Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

A friend of mine introduced me to George Carlin back in college.  Prior to that, I heard his name used on occasion, but I only thought he was some old fart goof.  The first time my friend played George Carlin, I was quite shocked at his vulgar and hard hitting style of comedy.  But even then it didn't make much of an impact upon me.

Later this past year, I found some of Carlin's famous live performances on YouTube after being intrigued by his (literally) cock sucking, hitch hiking character shown in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.  Being more socially aware these days, I instantly bonded to his commentary, finding what he said to be on the mark.  His brand of comedy isn't naturally for everyone.  But if you have beliefs like myself, then you'll love his poignant statements.

To this day, I often quote from Carlin.  I'll never get out of my head things like "golfing Connecticut rich faggots" or "those crooks on Wallstreet."  One of my personal favorite performances of his was when he talked about airport security.  I love how he just completely debased airport security as a perpetuated myth to keep white middle class Americans feeling safe.  Absolutely true.  I've even heard that particular speech was given prior to 9-11, so it's interesting to note his social prescience.

Some people had Carlin's comedy almost nihilistic.  Maybe to a certain degree, but I think that he has some good points in it.  He's comforted in nihilism because the shit around us stinks so badly that nothing is still better comparatively. 

It's going to be hard or near impossible to find the level of cutting edge comedy Carlin could dish out.  He had a philosophy behind his humor, kinda like a postmodern Dante.  But he never really preached his philosophy as a religion, but satirized it and the whole notion of institutionalism to keep himself clean.

I find it very disappointing that I will never have an opportunity to see George Carlin live.  Sadly, I had left Las Vegas about a week after he would return.  So I had missed the very last opportunity to see a real comedic genius at work.  The other thing that saddens me is that I'll never have an opportunity to speak with the man.  I think the two of us would bond quite well as we share extremely similar beliefs (at least from what I could discern from his stand up performances).

But I will say that it was a real pleasure having someone like George Carlin on this Earth to provide that little bit of enlightenment.  You'll be sorely missed.