GEORGE CARLIN (1937-2008)

An early appearance on Hollywood Palace, 1966

We're sorry to hear that comedian George Carlin just passed away at the age of 71. "Passed away" is a euphemism Carlin wouldn't stand for; let's say he died. He worked to the very end -- coincidentally, my parents saw him perform in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago.

Like Lenny Bruce, Carlin used words that we hear all the time -- shocking to censors, perhaps, but commonplace in the real world. In his famous routine, "The Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV," he ridiculed our hypocrisy. The routine, by the way, led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity, so maybe we're a little freer thanks to George. Fittingly, the following video has language suitable for mature intelligent people only. If words scare you, be warned!


Performing recently, "Religion is bullshit"