mr. Carlin, you will be missed

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map444 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:24 AM

Sorry that he died, but I always thought he was a little bit overrated and just really not that funny. He was someone that people were told is "supposed to be funny", so they blindly said he was, but truth is, its a stuggle to make it though one of his CD's. I'm 46 but I guess the people from the late 60's early 70's figured he was all they had left from that era, so said he was great

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map444 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:25 AM

Sorry that he died, but I always thought he was a little bit overrated and just really not that funny. He was someone that people were told is "supposed to be funny", so they blindly said he was, but truth is, its a stuggle to make it though one of his CD's. I'm 46 but I guess the people from the late 60's early 70's figured he was all they had left from that era, so said he was great

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Young Turk writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:51 AM

In reply to this comment (#1808105)
I don't know about the world but my day just became less funny...

George Carlin you will be missed, seriously missed. R.I.P

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Grena writes:
on Jun 23 2008 11:52 AM

One if not the greatest comedian to ever live is gone.. R.I.P. George.

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gad writes:
on Jun 23 2008 12:06 PM

It's very sad to see George Carlin pass on. It's sad to see 'thereign' bring his religious agenda to this as well. Invisible man in the sky you know, listen to some Carlin material if you don't understand his point of view on that.

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bijibadness writes:
on Jun 23 2008 12:12 PM

In reply to this comment (#1807935)
well, at least we have present-day masters like Dane Cook and Carlos Mencia to carry on his legacy, even perhaps better it? (total and disgusted sarcasm)

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incredible_hulk writes:
on Jun 23 2008 12:28 PM

one of the last best comics in the world...you will be missed george

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TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Jun 23 2008 12:34 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808393)
map44: I'd like to think I'm at least as tolerant as anyone else of other people's opinions, but would it have killed you to wait maybe a couple of days/articles before you start pissing on Carlin? People are actually mourning, here. I had issues with some of his later work, but it just struck me that, less than 72 hours after the man died, I could keep quiet about 'em out of respect. It CERTAINLY strikes me as a profoundly short-sighted and callous idea to claim that the People who DID like him are misguided.

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nathanpoitras writes:
on Jun 23 2008 12:52 PM

I was lucky enough to see him on stage a few years back. I remember laughing so hard, my face started to hurt. Mr.Carlin will be missed, rest in peace.

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Shadowflare writes:
on Jun 23 2008 01:01 PM

All I've seen in this thread is 'funny man, funny man, we've lost a funny man!'.

Carlin knew comedy. He was good at it. But that's not what made him special. He was a subversive social philosopher who wasn't afraid to challenge the establishment and never sold out and always stood up for himself. His skill was making people laugh with what he saw as the truth, a seamless blend of jokes and biting social commentary. George Carlin and Bill Hicks were cut from the same cloth, and now we've lost them both, and the world is poorer for it.

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dylan21484nj writes:
on Jun 23 2008 01:03 PM

farewell, George. the world is a little less funny without you in it.

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bethehero7404 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 01:17 PM

I had the pleasure of seeing him FRONT ROW at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron a couple years back and it was beyond hilarious. I had been a fan of his for a long time and one of my first CD purchases was his 3 disc Classic Gold Carlin stand up. I listen to that to this day. I quote the Hippy Dippy Weatherman all the time.

I have never truly cried at a celebrities death. I came close to Heath Ledger. I have now. The world (as JoJOTR said) is less funny. Sorely missed.

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Curtis Smale writes:
on Jun 23 2008 01:50 PM

I really liked a lot of George Carlin's humor.

George had a strong word-humor, a gentle humor, a sweet and innocent humor, a rambling-rant humor, a political and social satire, crazy humor, and a dirty and blasphemous humor.

With George, I took the good and left the bad.

He was a connoisseur of all kinds of humor: a master comedian.

I always loved his word rants.

He was an outspoken Atheist, and so I hope George called out to the Lord Jesus in the days and hours before he died.

