My friend Jeff the Chemist absolutely loved George Carlin. He would quote him at length, trying to recite the seven dirty words as fast as Carlin did, and often repeating Carlin's rant about when society asks, "What about the children?" and he replies "FUCK the children!" It was entertaining, the first eight times.
Carlin hosted the very first "Saturday Night Live" episode, and went on to star as Ben Affleck's father in JERSEY GIRL. And now he's dead. He was 71.
I wasn't the world's biggest George Carlin fan, having not grown up in the Seventies or seeing any of his stand-up until the end of the 20th Century. But he had an amazing way of reciting convoluted descriptions and delivering angry rants in an almost intellectual way. Oh, and I did really enjoy his lists of People I Can Do Without ("A proctologist with poor depth perception. A funeral director who says he hopes to see you again real soon. A dentist with blood in his hair."), Things That Piss Me Off ("White people who play the blues. White people got no business playing the Blues. Ever. White people should understand: their job is to GIVE people the Blues, not to get them."), and People Who Ought To Be Killed ("Couples whose children's names all start with the same initials. People who send you a Christmas card with a family newsletter. Just what you need: news about people you can't hardly remember.").
I'm sure my pal Jeff is beside himself today. Poor guy.
Rish Outfield
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