In Memoriam: George Carlin (1937-2008)

Comedian George Carlin died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday. He was 71. Carlin was celebrated as a counter-culture icon for his provocative anti-establishment material in the 70s, particularly the routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A live performance of the obscenity laden bit saw him arrested in Milwaukee in 1972 for disturbing the peace, and a radio broadcast of the routine in 1973 brought the ire of the FCC upon a New York City radio station. The resulting legal battle went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1978. Amid the controversy Carlin's became the first person to host television comedy institution Saturday Night Live.

Carlin's humor and commentary remained consistently critical of modern American life, taking a nihilistic slant that resonated to this day. In a 2001 Reuters interview he commented "I don't have any beliefs or allegiances. I don't believe in this country, I don't believe in religion, or a god, and I don't believe in all these man-made institutional ideas." Carlin's career spawned 23 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, three books, and numerous TV and movie appearances. He was slated to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor later this year.

Carlin is survived by his wife Sally Wade, and daughter Kelly Carlin McCall. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.