Praying to Joe Pesci

Another irreplaceable voice has been silenced. This time it is the legend that is George Carlin, who became the ultimate outsider and opened possibilities for comedians that never existed before. His love of language, intelligence, and never ending cynicism made you laugh and think. While over the last few years I felt that maybe he sounded a little bit too much like a bitter old man, I never failed to appreciate that he continued to work his ass off to create new comedy when many in his position would have rested on their laurels. I would have. Once you reach the status of legend it can only reduce your shimmer to continue, but something tells me that was not what it was about for him. I think was compelled to continue perform new material because of what he perceived going on in the world.

What I think is most amazing is that he could do it all; political, observational, silly, even physical. Most comics settle into a comfortable spot of one genre or another. I have always had what I consider to be the “Holy Trinity” of comedy – Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, and George Carlin. Now they can share the stage while monster douche Dane Cook enjoys perfect health. That’s why, at the suggestion of George, I am praying to Joe Pesci.