June 18: "George Carlin To Receive Mark Twain Humor Prize"

[JackRiddler]

Without a doubt, Carlin was the closest thing to Mark Twain we had, along with, in a very different way, Lewis Lapham, who I hope lives to 101.

No need for "rest in peace" - Carlin knew where he was going all along. Absolutely nowhere.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061702519.html


Bleep! Bleep! George Carlin To Receive Mark Twain Humor Prize

PHOTO: The 71-year-old comic is known for his "Seven Dirty Words" routine, which got the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court. (By Robert Sebree -- Associated Press)

By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 18, 2008; Page C01


A comic quiz:

Who was the first host ever of "Saturday Night Live"?

Who appeared with Doris Day in "With Six You Get Eggroll"?

And who has appeared on "The Tonight Show" more than 130 times?

If you answered George Carlin, you perhaps have spent too much time listening to his 22 albums or watching his 14 specials on HBO, or are a true, true fan.

In the comic spotlight for more than 50 years, Carlin was tapped yesterday by the Kennedy Center to receive this year's Mark Twain Prize, a lifetime achievement award presented to an outstanding comedian.

Carlin, 71, reinvented social commentary, discussing everything from religion and politics to airport security. He excelled at stand-up, whether at the Roostertail in Detroit, the old Cellar Door in Washington or Carnegie Hall. His three books have been bestsellers. He has won four Grammy Awards, spanning 1973 to 2002. His TV shows have been nominated for five Emmys.

The Kennedy Center said his material and style made him a perfect Twain recipient.

"In his lengthy career as a comedian, writer and actor, George Carlin has not only made us laugh, but he makes us think. His influence on the next generation of comics has been far-reaching," said Stephen A. Schwarzman, the center's chairman.

Carlin issued a statement saying, "Thank you Mr. Twain. Have your people call my people."

He once summed up his approach: "I think it is the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."

MORE AT LINK
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[grasswire]

1. oh, and he didn't get the prize!!

That's very sad.

[JackRiddler]

2. Yes, he did.

He's just not showing up for the award ceremony on Nov. 10th.

[SeattleGirl]

3. "Thank you, Mr. Twain. Have your people call my people."

Well, I guess they can talk face to face now.

[JackRiddler]

4. I doubt that's what either of them would believe.

But you never know.

[SeattleGirl]

5. Well, I wasn't necessarily referring to heaven.

I mean, who knows. They might be kicking back in some other dimension right now. :)

[JackRiddler]

6. A group of Carlin videos on youtube

Starting with one of his most important speeches, on America as tyranny.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oI5EY5kqiBU

[SeattleGirl]

7. Thank goodness for youtube

So much of his "stuff" right at our fingertips.

[malaise]

16. Thanks a million n/t

[momster]

8. Would have paid $$$

to see George Carlin and George W. Peabrain in the same room. What GC would have said...because he just didn't give a fuck what anybody thought and I'm sure he had nothing but contempt for GWB.

[JackRiddler]

11. Bush would have been there? How do you know this?

Or rather: Certainly the ceremony will go on, are you saying BUSH is going to be at what will now effectively turn into a memorial tribute to the life of George Carlin?

Now this, my friends, is gravedancing. It's wrong.

[momster]

13. Grave-dancing?

Are you full of it? The president usually attends all the Kennedy Center Honors...because Mrs. Bush (like most First Ladies) is on the Board of Trustees.

And I said that I would have loved to see George Carlin do his stuff in the president's face. Try reading with a little more attention.

[JackRiddler]

14. yes, actually.

Bush has no business at a ceremony for George Carlin *after* Carlin's demise. Carlin hated power and the system Bush heads and would have surely ripped him into tiny, tiny pieces. Instead, Bush gets to sit there while none of the tributes dares to take him on, as Carlin would have.

[book_worm]

18. presidents usually not the Mark Twain Award, Bush wasn't there for Bob Newhart or Steve Martin

they attend the major Kennedy Center honors which takes place in December.

[JackRiddler]

19. Thanks for saving us the conspiracy theory!

;)

[JackRiddler]

9. a vigorous boot to the ass of the thoroughly befogged

[Echo In Light]

10. "who has appeared on "The Tonight Show" more than 130 times?" At times on LSD

...according to him. :bounce:

[KharmaTrain]

12. He's Going To A Garage In Buffalo

He said that decades ago. :rofl:

I'll bet I have most of those albums and specials. In fact, an internet station I work with is planning a Carlinfest this Sunday night...

Someone once described George as a cross between Will Rogers and Lenny Bruce...his stuff made too much sense and always had an edge to it. It's a shame it took the Twain folks this long to recognize him...but I expect that the show will go on and this event will now become a tribute to this man's true genius. I expect PBS will record it and we'll get to enjoy as well this fall.

[malaise]

15. Carlin and Twain

Perfect.

"I think it is the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."

[pokerfan]

22. Carlin, Twain and ... Lorne Michaels?

Interesting bunch for something called a 'Mark Twain Prize.'

* 1998 - Richard Pryor
* 1999 - Jonathan Winters
* 2000 - Carl Reiner
* 2001 - Whoopi Goldberg
* 2002 - Bob Newhart
* 2003 - Lily Tomlin
* 2004 - Lorne Michaels
* 2005 - Steve Martin
* 2006 - Neil Simon
* 2007 - Billy Crystal
* 2008 - George Carlin (to be presented posthumously)

[JackRiddler]

17. George Carlin on language - delivers his own obituary.

Priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67k9eEw9AY

[JackRiddler]

20. nighttime kick

[JackRiddler]

21. ... flurries of sunshine expected in the morning!