George Carlin remains, even over a decade since his death, one of the most influential comedians in western culture. His contributions to the world of comedy can’t be understated, with some modern fixtures in the comedy world still talking up his contributions to the world of stand-up. Many of them even appear in George Carlin’s American Dream, a retrospective on his life and his comedy, including Bill Burr. One of modern comedy’s biggest performers, Burr’s outspoken and sardonic style can be seen descending directly from Carlin and some of his peers like Lenny Bruce, Redd Foxx, and Joan Collins.
During an exclusive interview at the red carpet premiere for George Carlin’s American Dream ahead of the two-part documentary’s premiere on HBO Max on May 20 and May 21, CBR spoke with Bill Burr about his earliest memories of George Carlin. He dove into what made Carlin so impressive and what he hates about social media reposting comedy routines.
CBR: Do you remember the first George Carlin stand-up routine that really caught your attention when you were younger?
Bill Burr: I bought a comedy album called Toledo Window Box, which was some sort of slang for weed. I just remember I loved his voice and the way he used it, the rise and fall of it… Carlin had this really great broadcaster voice, and he knew how to use it… I don’t really remember the bits. I just remember him just being hilarious, and the albums back then just sounded so live. You could almost picture the crowd and the venue and stuff. It was amazing.
I’m not sure if there’s anyone in the history of comedy who was as impactful as Carlin —
And Lenny Bruce and Red Fox, which led to Richard Pryor. Yeah, there’s a lot, but Carlin’s a part of that. He’s on the Mount Rushmore.
That’s very true. What lessons do you think comedians picked up the most from Carlin’s work?
From him and someone like Joan Rivers, I think it’s how prolific they were and how, you know, there was a stereotype for a while that comedians, you dry up after a couple of years. He didn’t. George Carlin and Joan Rivers were just… They were just fearless. Both George and Joan were talking about stuff that, even today, I still wouldn’t have the balls to alienate a crowd to that level. I could piss off a certain group… but that takes a lot of guts.
They still clearly resonate with audiences. Even today, you’ll see social media blow up from Carlin quotes and routines whenever something major happens in the world of politics.
I hate that.
Really? Why?
Because then what they do is they take it, and they change the meaning to support their political view. A lot of people on social media become their own little CNN and Fox News and put their spin on it. You know, it’s heartbreaking to see that even the person sitting home on the couch is also so full of shit. That’s what you’re watching.
I think that [George] would probably think it was funny, or maybe he would think it was depressing. It would probably depend on the day. I think, you know, you get to a certain age, and he expected a dog to act like a dog. So I try not to get worked up about it, but it is annoying to see that because there’s a few of them like that. Like, that’s not what that joke meant!
The two-part special George Carlin’s American Dream premieres on HBO Max on May 20 and 21.
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