On Location (TV Series) Carlin at Carnegie (1983) User Reviews

Classic Carlin

[gavin6942 · 8/10 · 5 June 2014]

Taped before a sold-out house at New York City's Carnegie Hall, the performance represents a creative resurgence for Carlin, following a heart attack earlier that year. He ignites the stage with unique perceptions and his outrageous physical comedy, employing along the way his well-honed powers of mimicry.

The routines include: Rice Krispies, Newscast #3, Have a Nice Day, Ice-Box Man, Fussy Eater, Dogs & Cats #2 and Over 200 Filthy Words and Phrases. Carlin's genius is at best his use of language and breaking down words into their silliest interpretations. He has some observations, plenty of one-liners, but his strength is in words and language.

Even such a simple routine as "have a nice day" makes us realize that "nice" is an empty word. We use it all the time, but never think about it. And, of course, he has become famous for his intelligent approach to cuss words. Why are certain words forbidden when others are not, despite meaning the same thing?

Carlin remained funny up through the time of his death, but it seems like his comedy got more tuned towards one-liners later on. His post-1990 books, such as "Brain Droppings" and When "Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" are best when making quick, ironic observations and puns. Earlier work was much more energetic.

A Breakthrough in Comedy

[marimbadaddy · 9/10 · 12 January 2009]

This is one of Carlin's best concerts. It is also the first Carlin concert or material that I was introduced to. Since seeing this at around the age of 13, I have become a huge Carlin fan. And I still laugh at his Rice Crispy jokes from this concert. I also enjoy the ever expanding dirty word list he ends the concert with.

This was certainly a transitional concert for Carlin as well as a break through, as he began moving out of his Hippie phase into his curmudgeon phase. Nut at this point he was still focusing on the little things we have in common, and fart jokes, not really any significant political or global humor in this concert.

Carlin at his quotable best

[wendyschardein · 10/10 · 24 August 2020]

I taped the show when it first came out and knew most of it by heart. Some of the bits in this one are still some if the funniest I've ever heard, and i still laugh out loud when I watch it. There are at least a dozen lines that have become running gags for our family.

Old time Carlin

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 12 June 2000]

George Carlin goes to Carnegie Hall. Good, but not quite fully fine. Here, he talks about dogs and cats, having a nice day, and many other things. I liked it, but it shows how Carlin's comedy has changed for the better. Here, he has a lot of growing to do. He does, but it isn't that bad. Funny, but in 1982, I'd rather watch Richard Pryor (if I was alive). A+

For A Different Generation

[sedativchunk · 6/10 · 8 September 2009]

George Carlin's recent material I love. "It's Bad For Ya" is probably the most funny stand up act I have ever seen, and it's sad that it had to be Carlin's last performance on HBO. Besides that, I also enjoyed his 2005 performance on HBO.

Being a big fan of his acts from the 2000's, I thought I would check out some of his older material. I watched "Carlin At Carnegie" tonight and I was mildly amused. It felt like I was watching old crap that they pop in at the doctors office, not George Carlin's modern comedy that I've grown to love. Carlin talks about things such as greeting people, food, and pets. I cracked up for the food part, as I reminded me of myself as I also used to get called "fussy" or a "fuss pot."

Besides the entertaining food part, I didn't find anything else really funny in this act, especially the news segment where Carlin sits at the desk and reads cards with the news. Then he went on about dogs later on in the act. I love dogs and everything Carlin talked about was true, but I don't find dogs being a good subject for stand up material.

I believe because of todays standards that Carlin set himself, this stand up wasn't as good. Long time Carlin fans that were alive when this was made may find it funny, but I certainly did not.