Crotchedy, grumpy & defiant to the end . . .
was George Carlin. But he really wouldn’t have it any other way. He always said when you’re born you get a ticket to the circus, and when you’re born in America, you get a front row seat. Now he’s got the best seat of all. I know he’s up there watching with a huge Chesire grin waiting for the finale.
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying his longevity. Few comedians remain relevant for more than a decade. George Carlin did it for 5. That’s 50 years of comedy, which puts him in the rarest of categories.
I once got into an arguement with my friend Charlie, about Mr. Carlin. He didn’t care for him, because he thought Carlin was all about the “F” word and his foul language. I’m sure Charlie wasn’t the only one turned off by his expletives, which is unfortunate, because Carlin wasn’t just about language, he was ALL about language. Once you got past the “color”, he had a genuine gift for crafting prose, exceeded only by his masterful delivery and impeccable timing.
He had a way of skillfully articulating the many idiocracies in the “American” way of life, from simple things like the difference between football & baseball, to broader issues of race, religion, & politics. Whether or not you agreed with him was beside the point. George just wanted to make us think.
Well, he made me think . . . alot, but he made me laugh alot more.
Thank you, Mr. Carlin, save me a seat.
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