In a year when too many shining lights have passed on, the loss of George Carlin was particularly hard to take. His trenchant satire is more needed than ever in these times of war and economic implosion.
At least his immeasurable contribution to American humor will be publicly honored by his peers and disciples.
Although Carlin was announced as the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor before his passing in June, he will now become its first posthumously awarded legend. Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Margaret Cho, Lily Tomlin, Garry Shandling, Lewis Black and many more comedians will pay tribute to the master of language and laughs Nov. 10 at Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event will be shown later on public broadcasting stations nationwide.
It's a good start, but Carlin deserves as much praise as we can throw at him. He may have been a cranky comic, but his insights about legalese, war, marketing, socialization and much more redefined the way comedy was delivered last century and this newest one. I'm having a hard time coming up with a comedian as relevant, precise and illuminating as Carlin, living or dead. And I would say Stephen Colbert, but he's as much an actor as a comedian, and it is hard to tell where his thoughts begin and his simulations end.
No, Carlin's death has left a gaping hole in our culture. It's going to be a long time before we find someone or something worthy enough to fill it. Check out the clip above for his thoughts on life, death and more. It goes without saying that it is definitely not safe for work. Which is sad.
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