George Carlin (1937-2008)

"We are all fucked. It helps to remember that" - George Carlin

Skewed, Intelligent, Brave, Unapologetically Irreverent, Euphemistic, Disoriented, Razor-Sharp, Super Comedian, Philosopher ... Words have limits to describe GC (George Carlin) but there is no end to what a kind of man he is and his exceptional ability. His words have made way into American Lexicon and his routines have become common talks. His articulate sense of comedy has been the hallmark of 20th century's re-defined comedy. His quotes made headlines and shows packed to full house. He has drawn highest attention by speaking truth in a funny way.

"Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy."
"I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately." - George Carlin

Today is a great loss to the stand-up comedy world as Sunday July 22nd, George Carlin Died of heart attack. It is kind of funny to say that he died because in he once said in a show, "Because of the fear of death that people have, I wont have to die; 'I will Pass Away' or 'I'll expire' like a magazine subscription". It is a definite loss to his great fans and I'm one of them. I have been a great follower of all his shows and thanks to Youtube its available freely to many others who don't know GC very much.

He was definitely one of the best commentator on social subjects like misplaced shame, religious hypocrisy, and linguistic quirks. He has done many HBO specials on taunting religion and its principles.

"I would never want to be a member of a group whose symbol was a guy nailed to two pieces of wood"
"If God had intended us not to masturbate he would've made our arms shorter."
"If we could just find out who's in charge, we could kill him."
"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. "
"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it. "

There have been many shows by George Carlin on religion in his famous HBO series like "Religion is Bullshit" recently. He was and Atheist and an articulate commentator on the hypocrisies of religion.

"Atheism is a non-prophet organization."

His language quirks have made place in history too. The most famous seven words have been synergized into the general American talk. George Carlin was also a very good commentator on general public behaviour. He was the best in identifying a small foolish thing and then turn it into comedy. Some of them can be observed in his "Fat People" show.

"Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist."

George Carlin was both cynical and idealist. He was a broken shit in his early years. In his words "Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did", he was a wrek as a child and in his early career. He was raised by a single mom, dropped out of school in night grade, got addicted to cocaine pot (the addiction he carried on until he went to rehab in late 2004), got admitted to Air Force - got 3 court marshalls and numerous diciplinary punishments and eventually fired, and worked in night shift as disk jockey and other not so prolific jobs.

"The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept."
"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit. "

George Carlin after much breaking up his career, started as a routine stand up comedian. As were his peers at that time, he used to wear a tie and suit buttoned-up to his shows. As time passed by, he got more and more dissatisfied with his work and on one occasion while watching another show, realised what he has to become and instantly disbanned his clothes, wore all black with black jeans, pony tail and beard. That was an instant hit and his shows started gaining popularity.

He was a man who followed his own ideology. For e.g, talking on obsenity George noted, “The whole problem with this idea of obscenity and indecency, and all of these things — bad language and whatever — it’s all caused by one basic thing, and that is: religious superstition. There’s an idea that the human body is somehow evil and bad and there are parts of it that are especially evil and bad, and we should be ashamed. Fear, guilt and shame are built into the attitude toward sex and the body. ... It’s reflected in these prohibitions and these taboos that we have.” In a sense, he talked straight from his heart. There is nothing right or wrong. Its just perception. He was also very brave when talking about very sensitive topics like racism, skin color etc; in a profoundly funny way.

Some good Carlin quotes on language and other topics from his shows:
Always do whatever's next.
Weather forecast for tonight: dark.
Think off-center.
What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?
When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.
You know an odd feeling? Sitting on the toilet eating a chocolate candy bar.
The status quo sucks.
In comic strips, the person on the right always speaks first.
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?
It's never just a game when you're winning.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
When someone asks you, A penny for your thoughts, and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?
I don't have hobbies; hobbies cost money. Interests are quite free.
When you're born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat.
Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.
I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

He has produced many shows for HBO and won many awards. There has been no stop to his career once he started off with his all new look. He has been loyal to HBO right from the start of his first show until he died last weekend. He has also acted in movies and shows on MAD TV.

Being one of his ardent fan, I'll be one among many who will miss this great comedian. His comedy shows are worth piling up. He will definitely be remembered for a long time to come as a man who has struck to his ideals and re-defined stand up comedy.

To end my blog in Carlin style, "May God Bless him :D"