PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: MEDIA AS ENTERTAINMENT: FROM CLASS CLOWN TO SOCIAL CRITIC: AN EVENING WITH GEORGE CARLIN {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media. This evening honors iconic comedian George Carlin. Barbara Dixon, director of The Paley Center in Los Angeles, offers opening comments on Carlin's five decade-career and calls him "the most influential stand-up comedian of all time." She then introduces moderator Ray Riohmond, Hollywood Reporter columnist.
A highlight tape of Carlin's comedic performances is shown, including clips from "Carlin at Carnegie" (1983); "Talent Scouts" (1962); "Kraft Summer Music Hall" (1966); "The Flip Wilson Show" (1971); "NBC's "Saturday Night" ("Saturday Night Live") (1975); "George Carlin Again" (1978); "Comic Relief" (1986); "George Carlin: Doin' It Again" (1990); "George Carlin: Live at the Paramount" (1992); "George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing" (2005); and "George Carlin ... It's Bad for Ya!" (2008).
After Carlin takes the stage, Richmond asks questions on such topics as: how getting older has given him a "richer tapestry" for material; his process for writing and honing jokes; thoughts on mortality as he turns seventy-one; the negative effects of religion on the world; how cable television proved to be his "savior"; why "a fear of language" and "a fear of ideas" has fueled his career and given him an identity; the origins of "the seven words you can never say on television" routine; his "misanthropic" strain; what makes him excited; the prides he has always taken in writing his own material; his "revelation" that he was more of a writer than a performer; the effects of having quit high school in ninth grade; if watching his old material is like observing another person; comedians who had an impact on him while growing up; comedians who currently make him "want to work harder"; his dream of doing a Broadway show which focuses on his growing-up days in Manhattan; if he feels misunderstood as "a curmudgeonly, angry guy"; and his definition of "the meaning of life."
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how he is able to memorize lengthy comic routines; if he has enjoyed his sporadic forays into acting; his favorite dirty word; what prompts him to use profanity in every-day life; the value of euphemisms; if religious zealots have ever targeted him; what books and television he enjoys; why he doesn't listen to other comedians' acts; and the comedic line that he won't cross.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: May 8, 2008 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:92421
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Barbara Dixon … Host
- Ray Richmond … Moderator
- George Carlin … Panelist