Monday, June 23, 2008

Rest in Peace, George Carlin: 1937 - 2008

Comedian George Carlin has passed, says the NY Times.

He was noted for "groundbreaking routines like “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” among many routines. Evidently he learned most of those words in 1956 as an airman stationed at Barksdale AFB.

4 comments:

Debbie Buchanan Engle said...

You can say most of those on TV now, can't you??

Anonymous said...

my foudest memory of george was going to see him in concert when I was in High
school, I think it was '77 or '78. My best friend was working the gate so not only did I get in, but I had the chance to meet and chat. I think one of the first questions I asked was were there any new words he was going to add? George had a running request at the time for us fans to send in new words or combos thereof. Sure enuff about half way thru, he starts the 7 words routine when all of the sudden he announces; Iam adding a new one a pause, CUNT LAPPER!! screaming as loud as he could. There is something special when thousands of people spontaniously burst out fall outa yer chair laughing, you knew It was going to be a special night. Well one lady near the front just freaked out, fliped him and started to walk out. this was all he needed. He started yelling back "your missing the best part of the show" lapper. It was wild and unforgettable. If you like to/need to/love to laugh, there is a dark cloud over head tonight.Rest in peace, gentle prince...

Robert E Trudeau said...

According to a follow-up piece in the NY Times: "His most famous routine was “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” You still can’t say them — or print them in most newspapers, for that matter — even after the issue went all the way to the Supreme Court."

I think only bloggers have been given permission to use them.

Robert E Trudeau said...

Bruce Flett added this via his Bluebirds newsletter:

George Carlin's contribution to Shreveport Music History [we forgot to mention last week]
Carlin was stationed at Barksdale in 1956 and was a night disc jockey at KJOE radio. Stan 'theRecordMan' Lewis would stop by regularly with new records for him to play. They became friends. Stan walks in one night with the new Elvis 45 from RCA records........."George! play this right away, its Elvis !" It turns out RCA sent it to Stan Lewis by MISTAKE< it was the FIRST DJ copy to be sent.........George Carlin debuted "All Shook Up".........probably the first time it was aired on radio anywhere. Stan and George Carlin remained friends over the years.....I've seen the letters!