In the age of entertainment being boiled down to a bunch of assholes being voted off contrived talent shows, dating shows, fashion shows, modeling shows, plastic surgery shows, and all the other retarded crap out there; we suffered a real loss yesterday when George Carlin’s heart finally crapped out on him.
Carlin was a no-bullshit guy thriving in a world of bullshit. The great thing about Carlin was not that he was funny, but that he had fantastic perspective. He questioned everything and challenged societal mores. I don’t even find Carlin all that funny, which he clearly was as gauged by his massive audience. I mostly enjoyed Carlin when he called us out on all the hypocrisy we submerge ourselves in.
I spend a lot of time in the car and I listen to XM radio almost exclusively. I listen to Stand-up Comedy, Sports/News talk and Music at about a 40-40-20 ratio respectively, so I have become fairly well versed in the stand-up world. In the last 4 or 5 years that I have been listening to XM, I’ve learned something very interesting about comics. The best ones aren’t the grossest, or the funniest, or the dirtiest, or the best at ripping off other comics; the best ones are the smartest, the most clever, and the most creative. They innovate, they deliver, and they have something to say.
A while back I drafted a list of MY favorite comics, planning on writing about the subject. They are, in no particular order and not necessarily all-inclusive:
LIVING
- Todd Barry: drier than a vermouth-less martini, ultra- clever.
- Robert Schimmel: filthy in the most self-deprecating way.
- Louis CK: see above.
- Doug Stanhope: I bet most people hate him, but if you want something raw and real, check him out. He personifies “I don’t give a shit about what you think.”
- Dave Chappelle: might be the best we have today.
- Kathleen Madigan: Simply makes me laugh every time.
- Joe Rogan: I didn’t even know he did stand-up until we caught his act at the Comedy Works in Denver. He is really filthy, but the crowd was laughing so loud we missed half the act.
- David Cross: Right wingers will hate him because he’s ultra liberal, but he’s dry, clever, and ironic.
- Chis Rock: Tossed Salad Man, enough said.
- Eddie Izzard: Funniest cross-dresser since Uncle Milty.
- John Pinette: Much more than just a fat guy doing fat jokes.
OLD SCHOOL and /or DEAD
- Mitch Hedberg: Always sounded high because he always was….but so weird you couldn’t help but laugh.
- Red Foxx: the standard for “blue” nightclub performers.
- Eddie Murphy: Raw was one of the best ever.
- Richard Pryor: You’ve probably heard of him.
- Freddie Prinze: I wonder if his kid knows how huge his dad was? His stand up was even better than Chico and the Man.
- Bill Hicks: Stanhope light.
Carlin didn’t even make my list because I only listen to him about 50% of the time he came on XM, but really, anyone would be hard pressed to leave him off such a list. Love him or hate him, with him gone, the world has become less interesting.
And now in George’s honor, the SEVEN DIRTY WORDS: shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits.
Thanks George. Have a good trip.
Posted by Angie in Texas on June 23, 2008 at 11:45 pm
i LOVE eddie izzard! and doug standhope is always good for a laugh. (steve bryne is also funny – and a hottie, too!)*gawd, i miss my XM radio now . . .
Posted by Josie on June 24, 2008 at 3:11 am
Tits on the Ritz!!!I was genuinely sad when I heard this in the am.We’ve lost an original.
Posted by MammaLoves on June 24, 2008 at 4:09 am
Unlike George, I’m not dead just crazy busy. Like the new digs, though I don’t know about this extra clicking crap to read the rest of your words.Hope you’re well.
Posted by Ottis on June 24, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Always liked Steven Wright. Not cutting edge in terms of social issues, but clever.
Posted by familyfantasysports on June 25, 2008 at 5:45 pm
George will be missed. I think you’re right about Dave Chappelle being the best we have today, but David Cross is right there too..especially during his stint on Arrested Development.
Posted by LiteralDan on July 19, 2008 at 7:02 pm
That is a fantastic list, but calling Bill Hicks "Stanhope light" may be grounds for execution in certain circles. Certain correct and reasonable circles.