George Carlin Dead At 71: "It's A Wonderful Feeling To Have Found Something You're Good At, That You Love To Do"

George Carlin — comic, envelope-pusher, bedeviler of censors everywhere — died yesterday of heart failure at age 71. Carlin was a comedy giant, a legend and a pioneer for his sharp observations and wicked, fearless commentary — the kind that occasionally got him in trouble, like, say, getting arrested for violating FCC obscenity laws, a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court (and, er, upheld the FCC's right to decide what was obscene). That was for "The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" — most of which you still can't say on television (but which apparently have no problem showing up on Twitter). Either way, Carlin definitely moved the needle.

I was lucky enough to interview Carlin earlier this year, and was so impressed by our conversation that I transcribed almost all of it, and the result was a 4,500-word interview that was illuminating and thoughtful and smart (his part, at least). I was surprised at how engaged he was online, the breadth of his reading and media consumption, and he had some interesting and sharp observations about politics, media, comedy, religion, and why people can be so f-ing stupid. Here's one he made about himself, though, and it's worth recalling now:

It's a wonderful feeling to have found something you're good at, that you love to do, and that other people think you do well. Those are the three elements, I think, that go into being happy: Find something you love, be good at it, and have other people pat you on the back and say "good job."

Good job, George. R.I.P.

Carlin, counterculture comedians' dean, dies at 71 [AP]
George Carlin, Pioneering Comedian, Dead at 71 [EW]
George Carlin, Splenetic Comedian, Dies at 71 [NYT]

Interview:
George Carlin Reads More Blogs Than You Do [ETP]

Video:
George Carlin Dies: Video Highlights From His Career [HuffPo]

Comments

[Glykon]

Hello George,
I am going to create a New Folder on my desktop, but not for dead ones, no, this one will be for people like you. Your name will be in this folder and after 6 weeks it will be still there. Actually it will never delete it. It will always stay on my desktop, mind and heart. If I would ever be an American I would like to be like you. Hey, George, you did a great job! Thank you!

[Ramus]

My memories of Carlin are from the late sixties and early seventies.­.. hilarious and smart. ... a real wordsmith. I still think about him everytime I hear announcements in airports and on the airplane..­when they're telling you the things to do in case the plane lands in the ocean. And his part about how to smoke pot in the airplane rest room was pretty funny too. He was a comedic giant..R.I­.P.

[KarateKid]

George, it's hard to believe you're gone. Where did the time go? R.I.P.

Good bye, George, and.......­thanks.

[elcojonu]

One of my favorites quotes from my fellow New Yorker.
' I don't believe in God, I believe in Joe Pesci '.
He was one-of-a-kind; shit I'll miss him.

[AtomiClash]

We'll all miss you, George. You were a true original.

[Canuck3]

I remember sitting in Fred's parents' basement listening to "the seven deadly words" on his portable record player. I also remember ten years earlier listening to "The Hippy-Dippy Weatherman" at Chess club (I think it was also in Fred's basement). George Carlin was one of my true heroes and someone who in a small way had an influence on the development of my outlook on life. See ya George (or actually I guess I won't ;-) ) ...

But anyway, he contributed when he was alive in a way that most of us can only dream of. Leave a legacy he did. Great stuff George - well done.

[Quipman]

My wife and I saw George Carlin for the first time in concert last year. He was breaking in a new show and he was at the top of his game despite having to refer to some notes. He will be truly missed. God bless you George.

[PigLipstick]

Today's generation probably doesn't know much about George as he set the standard for what is now common place in the standup comedy world. He was a giant intellect in a world of pea brains, a free agent in a world of cookie cutter minions. As one poster said below; "Now, who is going to get me through my senior years?".

[meanguy]

a funny funny guy, who said a lot between the laughs

[stav506]

From political/social humor down to a good o' fashioned fart joke. One of the best of his trade to ever grace this Earth.

My 2 favorite quotes from him:

I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.

Jesus was a cross dresser.

[stav506]

George, this one's for you. I shall never forget these wnderful words of wisdom you imparted on us all.

"Rat shit Bat shit dirty old twat, 69 assholes tied in a knot....ho­oooray....­Lizard Shit! F*CK!"

One of the best things about your comedy was your range. From political/social humor down to a good ol' fashioned fart joke.

George, you shall be missed.

[PAposter]

Sad news...wha­t a great comedian with a brilliant mind. God Bless you George Carlin.

[ZioKai]

I'm stunned. George Carlin was one of my heroes and one of the most important voices in my life. I am so glad that I saw him, with my brother, a few years ago. I was planning to see him again in Las Vegas later this summer. He will go down in American history as a unique and important voice of his age. His body of work will stand for a long time. Thank you, George, for everything.

[gypsywannabe]

He was my favorite comedian - I loved him since the "hippy dippy weatherman" days. I didn't agree with everything he said but with most of it. He had a way of telling the audience a vignette that made them laugh, and then upon reflection, made them think. Bless you George....­..........

[unclesmedley]

Now he will learn the answer to his conundrum: "If God is all powerful, could he build a rock so big that he himself cannot move it?"

Sad is his passing, but not so sad as he had been during the ten years since he lost his wife. Happy Reunion, George & Brenda. Thanx for the laughs.