5/10
Disappointing, watch his older stuff.
13 February 2008
I like Carlin, but this was just sad. When did he cross the line from exasperated/frustrated to meanspirited? Now he sounds like nothing more than a grumpy old man who doesn't like answering machines or the lack of tits on Xmas cards.

The fart jokes were just sad - that's the cheapest, lamest, sophomoric laugh and no famous comedian should have to fall back on that!

This was followed by a warhawk call to arms praising plans to attack & praising Guiliani. (the sort of unthinking kneejerk call for a violent revenge) that seems to have caused the US to jump in & attack/destabilize the entire middle east over the action of a few Saudis).

I almost stopped there. For some reason I decided to persist. Surely there had to be a great segment in there from such a great comedian....

Instead I'm treated to a discussion of "lip crud", toenail clippings, asspicking and other things you find on the body? Who cares? Why is this funny? This - from the man who did the classic "Religion is bullshit" sketch?

Several minutes discussion of how much he loves scabs and masturbates over scabs?? From the comedian who brilliantly called out the anti-choicers for their illogic and unchristian attitudes?

I counted ONE laugh in the first half hour.

Out of a respect for his past humor, I persevered on and at a little over half way through (about 30.24 min.) he slipped back into his usual rant style attacking conformism, consumerism and conservatives christians, etc. and it was more amusing but still pretty uneven and not up to his usual standards.

His condensing of the 10 commandments almost made the DVD watching. And you certainly don't hear a lot of comedians bring up and condemming FGM (female genital mutilation).

However, there were a few uncomfortably sexist and homophobic sections. For example - his instance on "traditional" boring American names just made him seem ignorant. Why does he assume wish death on those with what he calls "fruity" names? Many of us prefer original, interesting names and don't want everyone called Bill & Bob. I don't happen to think having the name Tyler or Blaine(or whichever he was ranting about) emasculates anyone.

I watched this the same night as a Lewis Black DVD and I definitely preferred Lewis Black's rants. Somehow Black's swearing and sex jokes fit better. Maybe it's cuz Black has better material (how Bush et al has screwed our country) vs. Carlin ranting about Xmas cards that don't have tits in them.

As he states towards the end Respect must be earned. Carlin gained my respect in the past from his books & shows, but he's kind of slipping now.
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