I know I have very recently stated that I thought George Carlin had lost his fastball, but I should've said something a little bit better than that. While Ol' George from Rockaway Beach may not have brought the heat all the time, he could still hit the strike zone and blow one by you every once in awhile. Ever see Pedro with a busted shoulder a few years ago...say 2004? That's been George's last 2 specials. Not great, but that's only because of all the great things he's done. It pails in comparison to his other work. It also pails in my mind.
I started watching George when I was a kid, circa 1983 or 1984, at my Gram's house in the summer. She had cable, HBO in particular, and the only thing they'd show was Star Wars, Rocky III or if you were lucky, George Carlin, Bill Cosby or Red Skelton.
Pretty much, George was the first 'smart' comic I ever saw. Cosby's 'Himself' was genius and still stands up, but George made me think. He later cracked my friends and I up before we ever watched a movie. And we'd get in trouble for laughing at each other copying his lines.
George, I know you had your issues with religion, but Godspeed, sir. You had a career any of us could dream of, and I'm going to look for that dusty VHS tape of your special in 1990, it's probably got no tracking, but I will always cherish my friends and I sitting around the TV laughing hysterically at that special.
And KP, this one's for you......enjoy the cheer we begged for in high school.
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