R.I.P. GEORGE CARLIN (1937 - 2008)

Groundbreaking comedian George Carlin died of heart failure yesterday at the age of 71.

Simply put, the guy was a comic genius. He was best known for his routine about the "Seven Dirty Words" that the FCC would not allow to be said on network TV and since this is a blog, I'll go ahead and say them: shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits.

Here's his classic routine "Baseball vs. Football" from a 1990 HBO comedy special.



I grew up watching these HBO specials, and between those and his classic comedy albums of the 70s (see the "Classic Gold" compilation), the 80s (this "Carlin on Campus" MP3 is the best $0.99 you will ever spend) and through to the early 90s ("Jamming In New York" in 1992) he was the funniest comedian to peak during my lifetime. He got very bitter near the end, but don't we all? (And at least he stayed true to himself and didn't turn into an insufferable buffoon like Eddie Murphy or Robin Williams.)

George Carlin on Amazon MP3

R.I.P.: HARVEY KORMAN (1927 - 2008)

Comedian Harvey Korman has passed away at the age of 81. He was an incredibly funny man and will be missed. At least we have his great movies and appearances on The Carol Burnett Show to remember him by.

Now pledge allegiance to Hedy LaMarr!



Sorry, that's HEDLEY.

RIP: LARRY "BUD" MELMAN

Calvert DeForest, better known as Larry "Bud" Melman from David Letterman's stellar NBC years, died on Monday at the age of 85. This skit, where he's giving away hot towels at the Port Authority bus terminal, makes me laugh uncontrollably.



So would you rather have that, or Adam Sandler? Wait, America, don't answer that. Rest in peace, Larry "Bud".