- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
I was sorry to hear of this--I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carlin several times in the 1970's through a mutual friend of ours, the jazz drummer Joe Belardino. Carlin was a very, VERY funny man and a really nice guy. You're right, he'll be missed.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
New Haven I-5 wrote: George Carlin, comedian/ Thomas & Friends Narrarator, died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 of Heart Failure. He will surely be missed.
It is sad news when any one dies. But to post something about him in MR forums?
I read the bio on MSN news about him and while I grew up in High School hearing his 7-words routine and saw him in Reno when I was 21, the bio made me lose respect for him. He was a druggie and a counter culture, counter morals figure. Read his bio, you'll see. Certainly no role model to any one that I would recommend. I'm sure many of us have things in our past we are not proud of and don't want to be remembered for, but people in the public eye are particularly open observation because of the nature of celebrity. They are often glorified for certain talents while their lives represent something we would never want our children to emulate.
Funny guy? Yes, for sure. He was a funny guy, and many like him for his quirky and sometimes insightful humor or ways of looking at the funny side of life. For those things most of us found him funny and entertaining. Lets be realistic though, many celebrities, despite enormous talent, are often reverse role models if we knew about their real lives. I often feel American society looks up too much to celebrities and entertainers, and not enough to many real, unsung hero's, like teachers, or parents, or family members. Here's to them!
My condolenses to Carlin's family. I'm sure his family and many admirers will miss him.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 wrote: New Haven I-5 wrote: George Carlin, comedian/ Thomas & Friends Narrarator, died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 of Heart Failure. He will surely be missed.It is sad news when any one dies. But to post something about him in MR forums? I read the bio on MSN news about him and while I grew up in High School hearing his 7-words routine and saw him in Reno when I was 21, the bio made me lose respect for him. He was a druggie and a counter culture, counter morals figure. Read his bio, you'll see. Certainly no role model to any one that I would recommend. I'm sure many of us have things in our past we are not proud of and don't want to be remembered for, but people in the public eye are particularly open observation because of the nature of celebrity. They are often glorified for certain talents while their lives represent something we would never want our children to emulate.Funny guy? Yes, for sure. He was a funny guy, and many like him for his quirky and sometimes insightful humor or ways of looking at the funny side of life. For those things most of us found him funny and entertaining. Lets be realistic though, many celebrities, despite enormous talent, are often reverse role models if we knew about their real lives. I often feel American society looks up too much to celebrities and entertainers, and not enough to many real, unsung hero's, like teachers, or parents, or family members. Here's to them!My condolenses to Carlin's family. I'm sure his family and many admirers will miss him.
I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one day some number of years ago and coming across Thomas...and that conductor looks familiar.... is that... George Carlin?
I would bet the younger crew on this board would associate him more with Mr. Conductor than the Hippie Dippy Weatherman....
George V.
georgev wrote: riogrande5761 wrote: New Haven I-5 wrote: George Carlin, comedian/ Thomas & Friends Narrarator, died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 of Heart Failure. He will surely be missed.It is sad news when any one dies. But to post something about him in MR forums? I read the bio on MSN news about him and while I grew up in High School hearing his 7-words routine and saw him in Reno when I was 21, the bio made me lose respect for him. He was a druggie and a counter culture, counter morals figure. Read his bio, you'll see. Certainly no role model to any one that I would recommend. I'm sure many of us have things in our past we are not proud of and don't want to be remembered for, but people in the public eye are particularly open observation because of the nature of celebrity. They are often glorified for certain talents while their lives represent something we would never want our children to emulate.Funny guy? Yes, for sure. He was a funny guy, and many like him for his quirky and sometimes insightful humor or ways of looking at the funny side of life. For those things most of us found him funny and entertaining. Lets be realistic though, many celebrities, despite enormous talent, are often reverse role models if we knew about their real lives. I often feel American society looks up too much to celebrities and entertainers, and not enough to many real, unsung hero's, like teachers, or parents, or family members. Here's to them!My condolenses to Carlin's family. I'm sure his family and many admirers will miss him.I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one day some number of years ago and coming across Thomas...and that conductor looks familiar.... is that... George Carlin? I would bet the younger crew on this board would associate him more with Mr. Conductor than the Hippie Dippy Weatherman.... George V.
Ditto to all of the above (can we still say ditto?) I saw him in person over 25 years ago & he was very funny!! That said, in later years his politics got way too far left for my taste, but he was still funny, and I do remember the Thomas (actually "Shining Time Station") episodes he was in - since the grandkids have ALL of the Thomas tapes I'm sure we have it on tape.
