Carlin died today of heart failure at the age of 71. While a prolific comedian and writer, Carlin is best known for challenging restrictions on free speech with his most famous routine. At a comedy club in Milwaukee in 1972 he performed the “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” Well, apparently you weren’t allowed to say them in real life, either, because he was arrested. Ultimately, a judge released him citing his right to free speech.
From the Village Voice, here is the list of the 7 words, and a transcript of the act that resulted in his arrest and, ultimately, the challenge to restrictions on the first amendment that has helped to keep us (somewhat) free.
You can gush over George Carlin all you want regarding his “groundbreaking” work in the area of “free speech.” However, he was a left wing dirtbag and got worse as he grew older.
1974, Shady Grove Theatre, Maryland.
I had just finished my freshman year of college and went home for the summer. My best friend from high school and I went to see George Carlin.
In front of us was a mother in her 30’s with her grade school boy. We couldn’t believe she was there. They lasted most of the classic Carlin material, but got more and more agitated-until he got to the 7 words. “There’s a *>)#^9 on the loose”!” She then stood up muttering and stormed out. We had one more laugh that night. She was surprised?
Carlin could be very funny in the 1970’s and 80’s but he became increasingly bitter and nasty (as do all too many comedians) as he got older. R.I.P. though.
I wonder if Carlin ever told jokes about Islam? Probably not – there is nothing more conformist than “countercultural” these days.
At any rate, thanks to Carlin we can utter the “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” without fear of reprisal. The middle name of He Whose Middle Name Must Not Be Mentioned is another matter…..
May he now rest in peace …but…
What happens to these comedians that go from side splitting funny (the Hippy Dippy Weatherman) when they began entertaining to the bitter, angry almost disturbing comedians like George Carlin…
I also thought he was one of the funniest guys on TV. As he got older, I found it difficult to watch his entire show on HBO…the ranting and raving was not funny…more often than not, I wouldn’t even tune it in…
Is it a sign of progress that you *can* say two of those words on broadcast television now and all of them on premium cable?
The best Carlin humor I ever saw was unintentional. (Though I admit I was not alive at the height of his fame.)
One night, Jay Leno had George Carlin as his first guest and Ann Coulter as his second. There was a lot of anticipation that the two firebrands of the left and right would have a blow out on stage…
The film stills show that they got along great; George Carlin spent most of the segment staring at Ann Coulter’s legs.