He became more sour and angry at a God he said he didn't believe on in his last couple of albums, after his beloved wife of many years died.

What can I say? I liked a lot, not all, of his humor, and I hope he is forgiven and with God right now.

Thanks for the many good laughs, George.

With all my heart, I hope you are resting in peace.

God's truth about how to get into Heaven:

Over the years, most of the people I've talked with on this subject have wanted to go to Heaven when they die.

Many of them thought they deserved to go to Heaven based on the fact that they felt they were good people, or that they deserved Heaven as a reward for enduring a difficult or painful life.

Unfortunately, we are all sinners who have broken God's Ten Commandments, the moral law. None of us measures up to the perfection needed to get into the perfect place called Heaven. We all have done and still do, many wrong things. (sins)

God says in the Bible that we are all therefore deserving of punishment for our evil deeds. (Hell)

The Good News, however, and our only hope to avoid punishment in the afterlife, is Jesus!

You can go to Heaven instead--for certain!

Jesus will forgive all of your sins.

Those who believe in Jesus have everlasting life right now,
but the person who does not believe in Jesus will not go to Heaven, because God must punish him for his sins. John 3:36.

All those who believe in Jesus are forgiven of all of their sins, immediately.

They are saved forever, and they are guaranteed to go to Heaven. They are also indwelled by God's Holy Spirit, forever. Ephesians 1:13,14.

Those who believe in Jesus have everlasting life and will *never* perish. John 6:47.

Jesus is true God and true man. He suffered and died on the cross for all of your sins, past, present and future.
He was buried, and He physically rose from the dead on the third day. 1st Corinthians 15:1-4.

If you believe this Gospel, then you are now forgiven of your sins, eternally declared righteous by God, saved forever, indwelled by God's Spirit forever, and you will go to Heaven immediately, the very minute you die.

Jesus loves you with an everlasting love.

He loves you like no one you have ever known.

He suffered and died so that you would not have to be punished for your sins.

God wants you to go to Heaven.

Will you receive Jesus by faith today?

Please check out my blog site, which is frequently updated:

http://believersworldview.blogstream.com

Also, I have a movie review blog at Rotten Tomatoes that you can easily access by typing

Curtis Smale Rotten Tomatoes

into Google.

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Jun 23 2008 01:55 PM

One of the positive things from a passing like this one is that we can all take the opportunity to revisit and learn from his comedy routines. I've been listening to them my entire work-day, and not only do they make me laugh, but they make me want to change my world.

Thanks, George.

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tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 23 2008 02:13 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808709)
I think maybe someone estimated wrongly. For some reason learning of George Carlin's death doesn't make me want to learn more about Jesus. . .

I'll miss him. I remember watching his HBO specials when I was younger quite often.

Most of his critisism was dead-on. You should notice that when he was railing against God, his examples were all things that people could work on changing but didn't. It wasn't simply expounding on a "God Sucks" theme. I don't think he ever offended all that many of religious faith. If he did, than they probably need to look at themselves.

His anti-materialism was a breath of fresh air, especially in the insane part of the "GREED IS GOOD" 80's. If people believed as he did, the world would be a better place.

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halose7en writes:
on Jun 23 2008 02:20 PM

It's a shock, even now, hours after I heard the news. I still can't believe it. But it is very comforting to know that there are so many people out there who miss him just as much, if not more than me. Carlin had a comedic presence unlike any other in the business. He knew how to work a crowd, and he gave them exactly what they expected, show after show after show. Even in his later years (which I personally think were his best), he still had undying energy and bite throughout his routines. R.I.P George. You were among the elite in comedy, and you will ALWAYS be considered a legend.

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doug941 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 02:45 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808819)
Wow, all I can say is "****, piss, ****, ****, cocksucker, mother****er, and tits".

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arendr writes:
on Jun 23 2008 02:51 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808892)
I like how the word "cocksucker" doesn't get censored here.

