Carlin Remembered
George Carlin, accomplished comedian, actor, philosopher, and author performed for an audience for the last time last week. One could speak of his impact on the comedy/pop community with his “Seven Dirty Words” or his neglected talent in movies, but this space is reserved for selfish reasons.
George Carlin was a personal inspiration for the writer, almost a “distant mentor”. With the end of his “You Are All Diseased” show, I realized that George had crossed the comedic space of foul language and situational comedy to inspired, informed and intelligent humor. Rarely can one consider a comedian’s ranting and ravings life altering; hell, should we? Regardless of the answer, I found myself echoing some of the ideas and values that George had spoke of as I went through college and into my working career, further reinforced through “Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?” a book given to me from a friend.
George Carlin is one of my points of inspiration, and his passing has left me at a loss for words. It doesn’t matter where he went, it only matters what he did for anyone who got an earful of his humor/acting/philosophy. He was a friend, conversation/argument starter, and a popular culture icon.
To quote the man, who ten years ago made this comment/request on his own passing:
“Gee, he was just here a minute ago.”
I’ll be damned, he was, and the world is a little less bright already. You will be missed.