Audio By Carbonatix
Long ago, there were two boys named George who joined the military to fly airplanes. However, neither George was really up on that whole discipline thing and had issues reporting for duty. But while George B. had the safety net of a big-shot father in Congress, George C. — whose father died when he was young — had nothing to lose; he was eventually discharged for his youthful indiscretions. Now, decades later, George B., a politician, struggles to obscure his records while George C., a comedian, posts his discharge papers on the Internet for the world to see. But that’s where the similarities end between George Carlin and George W. Bush.
The entertainment world has changed a lot since Carlin started cracking jokes. The vulgarity of basic cable comedy shows makes Carlin’s seven words you can’t say in public a thing for the history books. Does this mean his cup hath runneth over? Sure, Carlin’s material doesn’t have the shock-and-awe effect it once did (that gig’s been co-opted by the other George), but damn it, the guy’s got soul while other comics seek refuge behind a wall of less-than-sincere irony. Aside from Carlin’s clever one-liners (“If you love someone, set them free; if they come home, set them on fire”), he’s still about mixing common sense with comic sense. His latest CD, Complaints and Grievances, is just that, ranging from everyday annoyances (“Singers with One Name”) to his perennial qualms about religion (“Why We Don’t Need Ten Commandments”). Yes, Carlin’s still bitching about religion. Go ahead and call him a broken record, but he talks about this stuff because, frankly — it’s 2004 and our country’s still ruled by the fear of God.
So if you’re looking for a night of witty, forward-thinking humor, Carlin’s your man. If you want something insincere and ironic, stay home and watch that other militarily challenged George debate a war veteran. Let’s just hope enough people get that joke. — Jason Budjinski