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 Brain Droppings
George Carlin Hyperion Don't call him a cynic. He doesn't like that. And don't accuse him of advocating any one philosophy or idea; that really makes him mad. In fact, don't try to identify him with a particular planet, species, race, nation, state, religion, party, union, club, association, or neighborhood improvement committee. So says George Carlin in his new book, Brain Droppings. Carlin seems to have less and less regard for his fellow humans as time wears on. He writes, "What may sound like anger to some is really nothing more than sympathetic contempt. I view my species with a combination of wonder and pity, and I root for its destruction." Pretty heavy words. Still, you can't help but laugh at Carlin's words, which range from bizarre "My definition of bad luck: catching AIDS from a Quaker" to downright goofy "Have you ever become suddenly, intensely aware of your legs?" He isn't afraid to take on the heavyweight social topics, but he isn't above giving you several pages of his favorite puns. Many of the classic routines, including "A Place for my Stuff" and "Baseball vs. Football," are included in Brain Droppings, along with random thoughts, some short stories, and one or two essays. It's definitely a potpourri of everything Carlin does and what we've seen him do for almost forty years now. It's hard to believe the man is sixty years old. He does make reference to his age every so often, and hits you point blank with things he's probably been pondering for a while. Just when the book is getting affable, he'll hit you with a random quote like, "Sooner or later, your parents die." Nothing you can do about it. You've been broadsided. Welcome to the world of George Carlin. He's dead on many issues, like his take on politically correct labels. "Fat people are not gravitationally disabled. They're fat. I prefer seeing things the way they are, not the way some people wish they were." Then again, Carlin's never been one to jump right into the mainstream and swim with all the good little citizens. Take a listen to Jammin' in New York if you doubt that. The material is funny, but there are a few groaners here and there, especially in his lists of euphemisms and puns. And when he talks about the language itself, he can be downright nitpicky. His knowledge of grammar and English language mechanics could shame even the most talented editor, but most people probably don't want to hear about it. Not everything can hit, I guess. I found myself laughing throughout the book, which is it's main purpose anyway, but I longed to hear Carlin doing this in his stand-up, rather than merely seeing it on the printed page. Carlin has one of comedy's all time best deliveries. He can shake you with a poignant observation one minute, and have you holding your stomach from laughing to hard merely making funny faces the next minute. I can't help but think there's something missing from Brain Droppings, and that's the man himself George Carlin. So if you're looking for a diversion a book you can pick up in the morning before work or when you have a few spare minutes and need to laugh by all means, walk by all the flash-in-the-pan celebrity egofests and pick up Brain Droppings. But if you want to see Carlin at his best, catch him live, and see a true comic master displaying his craftsmanship. -Nick |
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