So long, George, and thanks for all the F-bombs
When I was in high school, Nick-at-Night started showing classic ('70s) SNL episodes edited down to half-hour best-of shows. (I bet NBC would have a hit on its hands if it did this with current SNL episodes... but I digress.) My favorite of all of these was George Carlin's appearance.
Other comedians go for the laugh first, and a few good ones occasionally make you think. Carlin's comedy always went for the thinking first, and the laughter came as a result. I never looked at the world the same way after I first saw George Carlin's standup.
We've lost a great American hero, a guy who fought hypocrisy and never ran out of enemies. And I can't help feeling we lost him just when we need him most.