This was my first proper George Carlin special that I saw and considering that the man had a tremendous respect, I went with tons of expectations. I am not a proper stand up comedy person and have only watched few specials, majority of which I disliked. Coming to this, it started off slowly and on a tangent. However, Carlin soon got to the point as soon as he started talking about morbid topics. It was both humorous and the way he presented it, it was a way of lampooning the human society in general.
He moves next to specifically addressing USA's problems, harping much on the obesity crisis that has gripped the country and which remains relevant even today. Furthur blurring the line between comedy and social relevance is his attack on the corporations and rich folks that contain USA into it's backpocket. I personally found the first part superior to the second part where IMO, the quality of jokes goes quite average.
This isn't the funniest show where people will lie in splits after watching it. But the comedians who often do so often rely on sexual innuendo ( though even Carlin can't help himself from relying on it in the second half ), personal remarks on audiences and all that crass that comes with it. That kind of low brow humour is easier to create but what Carlin does is probably deliver more of a sermon from which the listeners pluck out laughters. He doesn't stoop to attacking his audience members but rather present a mirror to the human society. And I believe that while I may hear more upcoming folks on Youtube delivering, say more laughter per minute for the audience, Carlin's words will resonate with me far after those puny jokes from other comedians have come and gone. And I think, humour that stays long after the show has finished and which has longetivity and which is relevant even nearly two decades later, is much superior than other forms.
He moves next to specifically addressing USA's problems, harping much on the obesity crisis that has gripped the country and which remains relevant even today. Furthur blurring the line between comedy and social relevance is his attack on the corporations and rich folks that contain USA into it's backpocket. I personally found the first part superior to the second part where IMO, the quality of jokes goes quite average.
This isn't the funniest show where people will lie in splits after watching it. But the comedians who often do so often rely on sexual innuendo ( though even Carlin can't help himself from relying on it in the second half ), personal remarks on audiences and all that crass that comes with it. That kind of low brow humour is easier to create but what Carlin does is probably deliver more of a sermon from which the listeners pluck out laughters. He doesn't stoop to attacking his audience members but rather present a mirror to the human society. And I believe that while I may hear more upcoming folks on Youtube delivering, say more laughter per minute for the audience, Carlin's words will resonate with me far after those puny jokes from other comedians have come and gone. And I think, humour that stays long after the show has finished and which has longetivity and which is relevant even nearly two decades later, is much superior than other forms.