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George Carlin: Kids
From his 2008 HBO special "Its Bad For Yah". George sounds off on boring parents and their adoration for their kids.
Aug 5, 2008 3:34 AM
Re: George Carlin: Kids
I never laughed so hard at any of Carlin's jokes until around 5:40 in this clip. Sooo much emotion and anger.
By: Wonderr
Re: George Carlin: Kids
"Take a fuckin' chance... tell the truth"
Why can't more people be more like this wise ol' sage? We do not have to BS about anything; we do not have to like one another.
Shit, I rarely like anyone. Doesn't mean I cannot live in the same world as them. All it means is that I choose not to devalue them with the condescending formalities of platitudes, nonsense or other forms of social masturbation.
I am EVilMinD and I don't care for any of ya. It's all about my own fucking amusement... so, enjoy it if you wish.
LOL negativity is sweet!
Why can't more people be more like this wise ol' sage? We do not have to BS about anything; we do not have to like one another.
Shit, I rarely like anyone. Doesn't mean I cannot live in the same world as them. All it means is that I choose not to devalue them with the condescending formalities of platitudes, nonsense or other forms of social masturbation.
I am EVilMinD and I don't care for any of ya. It's all about my own fucking amusement... so, enjoy it if you wish.
LOL negativity is sweet!
By: EViLMinD
Re: George Carlin: Kids
George Carlin wrote a lot of brilliant comedy and I'm a fan, but there were times, especially in his later years, when he was basically just a cranky old guy with more bile than inspiration. This bit fits into that category. In truth, my old man could have come up with this material, and he's no comedy genius.
By: dakal9214
Re: George Carlin: Kids
No he couldn't. This bit may look easy to produce, but it ain't.
I do agree that this material is heavier on the bile and lighter on the inspiration than his earlier work; however, it is still hilarious.
The real truth is, comedy isn't always about being original and clever. Don't get me wrong, I love those qualities as much as anyone. Hell, I demand that every comic do their best to be unique (why I effin' HATE the Blue Collar Comedy tour). Yet, at the end of delivery, if the comic can get a good laugh just by being a cranky old man who doesn't like anyone or anything... so what. It works (and, it's still uniquely Carlin).
Best work? No. Hilarious? Absofuckinglutely.
I do agree that this material is heavier on the bile and lighter on the inspiration than his earlier work; however, it is still hilarious.
The real truth is, comedy isn't always about being original and clever. Don't get me wrong, I love those qualities as much as anyone. Hell, I demand that every comic do their best to be unique (why I effin' HATE the Blue Collar Comedy tour). Yet, at the end of delivery, if the comic can get a good laugh just by being a cranky old man who doesn't like anyone or anything... so what. It works (and, it's still uniquely Carlin).
Best work? No. Hilarious? Absofuckinglutely.
By: EViLMinD
Re: George Carlin: Kids
Obviously, humor is personal so you can't tell somebody else that what they're laughing at isn't funny, but so much of what I've heard from Carlin over the years was just so funny and so smart and, to me, this just isn't. Maybe the reason I really don't care for it is because Carlin usually picked targets worthy of attack - authority, government, religion - he was brilliant on those subjects and his anger justified. But a little girl's crooked teeth? In his best stuff his defiance of authority always seemed to come from a deep sense of moral outrage at blind conformity, but this bit seems really mean spirited to no purpose. That's just how I feel about this mediocre rant, though - nobody else comes close to Carlin's best stuff.
By: dakal9214
Re: George Carlin: Kids
Comedy is like sexual preference: you're born to like what ya like. Some folks like it soft and gentle, while others like it hard and completely debase.
Guess which I like.
"But a little girl's crooked teeth?... this bit seems really mean spirited to no purpose."
Good point. It's interesting that what turns you off is EXACTLY what turns me on.
The fact that Carlin, a friendly enough looking old man, can admit that he doesn't care for a small child is what makes it funny to hear. This is because the general expectation is that all old people love little kids. Which ain't true.
I, like most fans, can relate to Carlin's lack of enthusiasm for having to fain interest - even to a small child. It's like... the last level of refusal to compromise on BS. That, not even a sweet innocent child can sway the apathy and irritation.
Like his old mentor, Lenny Bruce, Carlin understood that the relationship a speaker has with the audience can be quite special. The speaker can be completely open about the less savory thoughts we ALL have. Thoughts that some of us may feel ashamed too even admit to having; not even to ourselves. So, for a moment, and in a peculiar way, the listener can become Carlin as he plainly states that he doesn't care for kids... or relatives or... anyone (for that matter).
Don't jump to concussions, though. I could never be cruel to a child, but I certainly have no problem with laughing about the little brat when they are not around. Why not? No harm... 'cept maybe... well... no, I guess there is no harm. Only healthy laughter.
Guess we adults really can say whatever the hell we want. Ain't it dandy?
Bad thoughts need to be respected; they need to be aired out from time to time. We all have 'em, so don't even try to pretend you're a fuckin' saint, you bloody hypocrite. (not pointed at anyone)
Check out this classic piece of dark comedy gold:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=irule
LMAO Attacking kids is wicked funny.
Guess which I like.
"But a little girl's crooked teeth?... this bit seems really mean spirited to no purpose."
Good point. It's interesting that what turns you off is EXACTLY what turns me on.
The fact that Carlin, a friendly enough looking old man, can admit that he doesn't care for a small child is what makes it funny to hear. This is because the general expectation is that all old people love little kids. Which ain't true.
I, like most fans, can relate to Carlin's lack of enthusiasm for having to fain interest - even to a small child. It's like... the last level of refusal to compromise on BS. That, not even a sweet innocent child can sway the apathy and irritation.
Like his old mentor, Lenny Bruce, Carlin understood that the relationship a speaker has with the audience can be quite special. The speaker can be completely open about the less savory thoughts we ALL have. Thoughts that some of us may feel ashamed too even admit to having; not even to ourselves. So, for a moment, and in a peculiar way, the listener can become Carlin as he plainly states that he doesn't care for kids... or relatives or... anyone (for that matter).
Don't jump to concussions, though. I could never be cruel to a child, but I certainly have no problem with laughing about the little brat when they are not around. Why not? No harm... 'cept maybe... well... no, I guess there is no harm. Only healthy laughter.
Guess we adults really can say whatever the hell we want. Ain't it dandy?
Bad thoughts need to be respected; they need to be aired out from time to time. We all have 'em, so don't even try to pretend you're a fuckin' saint, you bloody hypocrite. (not pointed at anyone)
Check out this classic piece of dark comedy gold:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=irule
LMAO Attacking kids is wicked funny.
By: EViLMinD
Re: George Carlin: Kids
I concede our differences and don't disagree with a lot of what you say. This will be my last comment because I'm starting to feel like I'm ragging on Carlin, who was actually one of my favorite comedians, and, I think one of the best - but maybe not at his best in his last year. If you comment after this post you definitely get the last word. Listening to someone as smart as Carlin express such anger over such a banal topic is like watching someone "put on a suit of armor to attack a hot fudge sundae" -- something Kurt Vonnegut (like Carlin, another great wordsmith) said about something totally unrelated to our discussion, but totally on the mark in my opinion.
By: dakal9214
Re: George Carlin: Kids
I'm not looking for the last word, just wanna say I hear ya - and I say thank ya.
By: EViLMinD