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gad writes:
on Jun 23 2008 02:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808709)
Invisible man in the sky. You know, George would not approve of your blatant proselytizing on the occasion of his death. It always amazes me that when a scientist or intellectual atheist type dies you guys are johnny on the spot with the "I bet he called out to god before he died nonsense" - Give it a rest and go find a jesus board to vent on. I'm sure there's much rejoicing over there. Clue though - we all die eventually and the death of a atheist isn't proof of your invisible man. RIP George

(Reply to this)

terrible1 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 04:10 PM

I literally just watched his most recent HBO special as well as Jay and Silent Bob just a few days ago. wow. what a downer. RIP Mr. Carlin. You will be greatly missed.

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Neonknight writes:
on Jun 23 2008 04:11 PM

Rest In Peace George, you will be missed. The world has lost yet another great funny man.

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TheCaptain of TeamLoyalty writes:
on Jun 23 2008 04:52 PM

Gad you are a total retard, your right to talk has been revoked, go and blow bill maher you loser.

(Reply to this)

powerslayer67 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 04:56 PM

every comedian in the business owes this man a grave debt of appreciation.

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TheMaq writes:
on Jun 23 2008 05:19 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808392)
A lesson in sourness... and inventory taking. One persons joy is anothers lack of respect on the eve of this gentleman's departure from earth. May you dream of being as respected as he when your time arrives.

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TheMaq writes:
on Jun 23 2008 05:20 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808392)
A lesson in sourness... and inventory taking. One persons joy is anothers lack of respect on the eve of this gentleman's departure from earth. May you dream of being as respected as he when your time arrives.

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thereign writes:
on Jun 23 2008 06:49 PM

Gad;

I think you're confusing my paying my respects for George from my own perception(and a bit of a sense of humor) with having an agenda, which I don't. I didn't go on a "God is great" rant or yell from the rooftops "George Carlin was wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!" I was simply paying my respects in my own manner, to which I am entitled.

Speak what you know, because this isn't it.

If you're an atheist, fine by me...I honestly don't care. Just be careful you don't get dizzy all the way up there on your high horse.

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thereign writes:
on Jun 23 2008 06:56 PM

Gad;

[You might want to change your screen name, as if you hit the wrong key on the right side of your board while typing, you might spell your name as "God"....wouldn't want you to have an embolism because of it]

I think you're confusing my manner of paying respect with a religious agenda, which this isn't. If you'll open your eyes and look again, I was simply stating(with humor, which I believe Mr. Carlin would have respected), my take on his passing. I wasn't standing on the rooftops yelling "Carlin was a blashpheming sinner who was wrong! Wrong!"

Speak what you know, because this isn't it.

If you're an atheist, that's fine by me...I truly don't care. I don't share your belief, but I respect it. It's funny how most atheists can't be as reciprocating in the empathy department.

Just do me a favor, and be careful: I don't want you to get dizzy, sitting so far up on your high horse.

(Reply to this)

thereign writes:
on Jun 23 2008 06:57 PM

Gad;

[You might want to change your screen name, as if you hit the wrong key on the right side of your board while typing, you might spell your name as "God"....wouldn't want you to have an embolism because of it]

I think you're confusing my manner of paying respect with a religious agenda, which this isn't. If you'll open your eyes and look again, I was simply stating(with humor, which I believe Mr. Carlin would have respected), my take on his passing. I wasn't standing on the rooftops yelling "Carlin was a blashpheming sinner who was wrong! Wrong!"

Speak what you know, because this isn't it.

If you're an atheist, that's fine by me...I truly don't care. I don't share your belief, but I respect it. It's funny how most atheists can't be as reciprocating in the empathy department.

Just do me a favor, and be careful: I don't want you to get dizzy, sitting so far up on your high horse.

(Reply to this)

thereign writes:
on Jun 23 2008 06:59 PM

Wow, I sure posted that enough f.uckin' times by accident, didn't I? Stupid slow site....

