George Carlin to be awarded Mark Twain Prize for humour
19.06.2008 18:01
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
 George Carlin, shown in a recent promotional photo, is to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for humour. (HBO/Associated Press)George Carlin, whose scatological humour earned him an obscenity charge in the 1970s, is to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday it would honour Carlin for his 50-year career as a standup comedian, writer and actor. Carlin, known for his black political humour was best-known in the '70s for a standup routine called Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television. The schtick was an observation on language, poking fun at commonly used "dirty words." He was arrested in 1972 in Milwaukee and charged under obscenity laws, a charge that was later dropped; the FCC later rebuked a New York radio station for playing the routine on air. Carlin makes people laugh but he also makes them think, Kennedy Center chairman Stephen Schwarzman said. Carlin became known as a standup on the Ed Sullivan Show, with routines that included Al Sleet, the hippie-dippie weatherman, and a parody of stupid disc jockeys. He also frequently took on the taboo subject of religion, as well as murder, genocide and natural disasters. His fame spread because of a series of recordings of his routines, which often couldn't be broadcast. In 1975, Carlin became the first host of Saturday Night Live. Carlin was also the narrator of the U.S. version of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends from 1991 to 1998. He appeared in the film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and had a 1993 TV series on Fox that lasted 27 episodes. In 2001, Carlin received a lifetime achievement award from the American Comedy Awards. In a recent HBO special, It's Bad for Ya, he continues to dissect what he calls the "bulls---t" that surrounds ordinary Americans. "Americans don't question things anymore. Americans don't question things because everyone is fat and happy," he said. Other winners of the Mark Twain prize include Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin. With files from the Associated PressStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKMore Theatre HeadlinesMartin Bragg to leave top post at Canadian Stage CompanyMartin Bragg, head of the Canadian Stage Company, announced Wednesday he is stepping down from his post at the end of the upcoming season.George Carlin to be awarded Mark Twain Prize for humourGeorge Carlin, whose scatological humour earned him an obscenity charge in the 1970s, is to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour.Foul! Vienna opera blames Euro 2008 for poor attendanceSoccer games, namely Euro 2008 matches, are getting in the way of opera performances, the Vienna State Opera charged on Tuesday.2006 performing-arts revenues little changed at $1.2 billion: StatsCan Total operating revenues for the performing-arts industry reached $1.2 billion in 2006, almost unchanged from 2005, according to a Statistics Canada report released Tuesday.Cirque du soleil dismisses report of takeover by Dubai interestThe internationally renowned Cirque du soleil is denying British media reports it is for sale. More Arts HeadlinesPicasso sets new record for Australian art saleA painting by Pablo Picasso that was sold Wednesday evening in Sydney is the most expensive piece of art ever auctioned in Australia.Vatican set to issue film codeTwo days after barring the filming of Angels & Demons from two Catholic churches, the Vatican announced it is working on a set of guidelines for what it considers good cinema.Teen actress Jamie Lynn Spears becomes a motherTeen actress Jamie Lynn Spears, the younger sister of pop star Britney Spears, has reportedly given birth to a baby girl.Turkey acquits choirboys charged for singing Kurdish rebel songA Turkish court has acquitted three teenage schoolboys of "spreading separatist propaganda" after they sang a Kurdish song during a U.S. tour.Prompted by Gordon Ramsay show, Aussie senators propose TV changes Outrage over one of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's TV shows has prompted an Australian Senate panel to recommend a few changes to the country's television system. Arts FeaturesFateful flightThe film Air India 182 reconstructs a national tragedyThink againSalman Rushdie discusses his thought-provoking novelsOnce more, with feelingColdplay inch outside their comfort zoneA fine BromanceThe evolution of the TV dating game showGossip girlIt's time Alanis Morissette got a little respectMischief makerKent Monkman's playful art reclaims Aboriginal historyPeople who read this also read …
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