In our obituary post last night, I mentioned how my favorite big screen performance of Carlin’s was in Kevin Smith’s Jersey Girl. Smith was a filmmaker who used Carlin in his films when available. Watching his few appearances, I’m shocked that his career in film never blew up. Smith takes a look back at the great comedy legend in a guest column for Newsweek:
“In 2001, George did me a solid when he accepted the part of the orally fixated hitchhiker who knew exactly how to get a ride in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” When he wrapped his scene in that flick, I thanked him for making the time, and he said, “Just do me a favor: Write me my dream role one day.” When I inquired what that’d be, he offered, “I wanna play a priest who strangles children.” It was a classic Carlin thing to say: a little naughty and a lot honest. I always figured there’d be time to give George what he asked for. Unfortunately, he left too soon. He was, and will likely remain, the smartest person I’ve ever met. But really, he was much more than just a person. Without a hint of hyperbole, I can say he was a god, a god who cussed.”
Read the full article on Newsweek.com.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
“Just do me a favor: Write me my dream role one day.” When I inquired what that’d be, he offered, “I wanna play a priest who strangles children.”
haha, classic Carlin indeed.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Didn’t “blow up”? Who else could’ve filled Ringo’s shoes on Shining Time Station?
Carlin got his start playing characters on television, Hippy Dippy Weather Man, etc on the Flip Wilson Show. and I’m not sure it wasn’t just a willingness to tackle ‘thet microphone rather than get bogged down in ‘parts’ but he certainly preferred it. Carlin was superb at being himself but even sough understood the abilities of a character driven approach. He could have gone anywhere in the industry he wanted; at worst.. the Richard Pryor route and made a few excellent flicks then eventually relied on his own formula to earn the dough. In short, sure he was great on screen but if it is choice between more films or less shows by the man I think I know where my vote should go.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I hope his tombstone reads ‘Be Excellent to Each Other’.
The world is missing its common sense…
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Joe Pesci has a lot of splain’n to do.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I give it 24 hours before the inheritors of the “Carlin estate” starts yanking all his vids off youtube.
Stay tuned for the ultimate Carlin box sets.