I first saw George Carlin on television with his comedy partner Jack
Burns. He was a little goofy, mischievous and skinny. I related to him
immediately. The pair broke up, and Carlin went out alone. I was
delighted when he started popping up on the tube again in the early
60’s. He was different than the usual fare on Ed Sullivan; He didn’t
talk about his mother-in-law. His routines and characters were original
and always funny.
In 1972 the now classic album “FM
& AM” was released. I was 17years old at the time, it blew me away. My
high-school friends and I couldn’t believe what he was saying. He
articulated the fear and rage during the NIXON years in a
uniquely-American way. Freedom of speech was never funnier. I listened
to that album till I wore out the grooves and kept a constant vigil on
the talk and variety shows for any and all Carlin appearances. He never
disappointed. I saw him perform that summer in Miami expecting to hear
the routines I'd now memorized by heart. My buddies and I watched in awe
as he did over an hour of material none of us had ever heard before. He
was shaping another brilliant album, “CLASS CLOWN.” This was OUR
generation's comedian. Mother-in-law jokes were buried forever.
George Carlin was a comedic force
of nature. A relentless talent that broke barriers while setting new
standards. He was arrested several times but kept on working. It did not
diminish his spirit or determination. He established himself despite the
establishment. Even with vociferous drug use, he couldn’t stop himself.
Twenty years after that concert in
Miami I saw him live in the HBO special, “JAMMING IN NEW YORK.” He was
better, and more original than ever.
I had the great fortune of
interviewing him before that special. He was a serious student of comedy
and had a great appreciation for the new generation of comedians that
had exploded in the 80’s. Along with Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and
Saturday Night Live, Carlin inspired and influenced thousands of young
performers that changed the entertainment industry forever.
Carson was a huge fan. He had
Carlin on numerous times. That made Johnny even more of a hero to me
than he already was.
I live in Santa Monica and have
run into George here and there over the past 10 years. He was always
friendly and gracious. When I asked about upcoming projects, he spoke
with the same articulate, intense passion he’s always had. His is a
voice that will echo for generations.
Wherever he is now, you know he’s
pissed off and asking a ton of questions. Give ‘em hell George.
Allan
Havey on YouTube
more coming soon...
RICHARD JENI
Late Saturday I received word that Richard Jeni had killed himself. I
was stunned. I'd known Richard for twenty years. We came up together in
the clubs during the 80's. Every now and then during that time I would
catch his act. The scene was studded with terrific comedians. Every
monster act you know in comedy today that came out of that era was
there.
Jeni stood out from the pack.
Richards's energy was always up. He had that old school 'rat-a-tat'
delivery and a bounce to his step like Cagney. He owned the stage.
Richard was a 'balls to the walls' professional that took the art of
stand-up (and just about everything else) seriously. He never half-assed
it or played to the back of a room. Jeni worked the crowd and quickly
owned them.
Jeni was a pro.
He was one of the few guys still doing stand-up from that era. Many are
writing in television or film. Some are back home living in the
basement. Despite of what you read about the quality of Richard's
material, know this...
Jeni rocked the room. People helpless with laughter, banging tables and
crying. The kind of set few comics have...ever... Jeni had consistently.
He absolutely killed. That's all you really need to know. I ask you, who
does there job like that these days? In any profession?
Tip your hat to Richard Jeni. A man who negotiated mental set backs his
entire adult life and made millions laugh. His demise is his business.
His life was our laughter.
Report from heaven
Art Buchwald was welcomed to the pearly gates today and surprised
more than a few residents. “Holy shit” said a befuddled Frank
Sinatra, “this guy’s really funny!” Not many would argue with the
former chairmen of the board (“St Peter put the kibosh on that title
as soon as I got here”) as he watched in wonder the new arrival
working the room.
“I used to read that cockamamie column for years” continued Sinatra,
“I thought it was crap, but look at that, he just made Jonas Salk
spit out his milk.” Buchwald was in rare form as he had everyone
howling. Jack Palance wiping away tears confessed “I used to roll my
eyes every time I saw his byline, now I’m wetting my pants. He just
did his “why my kidneys are healthier than the west wing” routine
for me, Sacco and Vanzzeti. It was killer!”
Buchwald who recently passed away seems to have adapted well to his
celestial home. “It usually takes a couple of weeks to get adjusted”
remarked a beefy Karen Carpenter. “Hell, look at Gerald Ford and Bo
Schembechler. They’re still pissed off about the USC/ Michigan game.
I guess they thought they had some extra pull in heaven. Not while
John Wayne still has wings.”
While Buchwald was on a tear, not everyone was laughing. A chagrined
James Brown sat far off and moped. “He has no privileges until his
physical body is burned or buried” a nearby angel explained. “Until
that happens, he can only leave his cubicle for 20 minutes a day.
He’s scheduled to open for Jolson next Saturday; I don’t think he’s
going to make it.” Overhearing this Sinatra makes a bee line to an
archangel but gets shooed away.
“Dammit” puffed Sinatra. “I can’t get 2 minutes with God.” When
asked what the problem was the angel explained, “God is having a
therapy session with Timothy Treadwell, when he found out bears
don’t go to heaven he had a shit fit. The big guy is loosing his
patience. Timothy is heading for the heat if he doesn’t wise up.”
Suddenly trumpets sounded, the clouds opened and a flock of muscular
angels with shaved heads and tattoos exploded into the sky and
banked towards the sun heading for earth. When asked St. Peter
explained, “A new battalion of guardian angels for Keith Richards.
That’s the last batch he gets. The boss is a huge Stones fan.”