:-P

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halose7en writes:
on Jun 23 2008 07:02 PM

In reply to this comment (#1808892)
I guess that would be the 4 words you can't say on Rotten Tomatoes. =\

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jrod1978 writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:39 PM

Been watching Carlin since I was 13 (now 29). He was one of my favorite stand-ups and always made me think about the world in which I lived. That was genius of Carlin. RIP George Carlin. You will be missed in a world that is now a little less funny.

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lordfirefly writes:
on Jun 23 2008 08:54 PM

Carlin's career has always made me laugh, smile and make quote after quote after quote. He was an artist and a poster boy for those who wanted to be a legend. He could make you laugh with dirty language or with the opposite. There was a time in my life when my [past] depression almost got the best of me. There was 2 things that got me out of my rut. First was my family and second was watching Carlin's acts on tv...no lie!

First we lost Stan Winston and now George Carlin. I really hope the "urban legend" of 3 die at a time doesn't hold to be true. We need not lose anyone else.

Stan = Legend in special effects
George = Legend in comedy

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TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Jun 24 2008 07:47 AM

In reply to this comment (#1808709)
Curtis:

I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you mean well with your post.

Nonetheless, you *have* to be aware that it is in remarkably poor taste to turn someone else's death into an ad campaign for your beliefs. And they are just that; YOUR beliefs. Nothing more. I do not share them and perhaps more relevantly, I do not believe George Carlin shared them.

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tabascoman77 writes:
on Jun 24 2008 11:37 AM

I'm very sad that Carlin is gone. He seemed so invincible. He seemed like nothing could ever beat him.

I respect his views on religion. He wasn't afraid to go out and say what was on his mind.

There was one bit he did in particular on "Complains & Grievances" where he was talking about religion and how silly the Ten Commandments were and how they should be cut down to two. It was very witty, well-written, and felt like an intelligent lecture mixed with his trademark comedy style.

He summed the entire lecture up brilliantly:

"Respect the provider of thy nookie...and respect others who believe in a different invisible man than you do which also leads me to an even better alternative: KEEP THY RELIGION TO THYSELF!"

That's refreshing to hear. He didn't take sides and he respects those with different points of view even going so far as to say, "Whatever you believe in, don't go pushing your religious POV on other people because it only leads to grief."

He was funny but he was also VERY smart. That is one of the reasons I respected George Carlin so much. He had such timing and wit and his comedy, as much as it was observational was intelligently observational and thoughtful.

His take on the 7 Dirty Words is just ONE reason why he should be remembered. Anybody else could have gone up there and used those words and acted like an *** but George Carlin turned his stage into a pulpit and the concert hall into a classroom and he TAUGHT as much as he made people laugh.

I will miss him VERY much. I'm VERY sad he's gone and it's going to be a shame not to see any HBO specials or hear any new material from him.

:(

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mattdaddy36 writes:
on Jun 24 2008 04:44 PM

Wow! I came late to this...This sucks huge a$$. I am so bummed out right now. He probably wouldn't want us to miss him though (if you believe his last HBO comedy show). He would probably be thinking, "Good riddance you rotten prick, one less bastard ruining my planet." I will miss him and the world will never be the same. Thanks for the laughs you old a$$hole.

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CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on Jun 24 2008 10:58 PM

Goodbye, George. Your comedy gave me hope and joy during the

sad moments of my life. In my heart, your humor will always be alive and

well. R.I.P. George Carlin

(Reply to this)

superbourne writes:
on Jun 25 2008 03:24 PM

The smartest person ever put on this planet. Farwell!

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Mr. Happy writes:
on Jun 26 2008 09:09 AM

One of the greats, that goes without saying of course. Noone these days can hold a candle to the ones we have lost recently. Leary in his heyday and Lewis Black are the only ways who can even make me laugh, but Pryor, Carlin, Dangerfield actually made you think more about what they were trying to say.

R.I.P.

(Reply to this)

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