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7 Dirty Words The Life and Crimes of George Carlin Author: James Sullivan

By Clark Isaacs  

James Sullivan pulls no punches when he writes about the rise of George Carlin in "7 Dirty Words", words that the United States Supreme Court ruled were patently offensive to be said on the airwaves as regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.

Historically, this is a good book, which talks about Carlin's rise as a comic from being a class clown to performing in Carnegie Hall. This is an adult biographical chronology which includes those infamous words, but they are only run together three times throughout the book so as to soften their shock value. Skipping through those words to follow the heart of the story is easy.

Clearly, Sullivan is an accomplished author who is able to demonstrate how comedy changed when new faces entered the scene in the early l950's. Lenny Bruce was one of the first who would use the words as a part of his act and when he achieved success, others, including George Carlin, followed.
If you are unfamiliar with the words that cannot be used on television or radio because of exposure to minors, just remember what got children's' mouths washed out with soap. Also, you really knew the words as a child, but learned very quickly they were never to be used in public.

One of the most outstanding features of this biography is the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the interrelationship between the comedians who were famous and how they would help aspiring hopefuls achieve their day in the spotlight.

HBO was a setting where Carlin was able to use some of his 'words', but they too had limitations on what they felt their audience could take. Johnny Carson's Tonight Show was another venue where he was surprisingly able to host the show without offending the network censors. In fact, Sullivan points out; Carlin had hosted the show 105 times during his career before Carson had retired.

George Carlin was a brilliant and articulate man, but, unfortunately he was addicted to cocaine and pot throughout most of his career. He would do the unexpected by providing money to new comedians so that they could survive during tough economic times without his expecting a reward or recognition. He was by no means a saint and at times was a sinner, but he was a humanitarian for the benefit of his craft. Ironically, he in later years had become the voice heard by many children in voice-overs which he did for various animated characters after he had given up his addictions and became rehabilitated.

Carlin died in June 2008 after having many bouts with a failing heart. James Sullivan has written a lasting tribute to this icon of American humor which was well researched, annotated, and most of all, entirely believable.This book is highly recommended for adults who want to have their memories refreshed about comedians of the past and present.

7 Dirty Words The Life and Crimes of George Carlin
Author: James Sullivan
ISBN: 0306818299,
Pages: 261
Publication Date: June 15,
Hardcover, Biography/Humor, Published by: Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Book Group

Clark Isaacs is an accomplished book critic who is published in local newspapers and national book review lists. Contact Clark through his website at clarkisaacs@dishmail.net or through NewsBlaze.