Watch The George Carlin Collection

The George Carlin Collection from MPI is a compilation of some of the best stand-up comedy routines by the legendary comedian George Carlin. Ranging from his earliest work in the 1960s to some of his final performances before his death in 2008, this collection consists of more than ten hours of hilarious, thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial material that showcases Carlin at his witty and irreverent best.

The collection is divided into six discs, each containing a different theme and featuring material from different periods of Carlin's career. Disc One, entitled "The Early Years," features performances from the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Carlin was still finding his voice as a comedian. The material here is more innocent and less political than his later work, but there are still plenty of laughs to be had as Carlin riffs on topics like hippies, drugs, and the counterculture.

Disc Two, "George Carlin Again," is a seminal performance from 1978, captured on film for HBO. In this hour-long set, Carlin takes on some of his most famous routines, including "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," a bit that landed him in hot water with the FCC and cemented his reputation as a provocateur.

Disc Three, "Carlin at Carnegie," features another classic performance from 1982, this time filmed at New York's Carnegie Hall. Here, Carlin takes on topics ranging from religion and politics to everyday life and the English language, all with his trademark wit and razor-sharp observational skills.

Disc Four, "George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy," is a career retrospective that spans Carlin's entire career, from his early days in the 1960s to his last performances in the 2000s. The material is arranged thematically, with clips grouped by topics like politics, religion, language, and social commentary.

Disc Five, "Life Is Worth Losing," captures one of Carlin's final performances, filmed in 2005 for HBO. This set is more somber than some of his earlier work, as Carlin confronts the realities of aging, mortality, and the state of the world in the 21st century.

Finally, Disc Six, "It's Bad for Ya," is Carlin's last performance before his death in 2008. The material here is classic Carlin, with the comedian taking on everything from the war on terror to the decline of American culture. The set ends with a poignant tribute to his audience, and a reminder that even in the face of death, Carlin never lost his sense of humor.

Overall, The George Carlin Collection from MPI is a must-have for any fan of the comedian's work, as well as anyone who appreciates sharp, incisive comedy that challenges the status quo. While some of the material may be dated or controversial, it all serves as a reminder of Carlin's genius as a comedian and social critic, and his enduring legacy as one of the greatest comics of all time.