Avenue G

Carlin dishing out sacrilege -- Picture courtesy Wikipedia

by blogSpotter
George Carlin is a favorite comedian of mine. In the '60's, he was very cutting edge, seen by some as the successor to Lenny Bruce. In 2006, as he approaches the 70 mark, he's about as cutting edge as a Bill Cosby Jello commercial to most young people. Nevertheless, I like his rascally nature and his unusual take on things. Carlin began his career as a DJ in Bosier City, Louisiana at age 20. From there, he developed a comedy act which eventually led him to Rowan and Martin's Laugh In where he did his zoned-out hippie dippie weatherman character.

I'm now listening to his latest book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?". I love the thought-provoking sacrilege in the title. As the first Christian, did Jesus have to remain Kosher? Or was he technically even a Christian? I feel certain he never had a cheeseburger; there were no Sonics or Wendy's at the time. Mr. Carlin -- shame on you for making me ponder such things. Carlin spends a lot of time discussing word play. He's bothered by job-inflation euphemisms -- why is a clerk now a "sales associate"? Likewise, he's bothered by politically correct speech; "differently-abled" has no real meaning since all of us are "differently-abled". He considers it to be the feminization of speech. Speaking of femininity, Carlin deems the names of feminine deodorants as boring (e.g., Summer's Eve). He proposes Vaginilla and Lime Labia. In the chapter I just finished, Carlin feels that the ultimate wimp sign is "Thank You for Not Smoking". Carlin would put up a sign that reads:

"If you light a cigarette, we will extinguish it somewhere on the surface of your body".

I'm shocked, I'm appalled and furthermore I'm entertained. Carlin's rants couldn't be taken too seriously, some of them don't even make that much sense. The hippie dippie comic has probably availed himself of some mood enhancers – it expands his imagination to be sure. In closing, I can only imagine Jesus enjoying a baked ham and a milk shake. Be gone these blasphemous thoughts, lest I start laughing again.

© 2006 blogSpotter.

Labels: Book Reviews