George Carlin, comedian/ Thomas & Friends Narrarator, died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 of Heart Failure. He will surely be missed.[:(]
I was sorry to hear of this–I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carlin several times in the 1970’s through a mutual friend of ours, the jazz drummer Joe Belardino. Carlin was a very, VERY funny man and a really nice guy. You’re right, he’ll be missed.
Tom
I liked him. Really funny.
It is sad news when any one dies. But to post something about him in MR forums?
I read the bio on MSN news about him and while I grew up in High School hearing his 7-words routine and saw him in Reno when I was 21, the bio made me lose respect for him. He was a druggie and a counter culture, counter morals figure. Read his bio, you’ll see. Certainly no role model to any one that I would recommend. I’m sure many of us have things in our past we are not proud of and don’t want to be remembered for, but people in the public eye are particularly open observation because of the nature of celebrity. They are often glorified for certain talents while their lives represent something we would never want our children to emulate.
Funny guy? Yes, for sure. He was a funny guy, and many like him for his quirky and sometimes insightful humor or ways of looking at the funny side of life. For those things most of us found him funny and entertaining. Lets be realistic though, many celebrities, despite enormous talent, are often reverse role models if we knew about their real lives. I often feel American society looks up too much to celebrities and entertainers, and not enough to many real, unsung hero’s, like teachers, or parents, or family members. Here’s to them!
My condolenses to Carlin’s family. I’m sure his family and many admirers will miss him.
I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one day some number of years ago and coming acr
Ah yes. I regret to admit I worked for a short time in The Great Train Store and they had Thomas playing all the time. It was a well done show for children. I don’t recall seeing the episodes with George Carlin as host, but heard that he was doing that for a number of the shows. I see the tie-in now to this forums.
I would imagine many on here haven’t watched Thomas and just think it was an obituary notice about a famous celeb.
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I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one day some number of ye
I thought he was very funny. He was a good actor to go from a R-rated mouth, to hosting a kids show. I have noticed on a few websites and news channels, they don’t talk about his “Thomas the Tank engine” hosting at all. Makes me wonder if they don’t wanna use that news about him.
IIRC…Carlin took over the “Mr. Conductor” role after Ringo Starr left the show. I think George had the role for 2 years, but continued as narrator for several more years.
I watched the show regularly for years when The Kid was little. Pretty neat scenery on the layout.
RIP Mr. Conductor.
Rotor
It was Shining Time Station. (A Thomas spin off…)
I did’nt know he was the US narrator for Thomas. (Then again I still think Ringo Starr does it). He was great as Fillmore in Cars though.
“I’m tellin’ you maaaan. Every third blink is slower”
We were talking about him on sunday. Somehow we got on the subject of GC and how he was on Shining time station. Sad very sad.
Still a great guy to listen too, counterculture aside we can still poke fun at each other. Political correctness almost makes it impossible to laugh at ones self. I am glad we have guys like Geroge, Carlos Mencia, Mel Brooks,and all those other guys that make you say " He didnt just say that"When your telling the truth about life and laughing at yourself then your doing ok in my book.
Sigh…
Another of the good ones gone!
[:(]
-George
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I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one
Didnt he do that famous skit “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Shining Time Station?”
Man was a genius and will be missed.
RIP George. God Bless.
Pardon me, but George Carlin was seventy-one years old! can someone please explain to me what is so horrible about dying at the age of seventy-one years especially when you have had a twenty year history of heart ailments?
When one has a zest and love for life like Mr. Carlin had any time is too soon to close the book.
Counter culture can be defined as counter conformity and there’s no guilt associated with mentioning the King’s lack of clothes.
Any nay sayers out there might watch Larry King Live tonight and see how those who knew him offstage feel about George.
His time has become finite but the laughs will fill the halls of my mind forever.
Thanks Mr. Carlin. Break a leg on that stage in Heaven tonight. [angel]
Ravenstar
A Counter Culture commedian and ‘Wordsmith’ in it’s finest sense. Remember his ‘Hippy Dippy Weatherman’ routine? - A classic. Made the Networks.
I remember the night he was pulled offstage by local Gendarmes @ Milwaukee’s Summerfest. I was playing Miller’s Jazz Venue @ the time.
I remember him complaining about how evil children were and that he knew this from playing Mr. Conductor![(-D]