Ep 5. The Best Of George Carlin (11/29/84)
- TV-14
- November 29, 1984
- 42 min
The Johnny Carson Show season 3 episode 5 showcases The Best of George Carlin. This episode from the late '80s takes us on a ride through some of George's best moments in his career as a stand-up comedian. Fans of George Carlin will appreciate this episode as it features classic and hilarious sets from the man himself.
In the early part of the show, Johnny Carson comes out and introduces George Carlin to the audience. George comes out shooting from the hip with some hilarious lines, making the crowd roar with laughter. He shows some of his classic comedy bits, like "People I Can Do Without" and "Baseball and Football". It is interesting to see George in this environment, as he is the master of his domain.
One of the highlights of The Best of George Carlin is the fact that Johnny Carson himself is a big fan of George's work. They have a good relationship and it is evident in their on-screen interactions. Johnny asks George how he comes up with his material, to which George replies that he writes a lot and is always observing the world around him. George goes on to talk about his observation of language and how it changes over time, incorporating some of his famous wordplay and humor.
Throughout the episode, George gives us insights into his life as a performer. He talks about how he got his start in stand-up and how he honed his craft over the years. He also shares some stories about his early days and some of the comedians he admired.
The Best of George Carlin also features some great musical performances. Johnny invites a group of musicians to play some songs, and George even joins in on the fun. It is always great to see George's musical side, as he always had a talent for not only writing and performing comedy but also for writing and performing music. The music pieces are a nice break from the comedy and they round out the episode nicely.
Overall, The Best of George Carlin is an excellent episode for fans of George's work. It features some of his best material and gives us a glimpse into his life as a performer. The episode also shows us the great mutual respect between Johnny Carson and George Carlin and how they appreciated each other's talents. As the episode draws to a close, Johnny thanks George for his time and his great work, and the audience gives a standing ovation. It's a fitting tribute to a true comedy legend.