Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Product Description
It s Bad For Ya, Carlins Emmy-nominated 14th and final HBO special of March 2008 features Carlin s noted irreverent and unapologetic observations on topics ranging from death, religion, bureaucracy, patriotism, overprotected children and big business to the pungent examinations of modern language and the decrepit state of the American culture . Carlin once again comes up with an hour of brand new material that not only makes you laugh, but makes you think. George Carlin will always remain part of the popular lexicon for his Seven Dirty Words routine, and as a comedian who was never afraid to challenge his audience.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Ah, the perils of being a once trailblazing standup comedian in your 70s... Where once George Carlin was a refreshingly bitter and anarchic comedian, in this his last HBO special before his death, he comes across as a mildly grumpy old man trying far too hard to be shocking to really hit the mark. Unfortunately, with so few comedy taboos left (if any), this tends to come down to little more than saying the same four-letter word as often as possible in the belief that it makes his material more edgy and instantly funny. Unfortunately, much of his material is pretty old-school showbiz shtick - take away the obscenities and you could be listening to a more talkative George Burns on the joys of growing old (taking advantage of others, leaving social events early, faking Alzheimer's to confuse your family and outliving your friends), the absurdities of political correctness and even the illogical practicalities of Heaven and Hell.
Some of it is mildly amusing, but mild is the operative word - for all the empty professionalism of his delivery, it's only in the last couple of minutes that he works up any real passion only to... stop. He only really hits the target head-on once with his demolition of the self-esteem movement ("Imagine that, sociopaths have high self-esteem!"), and that's more accurate than funny, while potentially amusing ideas like trying to coax a telephone bore to end a call like a traffic controller talking down an airplane never fulfil their initial promise. Laughs are few and far between, with Carlin sounding increasingly like the trivial, boring people who run off at the mouth about things of no interest to anyone but themselves that he rails against, but is unaware of the irony. It's a poor send-off for a comedian who, in his prime, was capable of much, much better.
The extras free DVD boast decent picture quality but boasts what might just be the most useless scene selection menu ever - four textless pictures of Carlin with a microphone and no indication of what part of the 68-minute set they represent.
Some of it is mildly amusing, but mild is the operative word - for all the empty professionalism of his delivery, it's only in the last couple of minutes that he works up any real passion only to... stop. He only really hits the target head-on once with his demolition of the self-esteem movement ("Imagine that, sociopaths have high self-esteem!"), and that's more accurate than funny, while potentially amusing ideas like trying to coax a telephone bore to end a call like a traffic controller talking down an airplane never fulfil their initial promise. Laughs are few and far between, with Carlin sounding increasingly like the trivial, boring people who run off at the mouth about things of no interest to anyone but themselves that he rails against, but is unaware of the irony. It's a poor send-off for a comedian who, in his prime, was capable of much, much better.
The extras free DVD boast decent picture quality but boasts what might just be the most useless scene selection menu ever - four textless pictures of Carlin with a microphone and no indication of what part of the 68-minute set they represent.
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
`It's Bad For Ya' is George Carlin's last recorded comedy concert before his death and from the word go you get his usual uncompromising, irreverent brand of humour. Walking around his living room set he shares with us his thoughts on a variety of topics and although he comes across as angry and cynical, he was also very intelligent and pertinent. Carlin's style is very reminiscent of Bill Hicks, and he even uses some of the same phrases at times, and if you like one it is a good bet you will enjoy the other. This concert covers topics like old age, death, religion, child worship/Overprotected children, stupid boring people, docile public, patriotism, civic customs and rights. Pretty much what we have come to expect from Carlin over the years. There is strong language throughout and you need to not be easily offended to enjoy his style of comedy, but to be honest most comedians are more offensive and abusive these days than Carlin ever was; it's just the more conservative elements in society don't like him opening peoples eyes to the hypocrisy and lies of those in authority. That is the message this DVD leaves you with, to always question everything, and that is a great bit of advice whatever your thoughts on life. A funny show and well worth watching.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I'd heard a bit about this guy, but having watched this DVD I wonder what the fuss is all about. The comedy is not exactly new, and though the "grumpy old man" routine is funny to start with, it did get a bit samey and predictable after about 20 minutes in. It is funny in places, but for me it wasn't good enough to keep the interest going all the way through.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
George is the man
This had me laughing real hard,george is the best stand up,that ever lived,he is so well informed about life & hits the nail on the head
Published 4 months ago by marmarc40
Nothing so cathartic as a good rant.
George Carlin isn't widely known across the UK (he's probably more famous for playing Rufus in the Bill and Ted films) and had more of a cult following in the US. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stucumber
On the money
I suppose George Carlin is a marmite figure (one either loves or loathes him). He hates idiocy and will lambast those who are either pompous or idiots. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. K. P. Rogers
I hate to stereotype but...
I really can't describe this any other way than to say it's terrible cheesy American rubbish. The guy's jokes are NOT funny and yet every few seconds the crowd erupts into cheers,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Carly
Strong meat from the old maestro
George Carlin is no longer with us, but in his lengthy career he showed no fear in tackling a variety of subjects in his stand-up work that pushed at barriers, much like Bill Hicks... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Og Oggilby
It was bad for me...really bad
I only know of George Carlin from Kevin Smith's film Dogma and I *think* he's also the guy who plays Rufus in the Bill and Ted films - all of which I adore. Read more
Published 21 months ago by C. Cousins
Top stuff!
This is a fine performance by Carlin, a comedian who is largely unknown in this country. He may not have the cult status of Bill Hicks, although there are many similarities in the... Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by Wayne Redhart
Hit and miss set from the OAP Bill Hicks
I have never heard of George Carlin previous to watching this DVD so I can't compare this to his earlier work. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by D. Macphee
Disappointing... but ok.
This is poigniant as it's the last filmed performance before his death and so has a place in a collection of George Carlin's work but buyer beware, this isn't George at his best. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by Ben Whitehouse
Funny as all hell!
As ever, George Carlin has proved to have funny bones, a wonderful anarchic trip through the mind of a genius.
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by M. S. Richards
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
