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The first comedian I ever watched live, ironically, was the best I’ve seen to date. George Carlin passed away yesterday (Sunday, June 22^nd) at the age of 71 due to heart failure and will be missed by so many fans, including myself.

The only way I know how to describe his act is controlled insanity! George had a knack for offending every one of all ethnicities during his show, but it was ok because no one group was singled out. He was a very intelligent comic. In fact, many times he would be asked to represent “the common man” during television roundtable conversations.

Not only was Carlin a very accomplished comedian, but also a talented writer and actor. Another accolade, George was the first-ever host of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, debuting on October 11, 1975.

My favorite memory from the concert I attended at the Fox theatre was when he told a bomb of a joke, and he was the first to point it out. Can’t remember the joke, but after telling it and getting no reaction from the crowd; he said, “yeah, that one bombed last night too – let me scatch that one off my list for the special.” This show was two days before his HBO special was to be taped called “Complaints and Greviances,” which was a riot because he did a lot of adlibbing and told us that we were his final test audience before the show. We felt special to be included!

Here’s some of my favorite Carlin Quotes:

As a matter of principle, I never attend the first annual anything.

Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.

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

I’m completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.

It’s never just a game when you’re winning.

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.

Used that one on-air before. Thanks George!

Do you have any Carlinisms you’d like to share? (Obviously, they must be clean:)

One final thought: Recently, I read George Carlin was named the number 2 comic of all time by Comedy Central behind Richard Pryor. So I was kind of interested to see who is your favorite comic?

Thanks for reading!

JMac