LIVE from the NYPL: A Tribute to George Carlin hosted by Whoopi Goldberg

March 24, 2010

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George Carlin is remembered for his unique and quintessentially New York voice, his coruscating mastery of the English language and his devastatingly funny insights into such timeless human follies as war, class, moral hypocrisy, God and golf.


       
Live from the NYPL presents an evening to honor the publication of George Carlin's posthumous “sortabiography” Last Words (written with Tony Hendra).

Whoopi Goldberg will host an eclectic gathering of comedic and cultural icons and friends who come together to celebrate George Carlin’s life, art, extraordinary half-century in comedy and broad cultural influence with readings, anecdotes, memories, personal tributes as well nostalgic selections from some of the greatest performance art of the 20th century - by the guest of honor himself.

About George Carlin
Born in New York City in 1937, George Dennis Patrick Carlin was one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time.  He appeared on The Tonight Show more than 130 times, starred in an unprecedented 14 HBO Specials, hosted the first Saturday Night Live and penned three New York Times bestselling books.  Of  the 23 solo albums recorded by Mr. Carlin, 11 were Grammy nominated and he took home the coveted statue five times including a 2001 Grammy win for Best Spoken Comedy Album for his reading of his best seller Brain Droppings.  In 2002, Carlin was awarded the “Freedom of Speech Award” by the First Amendment Center in cooperation with the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, and he was the named 11th recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in June of 2008. George Carlin passed away at age 71 on June 22, 2008 in Santa Monica, California.
 

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Thanks for this.

Submitted by JamieC (not verified) on September 6, 2011 - 5:25am

when Carlin died I was really confused why it wasn't a big deal in the media as it should have been. this is from my perspective living in the uk. his material will echo across the world(on youtube and the likes) as long as the technology exists and it will never cease to inspire others.

Carlin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on September 17, 2011 - 11:03pm

It was a huge deal to some of us. BEFORE he died, I remember thinking, "What are we going to do when he dies?" We could use him, and his brain, and his heart -- every day. But I thank him for the time that he gave us. Thanks to the NYPL for posting and hosting this.

For always remembered

Submitted by Aleksander Stud... (not verified) on May 27, 2015 - 9:32am

Thank you so much for this. I just came across it - and I still watch and rewatch George Carlin on many occasions. Five years after this and seven years after his sad passing away, he still is a beacon of light in a world tormented by wrong morale and hypocricy. Being an actor/ writer myself, he will never seize to inspire me and others all over the world.

We cherish his memory here in Europe, Austria (a country with a great history of cabaret and comedy), as well as in many other continents and countries, and when I think of the United States most fondly, then it is so much due to him, Americans like him, and also these who payed tribue at this wonderful night. We cannot thank you enough for it.

Please know, thousands of miles away, people remember and young artists follow his example. Thank you George Carlin forever.

Not available anymore

Submitted by Daniel (not verified) on April 27, 2016 - 2:04am

Hello, I tried watching this, and apparently it is down. Could you reupload it or otherwise fix this issue? I believe an homage like the one you hosted for him shouldn't be lost so easily. Thank you and greetings from Mexico.

I wish I had something more

Submitted by Norman J. Murk Jr. (not verified) on January 13, 2019 - 1:03pm

I wish I had something more interesting to say but plainly I first heard George Carlin in the late 80's when I was about 12 years old. 2 things about George stood very far out in my mind over others. 1 is I couldn't believe how easily he made it seem to put into words all the humorous little nuances of every day life all while there were so many distractions to prevent one from doing this so accurately and smoothly. As Louis seemed to imply he just threw caution to the wind and sliced up political correctness with his razor sharp and direct to the point jokes. He didnt beat around the bush and that's what people respected about him. Bottom line is, lucky for us, Louis had this great mentor to give him the courage to speak his own mind plainly and directly which is what got us one of the most entertaining comedians the world has seen thus far.