Politics aside - GOD BLESS G C Wherever he may be!!
"Rust, whats not to love?"
IIRC...Carlin took over the "Mr. Conductor" role after Ringo Starr left the show. I think George had the role for 2 years, but continued as narrator for several more years.
I watched the show regularly for years when The Kid was little. Pretty neat scenery on the layout.
RIP Mr. Conductor.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
I did'nt know he was the US narrator for Thomas. (Then again I still think Ringo Starr does it). He was great as Fillmore in Cars though.
"I'm tellin' you maaaan. Every third blink is slower"
We were talking about him on sunday. Somehow we got on the subject of GC and how he was on Shining time station. Sad very sad.
Still a great guy to listen too, counterculture aside we can still poke fun at each other. Political correctness almost makes it impossible to laugh at ones self. I am glad we have guys like Geroge, Carlos Mencia, Mel Brooks,and all those other guys that make you say " He didnt just say that"When your telling the truth about life and laughing at yourself then your doing ok in my book.
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
Sigh....
Another of the good ones gone!
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
lvanhen wrote: georgev wrote: riogrande5761 wrote: New Haven I-5 wrote: George Carlin, comedian/ Thomas & Friends Narrarator, died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 of Heart Failure. He will surely be missed.It is sad news when any one dies. But to post something about him in MR forums? I read the bio on MSN news about him and while I grew up in High School hearing his 7-words routine and saw him in Reno when I was 21, the bio made me lose respect for him. He was a druggie and a counter culture, counter morals figure. Read his bio, you'll see. Certainly no role model to any one that I would recommend. I'm sure many of us have things in our past we are not proud of and don't want to be remembered for, but people in the public eye are particularly open observation because of the nature of celebrity. They are often glorified for certain talents while their lives represent something we would never want our children to emulate.Funny guy? Yes, for sure. He was a funny guy, and many like him for his quirky and sometimes insightful humor or ways of looking at the funny side of life. For those things most of us found him funny and entertaining. Lets be realistic though, many celebrities, despite enormous talent, are often reverse role models if we knew about their real lives. I often feel American society looks up too much to celebrities and entertainers, and not enough to many real, unsung hero's, like teachers, or parents, or family members. Here's to them!My condolenses to Carlin's family. I'm sure his family and many admirers will miss him.I think the tie-in here is that for some period George Carlin played the role of the conductor (Mr. Conductor?) on the Thomas and Friends TV show. I can recall a severe brain cramp whilst flipping the dial on the tube one day some number of years ago and coming across Thomas...and that conductor looks familiar.... is that... George Carlin? I would bet the younger crew on this board would associate him more with Mr. Conductor than the Hippie Dippy Weatherman.... George V. Ditto to all of the above (can we still say ditto?) I saw him in person over 25 years ago & he was very funny!! That said, in later years his politics got way too far left for my taste, but he was still funny, and I do remember the Thomas (actually "Shining Time Station") episodes he was in - since the grandkids have ALL of the Thomas tapes I'm sure we have it on tape.Politics aside - GOD BLESS G C Wherever he may be!!
Loather got it right.
Don't forget the seven words we can't say or spell (plus more) on the forum************, and all the thoughts, that fall from between the crack down the middle of our brain, that he called "Brain Droppings".
R.I.P George.
Didnt he do that famous skit "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Shining Time Station?"
Man was a genius and will be missed.
Have fun with your trains
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Pardon me, but George Carlin was seventy-one years old! can someone please explain to me what is so horrible about dying at the age of seventy-one years especially when you have had a twenty year history of heart ailments?
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
When one has a zest and love for life like Mr. Carlin had any time is too soon to close the book.
Counter culture can be defined as counter conformity and there's no guilt associated with mentioning the King's lack of clothes.
Any nay sayers out there might watch Larry King Live tonight and see how those who knew him offstage feel about George.
His time has become finite but the laughs will fill the halls of my mind forever.
Thanks Mr. Carlin. Break a leg on that stage in Heaven tonight.
Ravenstar
A Counter Culture commedian and 'Wordsmith' in it's finest sense. Remember his 'Hippy Dippy Weatherman' routine? - A classic. Made the Networks.
I remember the night he was pulled offstage by local Gendarmes @ Milwaukee's Summerfest. I was playing Miller's Jazz Venue @ the time.
