George Carlin dies at 71. (country, albums, member, quote, talent)

ashtray · 06-23-2008, 05:52 PM

This sucks.

Comedian George Carlin dies in Los Angeles at 71
Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:29am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.

Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine called "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of the routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the 1978 case, Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation, the top U.S. court ruled that the words cited in Carlin's routine were indecent, and that the government's broadcast regulator could ban them from being aired at times when children might be listening.

Carlin's comedic sensibility often came back to a central theme: humanity is doomed.

"I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas," he told Reuters in a 2001 interview.

Carlin, who wrote several books and performed in many television comedy specials, is survived by his wife Sally Wade, and daughter Kelly Carlin McCall.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman and Steve Gorman; Editing by Patricia Zengerle)

R.I.P

May 12, 1937-June 22, 2008

simplephysics · 06-23-2008, 05:57 PM

This is very upsetting news.

jackhammer · 06-23-2008, 06:00 PM

Loved drugs, swore and upset Middle America AND starred in Bill and Ted's Excellent adventure. Hat's off Sir and @ 71 a good innings. Enjoy the lie in Sir!

~~Farfisa~~ · 06-23-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Here's a bumper sticker I'd like to see: "We are the proud parents of a child who's self-esteem is sufficient that he doesn't need us promoting his minor scholastic achievements on the back of our car."

I'd really like to see that...

bsmix · 06-23-2008, 06:11 PM

His comedy was genius for so long. I'll miss his free thinking and raw truth.
YouTube - george carlin nails it

~~The Unfan~~ · 06-23-2008, 06:45 PM

One of the greatest minds in recent history.

R.I.P.

NSW · 06-23-2008, 09:05 PM

Farewell George....

Loser · 06-23-2008, 10:11 PM

This is sad news.
Carlin was a real talent in the comedic world...Very funny.
What a shame...

Billabong01 · 06-23-2008, 10:59 PM

r.i.p.

mr. goth glam · 06-26-2008, 09:01 AM

I'm twenty-three years old.

As far back as I can remember...I've wanted to be a stand-up comic (which I have gotten to do in the last year)...and I don't think any one comic has been a bigger or longer influence on that desire than George Carlin was.

I remember first hearing one of his albums when I was about six or so years old and just being completely blown away. Thinking that this had to be one of the greatest jobs in the world.

I'm still pretty saddened by this, but I guess considering his past heart trouble and long history of drug use it's pretty lucky (for him and us) that he went this long.

With George's passing, I would say we are witnessing the end of an era.

06-23-2008, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
ashtray Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canerrrrduuuh Posts: 134	George Carlin dies at 71. This sucks. Comedian George Carlin dies in Los Angeles at 71 Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:29am EDT LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71. Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters. Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine called "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of the routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court. In the 1978 case, Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation, the top U.S. court ruled that the words cited in Carlin's routine were indecent, and that the government's broadcast regulator could ban them from being aired at times when children might be listening. Carlin's comedic sensibility often came back to a central theme: humanity is doomed. "I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas," he told Reuters in a 2001 interview. Carlin, who wrote several books and performed in many television comedy specials, is survived by his wife Sally Wade, and daughter Kelly Carlin McCall. (Reporting by Dean Goodman and Steve Gorman; Editing by Patricia Zengerle) R.I.P May 12, 1937-June 22, 2008

06-23-2008, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Loved drugs, swore and upset Middle America AND starred in Bill and Ted's Excellent adventure. Hat's off Sir and @ 71 a good innings. Enjoy the lie in Sir! __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-23-2008, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
bsmix Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Posts: 179	His comedy was genius for so long. I'll miss his free thinking and raw truth. YouTube - george carlin nails it __________________ a music nazi....is still a nazi

06-23-2008, 09:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Farewell George.... __________________ Hi.

06-23-2008, 10:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Billabong01 Groupie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23	r.i.p. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/xadicemal http://www.youtube.com/user/xcgm

06-23-2008, 06:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
~~The Unfan~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Methville Posts: 2,116	One of the greatest minds in recent history. R.I.P.

06-23-2008, 10:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Loser The Professor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 1,113	This is sad news. Carlin was a real talent in the comedic world...Very funny. What a shame...

06-26-2008, 09:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
mr. goth glam Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Waverly, VA. Posts: 406	I'm twenty-three years old. As far back as I can remember...I've wanted to be a stand-up comic (which I have gotten to do in the last year)...and I don't think any one comic has been a bigger or longer influence on that desire than George Carlin was. I remember first hearing one of his albums when I was about six or so years old and just being completely blown away. Thinking that this had to be one of the greatest jobs in the world. I'm still pretty saddened by this, but I guess considering his past heart trouble and long history of drug use it's pretty lucky (for him and us) that he went this long. With George's passing, I would say we are witnessing the end of an era. __________________