February 10, 1997

Since I was a kid, I have always passed endless hours going to see standup comedians - Bill Cosby at a dinner theater in downtown Denver was the first. Since that show, I have been a devoted comic junky. Obviously, to see George Carlin is for me to see one of the godfathers of progressive stand up. From "Stuff" to "Baby Boomers", Carlin, has forced us to find humor in the most common of traits. In his own words, "I have been doing twenty years with HBO, forty years of comedy, and sixty years on this rock."

Brain Droppings, Carlin's book published last year, remained on the 'New York Times' Best Sellers list for eighteen weeks! - not at all surprising when you consider the timeless nature of Carlin's sense of humor. The book contains observations similar to what you hear in his performances, like 'People I can do without': lawyers that refer to the police as the Federales', people with one lip, people that have little pins all over their cap...

On the seventh of February at the Bob Carr theater, Carlin showed why he is the best. A portion of his act consisted of his trademark analysis of phrases that don't work, such as 'Down the Tubes': "Where the hell are all these tubes? Why isn't there just one tube? And why hasn't anyone seen the damn things?" Other examined phrases included 'Better than sliced bread': "People, is this all that we have to compare to? All the technology in the world and we're paying reference to bread? I think a Lava lamp is cooler than sliced bread!" I laughed so hard I thought would hyper-ventilate.

Carlin has an amazing, self-effacing stage presence. He dresses in basic black, as I have always known him to do in his HBO specials. His humor is genuine - sometimes raunchy, sometimes very introspective, but always Carlin. It's no wonder that he has been hailed by his peers as one of the most influential comedians of our time. And through all the years, Carlin has given us something to think about, while we laugh at others and ourselves, for instance his profound yet hysterical satire during the Gulf War, "bombing brown people." If you ever have the chance, don't miss what could be one of the funniest nights of your life.

Justice Mitchell Loves: Art & Photography, Mom & Dad, Eileen, Friends, Music, and Film. Hates: Dan Leeds and his army of satanic, homophobic, undead girl scouts. Other Articles I've Written