“George Carlin will forever be remembered as an institution. His keen observations, non-apologetic delivery, use of language and movement were world-renowned,” comedian Dane Cook writes on his MySpace blog.
“George Carlin performance was fused together by his desire to spew at, share with, abuse and nurture a room full of people with his strong beliefs and social commentary. Yet, always resulting with an audience thoroughly entertained with endless laughter. If a comedian remarks on a routine of a fellow comic by saying something is “Carlin-esque” it’s acknowledged as a compliment of the highest regard.
He influenced me the first moment I watched his comedy. His approach to this art form gave my peers and myself permission to be anything and everything onstage. That inspiration continued throughout my career. He was a slight man who was a stand-up giant.
My thoughts and well wishes go out to his family, friends and to his fans.
For so many years doing comedy was about “killing” with a joke or a story. Learning that Mr. Carlin would dump the previous HBO specials material and work only the new routine was my new objective. I’ve done it that way since my first CD came out. Sometimes I get crap for turning over my stuff so fast but the truth is it’s because guys like Carlin and Rock taught me that is the right way to approach your comedy. Yes all comedians have covered all topics, but it reminded me that no one has seen or experienced life through my eyes.
Carlin showed me that you can’t f*ck with the truth. I admire guys that challenge themselves as performers and I appreciate being appreciated for that same objective. I throw a sincere thank you to George Carlin for this discovery! I’ve put out my new CDs and specials right after the next because I’ve figured out how to say and share what I think and feel. It’s often rag tag or freshly polished but it’s my road and people seem to like traveling it with me.
Steve Martin and George Carlin are both a massive part of my success. Not comedy success. Life success. I am a better person because I listened to not just their jokes but to their meaning you know the metaphors riddled inside of them. Like great art everyone gets something different out of a joke. I get emails telling me a joke sucks ass and then the next one the joke is the best thing ever. Neither one dictates my direction anymore. I let go of that pain / pleasure long, long ago. Caring about being loved or hated is no longer the quest nor has it been for a minute. To be rewarded for caring about the unknown is what it’s all about. Praise for attempted evolution is so cool. The gray area is what I thrive on. I win because I try. Or I lose because I try. I’ve failed more times than not but I don’t mind. It’s from my heart. Everything I say.
George (and I loved him because my dads name is George and I always thought that made my pops funnier) Carlin is gone. Where to? No idea. Somewhere he created I hope. I will take the stage this week and like most nights challenge myself to be better and truer than ever.
Most comedians I know are talking about George Carlin like this today and will continue to as weeks and gigs roll by us. The great news is George ain’t gone completely. Comedians are inspired today and are going to take the stage and speak their routines from their heart because he did that and we should do that. Will it wear off? Yea, f*ck yeah, some will go back to the basics but not all of them. Go see live comedy ASAP. You are going to watch that last bit of Carlin rub off on a new generation of performers.”
