Watch George Carlin: On Location at USC

George Carlin: On Location at USC is a comedic documentary film starring the legendary comedian George Carlin. The movie was filmed at the University of Southern California's (USC) Bovard Auditorium in 1977, and it captures Carlin performing his stand-up comedy routine in front of a live audience. The film runs for approximately 60 minutes and is directed by Marty Callner.

The movie opens with a shot of Carlin walking on stage to a thunderous applause from the audience. Carlin begins by introducing himself and jokingly pointing out how easy it is to be a rebel when you’re in your thirties, but it becomes much more difficult as you age. He then dives into his routine, which is a mixture of observational comedy, satire, and social commentary. He talks about a wide range of topics, including religion, politics, language, and sex. His delivery is energetic, and his facial expressions and body language add to the humor.

Carlin’s perspective on religion is a recurring theme throughout the film. He criticizes the idea of an all-knowing and all-powerful God who demands worship and punishes those who don’t obey his rules. He also mocks the concept of prayer, which he believes is just a way for people to feel better about themselves without actually doing anything. Carlin’s views on religion were controversial at the time, but his humor and wit made them more palatable.

The comedian also touches on the subject of language and how it contributes to the way people think and perceive the world around them. He points out the absurdities of the English language, such as how the word “flammable” and “inflammable” mean the same thing or how “phonetic” isn’t spelled phonetically. He also makes fun of euphemisms and politically-correct language, which he believes are just ways to avoid saying what people really mean.

Politics is another frequent target of Carlin’s humor. He criticizes the concept of the American Dream, which he believes is just a way to keep people working hard and consuming more. He makes fun of politicians and their empty promises, saying that they only care about their own interests and will say and do anything to get elected. He also takes a swipe at patriotism, calling it a disease that blinds people from reality.

Aside from these heavy subjects, Carlin also makes jokes about everyday life, such as the difference between dogs and cats, the annoyance of waiting in line, or the silliness of commercials. He tells stories about his family, including his wife Brenda Carlin and his daughter Shayna Alexander, who make brief appearances in the film. These moments provide a glimpse into Carlin’s personal life and show that, despite his irreverent humor, he has a soft side.

The film’s visual style is straightforward, with minimal editing and no fancy camera work. The focus is on Carlin and his routine, with occasional shots of the audience and a few reaction shots from Carlin’s wife and daughter. The stage is sparsely decorated, with only a microphone stand, a stool, and a backdrop with Carlin’s name on it. The simplicity of the setting allows for the audience to fully focus on Carlin’s performance.

In conclusion, George Carlin: On Location at USC is a classic comedy film that showcases the brilliance of George Carlin. His razor-sharp wit, irreverent humor, and social commentary resonated with audiences in 1977, and they still hold up today. The film captures Carlin at his best, performing in front of a live audience and leaving them in stitches. It’s a must-watch for fans of stand-up comedy or anyone who wants a good laugh.

George Carlin: On Location at USC is a 2001 tv movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.