LudwigVonDrake wrote: He was great as Fillmore in Cars though. "I'm tellin' you maaaan. Every third blink is slower"
HAHAHA! Today we were talking about his role in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" but I completely forgot about his voice role in "Cars". My 4-year old son has a zillion of the Thomas DVDs and videos and Cars is his favorite movie. I can say Mr. Carlin has definitely sparked some laughter from my son (as well as me) over the years. Jamie
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RIP
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
R. T. POTEET wrote:Pardon me, but George Carlin was seventy-one years old! can someone please explain to me what is so horrible about dying at the age of seventy-one years especially when you have had a twenty year history of heart ailments?
Do you want to die if/when you reach 71? Wouldn't you like to live longer? Would it have made it any less horrible (in your mind) if he died of a car accident?
de N2MPU Jack
Proud NRA Life Member and supporter of the 2nd. Amendment
God, guns, and rock and roll!
Modeling the NYC/NYNH&H in HO and CPRail/D&H in N
Ditto to all of the above (can we still say ditto?) I saw him in person over 25 years ago & he was very funny!! That said, in later years his politics got way too far left for my taste, but he was still funny
I was thinking the same thing, however, I wanted to keep my remarks "politics free".
I wonder if he really moved that far to the left? Things he was saying in his later years were fairly consistant with what he was talking about in his 20s. The verbage may have changed with the times, but the same basic ideas were still there.
Perhaps it is ourselves who, over the years, have migrated (in unseen increments) to the right?
So George was counter-culture - BFD! He poked holes in the pompous as well as everyday people and their foibles. He held a light up to those that needed it. George helped you see things in ways the mainstream doesn't want you to see them, oftentimes him showing the truth of things. He was SO much more than the 7 dirty words - that was just his way to get a foot in the door. So Carlin wasn't pc - anybody who is just doesn't live in the real world.
So people should only look up to teachers, parents and family members as hero's? Truth be told, you'll find as many, if not more, skeletons in their closets that they'd rather not have known as you would in any celebrity's background. Ozzie and Harriet or the Cleavers don't live here anymore.
R. T. POTEET wrote: Pardon me, but George Carlin was seventy-one years old! can someone please explain to me what is so horrible about dying at the age of seventy-one years especially when you have had a twenty year history of heart ailments?
There may be nothing horrible about dying at age 71 - don't know, I'm not there yet. But mourning is a selfcentered emotion. When someone dies, we mourn our loss, not their passing.
Carlin made me laugh at my own attitudes at times - and laughing at yourself is always healthy. He offered insights and a point of view that challenged me to think about them, whether I agreed with them or not - again, a healthy thing. I regret that I will never again receive his particular, unique brand of mental stimulation. If Carlin made my life just a little bit richer by what he contributed to it, then my life has been made just a little bit less rich by his death.
And he would probably find my sentiments maudlin and poke fun at them!
jackn2mpu wrote: R. T. POTEET wrote: Pardon me, but George Carlin was seventy-one years old! can someone please explain to me what is so horrible about dying at the age of seventy-one years especially when you have had a twenty year history of heart ailments?Do you want to die if/when you reach 71? Wouldn't you like to live longer? Would it have made it any less horrible (in your mind) if he died of a car accident?
Look, I liked George Carlin as much as the next guy and I am saddened by his passing buy why, may I ask, is it "horrible"?. "Tragic" might be a better adjective to his passing but then one has to ask what, since we all die sooner-or-later, would make that event a tragedy.He was only three years older than I am and that fact does tend to cause reflection on my mortality.
I most certainly would like to live beyond the age of 71; for that matter I even want to live beyond the age of 68. Would I like to live to 91? I'm not sure! we have a woman in our church who is 93. She requires a walker but she is as mentally vigilant as a woman half her age. We heap accolades on those who achieve the century mark - our president recently paid homage in the White House to the last surviving World War One veteran who recently celebrated his 107th birthday and I applauded that he had achieved that age - but most of those who do are, if you examine it closely, decrepit and I would, most certainly, above all else, like to avoid that.
What, may I ask, kind of future did we want for George Carlin with his twenty year history of cardiac problems? Did we want him to survive another twenty years confined to a wheel chair and suffering from intense dementia? I will mourn George Carlins death and move on to other things. I will not label it as "horrible" nor even as "tragic".
I don't think his views on the world changed much at all, it is we who have changed, and not all for the better! RIP George, have a doobie for me.
Another man who will be even more sorely missed by me and hasn't been mentioned here on the forum was Tim Russert. His sudden passing really hit me, I will really miss him on Sunday mornings and his insights on the politics of the day. RIP Tim.
Jay
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