the Archive of American Television interview with legendary comedian George Carlin by Jenni Matz and Henry Colman. Mr. Carlin begins by talking about his early life and childhood in NY, his parent’s sense of humor, his older brother Patrick, the influence radio had on him, his fascination with Danny Kaye and other comedians, his early plan to be in movies, his time in the Air Force where he first began working as a disc jockey.
Interviewed by Jenni Matz and Henry Colman on December 17, 2007

In this Part of this interview for the Archive of American Television with Jenni Matz and Henry Colman, Carlin talks about his days as a disc jockey on radio, his comedy partner Jack Burns, arriving in Hollywood, recording his first comedy album (with Jack Burns), his first TV appearance (the Jack Paar Show), becoming a single performer, his early act (impressions), working as a comic with Richard Pryor, being nervous for his first Ed Sullivan Show appearance, realizing his act was geared to an older crowd, and that his personal taste was more in touch with a younger crowd, and the monumental change in his act. He elaborates about finding his identity on-television, and how HBO helped his career.

In This interview for the Archive of American Television,George Carlin discusses his appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, how he edited his material for television, how his “world changed” through several appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”; he comments on and refutes the criticism he received for “cashing in on the hippie craze”; his final appearance at the Copacabana (and how he got fired); his first gig to a college audience; his album FM/AM; his interest in language and obscenity; the genesis of “Seven Dirty Words”; The Supreme Court case against WBAI.

In Part 5 of the Archive of American Television Interview, Carlin continues talking about the famous “7 Dirty Words” Supreme Court case, and then talks at length about his HBO specials and also his feelings about the American political system. He talks about his piece “the planet is fine, the people are F-ed”. He talks about the meaning of “success”. He says of humankind: “You’re given a front row seat, and some of us get to sit there with a notebook”.

In this excerpt, George Carlin talks about why he still performed into his 70s, why he considers himself a Writer and Artist above all and is not comfortable with the term “entertainer”. The lesson he takes from Pablo Casals.. “I’m starting to notice some improvement”.He talks about his aspirations to be an Actor, how he got his own television show, “The George Carlin Show” (FOX, 1993-95), how he came to replace Ringo Starr on the children’s show “Shining Time Station”, and his appearance as the first-ever guest host of “Saturday Night Live”..Carlin talks in depth about how he puts together his live comedy show and his working process leading up to his filmed HBO specials, and whether he ever tires of his older routines. He talks about the next (his last) HBO special, which he was preparing to tape- “It’s Bad for Ya”.

In this excerpt, Carlin talks about his HBO specials, his books, his advice to young comedians, his own legacy, and how he would like to be remembered.