George Carlin Dead at 71
Filed Under Stand-Up Comedy
We’ve hit the end of era, my friends. George Carlin has died. (To paraphrase an observation from his HBO special “Doin’ It Again”, he didn’t pass away or expire like a magazine subscription, he god damn died.)
The cause was heart failure. Even though Carlin had two heart surgeries over the course of his life, he still seemed in good shape. And he was still a vital artist, recording his 14th HBO special “It’s Bad For Ya” this year. His website schedule listed several upcoming shows until the end of the year.
The Kennedy Center had just recently announced that Carlin would receive the 2008 Mark Twain Prize for Humor. The event celebrating this honor is set to take place on November 10th of this year. Though it’s a shame that it’ll be posthumous, at least Carlin got off a quip about it, telling Mark Twain ““have your people call my people.” (Tickets for the ceremony will go on sale August 11th)
New York Times Obituary
Los Angeles Times Obituary
Carlin’s most well known routine: Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television, from his second HBO special “George Carlin: Again.”
I’m more than a little shocked and laid low by this news. Entry will be updated as more comes in.
Updates
Hulu’s posts Carlin’s monologue from SNL’s first episode
HBO plans a George Carlin marathon
and my own personal remembrance of George Carlin, featuring some audio that I’ll always treasure.
Tragic, somehow you believe guys like Carlin will live forever.