When Donald Trump was elected to be the 45th President of the United States, my first thought was instantaneous: what would George Carlin think of this election and its result? The legendary funny man would have collected enough material during the 2016 race for at least two tours, three albums, and a separate podcast.
Nine years ago, Carlin passed away at the gritty old age of 71, and that wasn't enough time for his fans, which covered millions of souls across the world. He was loved because he didn't care what the audience thought, and even better, he didn't waste a minute of the audience's time.
Carlin said all the little things that many quietly thought, but wouldn't dare say. On a stage. In front of millions. Out loud. He proudly and routinely crossed the line drawn in the sand by the politically correct crowd that hundreds of comics wouldn't go near. The man would attack the church, the government and Bono all in a matter of 15 minutes. He didn't care what people thought about his opinions, and it wasn't an act. With Carlin, what you saw was the real deal.
He told TV and radio people the seven words you couldn't say, ranted about musicians with one name and made fun of people who struck somebody with their car and tried to help that person. He wasn't just hilarious; Carlin was unique and important.
When I think of his comedy, I think of the influence he gave so many people. Jim Jeffries, Bill Burr, and so many others can take the stage and say what they want due to Carlin's bravery. Make no mistake, getting up on that brightly lit stage to make a stranger laugh is no joke or easy endeavor. He turned it into an art form.
My favorite Carlin standup was "Complaints and Grievances," and not just because it came a month after 9/11 in New York. Sure, he got rid of the elephant in the room with a quip about how to catch Osama Bin Laden, but it was the versatility of that show that struck a chord. He talked about the ten commandments and how to trim them down, ranted about weak boy names (Kyleeeeee!!), and had a word or two about men who left music on their outgoing messages. Simple, substantial, and direct. All the time.
I miss Carlin's work. A bit during his last standup still sits close to my chest, because it's so true. It was less than a year before he died, and he looked weathered and tired on the stage. He was just about done but had a few more rounds in him. It wasn't a speech on politics or religion, but a comment about funerals and people's reaction. I'm paraphrasing a bit here, so stick with me.
"When you lose someone, and people walk up to you at the wake to ask you if you need anything, it's (baloney). They don't really mean that. It's fake. The next time someone asks you if there is anything they can do, tell them to clean your toilet or redo the roof. Put them to work, because they will quickly get away."
It was something so commonly thought but rarely said. People at funerals and wakes who act like they want to help, but really don't. They are being nice, but not sincere. Carlin pointed that out right as he was about to kick the bucket. I am sure no one did that at his funeral. They knew better.
Carlin wasn't perfect. He did a lot of drugs, drank too much alcohol and didn't treat his body like a temple. He was part of a two-man standup group early on in his career before breaking out on his own and doing things his way. Sometimes, you have to figure out what works before you can find the sweet spot.
He did.
The great thing about artists is what they leave behind can be cherished for decades. Carlin may be gone, but his themes and morals live on. He would have ripped into Trump and Hilary Clinton like a shotgun pellet rips into the trunk of a tree. Little by little, until they fall. The election would have been a spectacle of joy due to the Tommy Gun of material gained by Carlin. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I picture him looking at Trump and going, "is this dude for real?"
Rest in peace, George. You influenced a legion of comics to stand on their own two feet, and be themselves on the big bright stage. Comedians can leave a dent in their profession. Carlin knocked down a wall.
