Carlin's a tricky cat. I've seen him live and I enjoyed it. His stuff is not a laugh riot, but it's entertaining. I bought that box set that came out years ago, and found some great stuff. His newer stuff is angry at times and makes him sound more like a grouchy old man, than a comic. It's more like political/life commentary than comedy.

I also dig the Henry Rollin's stuff, but I don't own any. I saw him on a few interview shows and he didn't really have much to say. I came away feeling disappointed.

Have you read any of Carlin's books? I recently found Braind Droppings on an old, dusty shelf in my basement. Good stuff. My favourite quote: "When the fuck did we decide to call people who aren't white 'people of colour'? There are no specifications whatsoever. Might as well call fat people 'People of Size.'"

I haven't had the pleasure, yet. Reading tends to take the back seat to bass playing, but when I do feel inspired I'll see what's around.

Sounds a bit like Lewis Black. I'll check him out.

That's a good comparison. Carlin had a little more of a silly side back in the day, so the earlier you go the sillier it gets.

Carlin is less with the satire than with the bizarre. I mean, this is the guy that wrote Napalm and Silly Putty, and is quoted as saying: "If you pluck a 5 pound malignant tumor off the side of your neck, do you just hoof it backwards into the neighbours' pool? No!! You pick it up and stare at it for a while: 'Holy shit Christ, fuckin Jesus, Marie! Get in here! Fuck the maccaroni!'"

listen to Carlin's "you're all diseased". i think it is brilliant. there's real witty social commentary in there and as with everything carlin, it is delivered with real power and verve. just an old master showing the young pretenders (the dane cooks of this world) how it should be done.

What about Dane Cook? You guys like?

I'm afraid that I'll never be able to enjoy him, because in conversation once someone mentioned that they thought he was funnier than Mitch. It's not that big a deal but considering my level of reverence it left a sour taste in my mouth and now I can't hear about him without being a little resentful.

Andrew Dice Clay - The Day the Laughter Died

Now that is some funny shit.

I'll have to plead ignorance on this one. I'll look him up on the web.

Hezagenius, I'll raise your Andrew Dice Clay with Sam Kinison, "Leader of the Banned."