I bought ALL the George Carlin DVD's a while back. Never gets old. This bit sounds like George had just finished reading "The Underground History of American Education" by John Taylor Gatto. Everyone should read that book. It's free on line.
I remember reading an interview on one of his kids where she was saying her family found it difficult to be around Carlin towards the end of his life because he had become "dark".
I only saw Carlin as becoming better as he got older, but certainly he did become "darker" because his commentary on American society reflected the ongoing cultural decay.
So in the regard, I suppose he might have turned a lot of people off due to his biting/truthful commentary on the reality.
There are times I must take a break from "the news", so I guess I can relate just a little...but it's much better to be in tune to reality than hide from it no matter how "dark" it may be.
Carlin at least made it funny at times. There are others who have done so in a similar manner, Lenny Bruce & Mike Judge(Idiocracy) to name a couple off the top of my head.
The same can be said of "Beavis & Butthead" too. On the surface, it seemed nothing but toilet humor.
There are many episodes of biting social commentary when you look closely. As an informal member of "Generation X", I can tell you that it was routinely discussed in both ways among my group of friends at the time and I'm guessing there were lots of others in that generation doing the same.
It was almost comical to watch the "big" political figures of the day get incensed over the show. Also, the irony of idiots making intelligent/funny commentary on video and topics of the day was not lost on most.
Plus, everyone knew that "Winger" really did suck and that people that liked them were douche-bags.
:)
You know, it's funny but I just realized I typed in "Lenny Bruce" when meaning Bill Hicks, but hey...they had similarities.
I bought ALL the George Carlin DVD's a while back. Never gets old.
ReplyDeleteThis bit sounds like George had just finished reading "The Underground History of American Education" by John Taylor Gatto. Everyone should read that book. It's free on line.
Yes, it does sound that way, indeed. RIP, George Carlin. Your like is thin on the ground at any time, and doesn't exist at all these days.
DeleteWe need another great wit like his.
I remember reading an interview on one of his kids where she was saying her family found it difficult to be around Carlin towards the end of his life because he had become "dark".
ReplyDeleteI only saw Carlin as becoming better as he got older, but certainly he did become "darker" because his commentary on American society reflected the ongoing cultural decay.
So in the regard, I suppose he might have turned a lot of people off due to his biting/truthful commentary on the reality.
There are times I must take a break from "the news", so I guess I can relate just a little...but it's much better to be in tune to reality than hide from it no matter how "dark" it may be.
Carlin at least made it funny at times. There are others who have done so in a similar manner, Lenny Bruce & Mike Judge(Idiocracy) to name a couple off the top of my head.
"Idiocracy": A brilliant movie disguised as a dumb movie.
Delete@ Capn
DeleteThe same can be said of "Beavis & Butthead" too. On the surface, it seemed nothing but toilet humor.
There are many episodes of biting social commentary when you look closely. As an informal member of "Generation X", I can tell you that it was routinely discussed in both ways among my group of friends at the time and I'm guessing there were lots of others in that generation doing the same.
It was almost comical to watch the "big" political figures of the day get incensed over the show. Also, the irony of idiots making intelligent/funny commentary on video and topics of the day was not lost on most.
Plus, everyone knew that "Winger" really did suck and that people that liked them were douche-bags.
:)
You know, it's funny but I just realized I typed in "Lenny Bruce" when meaning Bill Hicks, but hey...they had similarities.
Nick,
DeleteYou can't go wrong with Lenny! :)