I watched a biography of George Carlin a few months back. It seems his career had three stages.

First was his post DJ stand up work with Jack Burns in the early sixties, followed by a solo career. He was popular, toured a lot, and made some good money. The material was slick, often goofy, and occasionally sharp.

Then in the 1970s Carlin changed his appearance, attitude, and material. His comedy was bizarre, observational, and harsh, with a critical bent on freedom of speech and thought. And his career ascended as the counter culture took him in as one of their own, despite the fact that he was older than most boomers.

By the 1980s, Carlin was a seasoned pro whose keen mind was most critical against the collective stupidities of the human race. Popular targets for his venom were politics and religion.

To be a successful comic in any sense of the word is damn tough. So I find this kind of success story very inspiring. Carlin was told throughout his career that changing his approach was professional suicide. That it wouldn’t work to get new fans and he’d lose the old ones. But he knew in his guts that the best material in him could not afford to remain in the same package. For him, change was necessary for his artistic survival.  And he knew the price. It could fail. But the tough work of a comic had prepared him for the worst and he knew he was tough enough to take the failure if it happened, going back to earning dinner wages or gas money or less.

I’ve been thinking about my career lately and something about the Carlin route appeals to me. Granted, I’m no George Carlin, but I think there is much to be gained from studying mavericks as well as sure things. Every career choice comes with risks. But I’d like to hope that writing my stories my way can lead me to a strong career, one on my terms, even if it means jumping genres or whatever.

So, thanks, George, for the laughs and the inspiration. If there was a heaven, I’m sure you’d be making fun of it from hell and getting a standing ovation.

JSR

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