Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Old Clip Of George Carlin Calling Out Comedians Who Pick On 'Underdogs' Resurfaces Amid Chappelle Backlash

Old Clip Of George Carlin Calling Out Comedians Who Pick On 'Underdogs' Resurfaces Amid Chappelle Backlash
CNN

An old interview clip featuring the late comedian, George Carlin, resurfaced on the internet in the wake of the backlash surrounding Dave Chappelle's transphobic remarks on his Netflix special, The Closer.

Chappelle remained determined not to be "canceled" after he made comments like, "gender is a fact" and identified himself as a "TERF," or "trans-exclusionary radical feminist," on his sixth program with Netflix.


The streaming platform's solidarity with the irreverent stand-up comic resulted in trans staff writers and employees walking off the job last week and comedian Hannah Gadsby lambasting Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos for using her name as an example of the company's commitment to the LGBTQ+ community amidst the controversy.

In 1990, Carlin discussed with Larry King how comedian Andrew Dice Clay should be cautious about his jokes typically aimed at marginalized people.

Many believe Carlin's words back then hold relevancy now with the controversy Chappelle is facing.

"I would defend to the death his right to do everything he does," Carlin said then of Andrew Dice Clay, who is known for his "lewd, rude, and crude" brand of humor.

You can watch the video of the 1990 interview, here.

George Carlin Interview - On Comedians Who Pick On The Underdogsyoutu.be

Carlin continued:

"The thing that I find unusual, and it's, you know, not a criticism so much, but his targets are underdog[s]. And comedy traditionally has picked on people in power, people who abuse their power."
"Women and gays and immigrants are kind of, to my way of thinking, underdog[s]. And, you know, he ought to be careful, because he's Jewish."
"And a lot of people who want to pick on these kind of groups, the Jews are on that list. A little further you've got women, gays, gypsies and boom, boom, boom, and suddenly you find the Jews."

When King asked why Dice Clay was able to "get away" with his offensive jokes at the expense of marginalized people, Carlin replied:

"I think his core audience are young, white males who are threatened by these groups."
"I think a lot of these guys aren't sure of their manhood, because that's a problem when you're going through adolescence. You know, 'Am I really, could I be, I hope I'm not one of them.'"
"And the women who assert themselves and are competent are a threat to these men, and so are immigrants in terms of jobs."

His words resonated with Twitter users.













Known for his dark comedy and for tackling religion and politics in his standup routines, George Carlin was regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comics of all time.

He died at the age of 71 due to cardiac failure in 2008.

That year, he was posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which is presented to those who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain.

The same honor was presented to Dave Chappelle in 2019.

More from Trending

Characters from 'Win or Lose'
Disney/Pixar

Disney Slammed For Adding Christian Character To Show After Cutting Trans Storyline

Disney came under fire for cutting a trans storyline and adding an openly Christian character in the new animated Pixar series Win or Lose on Disney+.

The contradictory pivot comes as part of the company's new commitment to significantly alter its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in response to a cultural shift towards conservatism pushed by Republican President Donald Trump's second White House term.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rep. Al Green
WIN MCNAMEE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Democrat Who Was Kicked Out Of Trump's Speech Posts Defiant Message In Face Of Censure Vote

Before facing a censure vote for disrupting Republican President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green vehemently expressed that he would not back down from his fight against the injustice facing constituents relying on Medicaid.

On Tuesday, Green stood up during Trump's mostly partisan congressional address and heckled Trump after the President claimed he had won a governing mandate from voters, to which Green yelled, “You have no mandate!"

Keep ReadingShow less
Cassandra Peterson as Elvira, Elon Musk
Michael Tran/FilmMagic; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

MAGA Fumes After Elvira Donates Tesla To NPR With Blunt Message For Musk In Viral Video

Actor and activist Cassandra Peterson—best known for playing the gothic horror character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark—had social media users cackling after she mocked billionaire Elon Musk by painting "Elon sux" on the side of her Tesla before donating it to NPR, angering Trump supporters in the process.

In her debut video, Peterson steps away from her iconic Elvira persona. Gone are the signature brunette wig and the plunging black gown — instead, she sports a casual black beanie.

Keep ReadingShow less
Back view shot of a young guy, dressed in a suit. He looks out into Times Square.
Photo by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash

People Debate Which Professions Will Die Out Within A Decade

With the rise of AI and automation, many careers feel like they could be on the chopping block.

As much as some life advancements in science and labor have been brilliant, many human-based positions are deemed irrelevant.

Keep ReadingShow less
ghost town in western United States
Nadia Jamnik on Unsplash

Americans Describe The Creepiest Town They Ever Visited On A Road Trip

I've lived in a small town in far Northern Maine for most of my life.

Let me just say, there's a reason Stephen King bases most of his horror stories in rural Maine.

Keep ReadingShow less