Customer Reviews

You Are All Diseased

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

First of all, I have one thing to say to all the people who have been offended by the material on You are All Diseased: Why are you listening to George Carlin in the first place? George has always TRIED to offend people like you, the typical yuppie American sheep who will believe anything the media, government, and church tell you to. If you don't like what he is saying, then cancel HBO and spend the rest of your time watching the Disney Channel and taking your kids to soccer practice. George has never wanted or needed you to be part of his audience. Carlin has always been a comic for people who like to think outside the box. His entire career is based on counter-culture comedy and that is just what makes him such a genius. Not only is this album side-splittingly funny, but George's ideas are so well thought out that you can't help but at least see his point of view, if not agree with him completely. This album ranks right up there with Jammin' and Back in Town as his best material. A hilarious, bitter old man venting his frustrations about society, just what us "thinking people" need in this culture of malls, political correctness, and soccer moms.

So, after more than 30 years in comedy, what can you expect from the 60-something Carlin? Let me tell you...

...Wild outbursts, random perverted thoughts, brutally honest societal comments and observations, hilarious yells and screams, and the funniest (...) jokes you'll hear in any album recorded by any comedian, ever.

"You Are All Diseased" takes daring jabs at subjects no one else ever had the [guts] to tackle - children, god, religion, and people in general. The things he says on this recording will do one of two things for you: make you laugh so hard you'll bust a gut or repulse you beyond belief. Heed my warning before buying...if you're easily offended or a conservative, white upper-class Republican, you're probably going to hate this album and despise George Carlin for all eternity. But, if you love a good laugh like I do and aren't afraid to hear some seriously honest and BOLD remarks on everything you can think of, by all means get Carlin's latest. It's a true classic in its own time.

It's true...it's true. This is actually my first Carlin album that I downloaded and this is awesome. My best friend tried to get me to listen to 'There Is No God' but the Christian I am, I decided not to listen to it because judging by the title, a Christian person would not listen to it. But for some reason I gave it a chance. George may or may not be an Atheist, but the way he tells the story is just plain hilarious. I learned he is one of the most honest comedians out there, and for a guy who's almost 70 he's still got it (even though this was taped 6 yrs ago). I actually saw Cigars and many things in a different way after hearing this. I didn't realize it was not right for whites to sing the blues (with the exception of Eric Clapton, of course). The 'Airport Security' skit is probably the most hilarious but more ironic 9/11 came along. I 'happen to' enjoy this and I am now in the process of hearing some more of Carlin's work.

I saw George on this tour at the John Harms theater in New Jersey (which preceeded the show that became the HBO special and this CD by a few months). I must say that seeing him live made the whole experience much cooler. He always makes me feel better about things. The show was great and this album is terrific.

A lot of the reviews here seem to be negative, which is fine, but I'm not sure I get some of the reasoning behind them. Some people seem to be quite selective about which topics they like George to riff on, and which they find offensive. This is selfish of them, to want the man's act to adhere to their personal criteria for taste. You need to take this as an entire body of work, I think. Others are of the opinion that George has 'lost it' or something to that effect, and they seem to enjoy dissecting the act to the degree that one might do with Shakespeare, or a graduate thesis. He's a comedian, people! Jeez. Anyway, I find him to be as sharp as ever. Not to say that he can do no wrong, but he's still an exceptional communicator and thinker.

Others think he's too bitter. Too bitter? That's what I love about him to begin with! His negativity is a healthy jolt for society's terminally-softened minds. The anger is also endearing to me, since George has said he believes (as do I) the notion that beneath the surface of every cynic you will find a disapointed idealist. He's disappointed in the way humanity appears to be turning out, and I for one agree. If you don't feel that way, that's fine too; but it doesn't make anyone anyone wrong or right. It's his opinion, and he makes a case for it very intelligently.

One person in this review thread honestly thinks George Carlin lacks credibility (!). Well, I honestly think that person is smoking crack. George is a comic LEGEND, has been doing comedy since he was a child, and has been through fifty times more impressionable life experiences than I have; in my opinion he's got 'cred' coming out of both ears, okay? If you don't believe me on this point, or you'd just like to learn about George on a much more personal level, check out an excellent interview he gave on the Art Bell radio show in November, 1999. You can listen to it (it's in Real Player format) off of Art Bell's website. It's free. Oh yeah: The reviewer who made such a big deal about the title being 'YOU are all Diseased' instead of 'WE are all Diseased' needs to get a life. To me, that title is the product of someone who, after a life of trying his best, simply no longer wishes to be associated with a species he views as a failed one. The 'disease' in this case has a cure: start thinking for yourself and live your life accordingly. If you'd have felt better had he lumped himself in with the rest of society in general by saying 'WE' instead of 'YOU', than you appear to be saying that you value your own insecurity and complacency more that George's honesty and integrity. Sorry, but he's not just going to pat you on the head and tell you that it's all alright.

Bottom line: I love George Carlin's work, and I think his views are healthy for people to hear and consider. He's so, so funny, this album included. If you like the stuff he's put out particularly since the late 1980's until the present, this album will make you really happy.

George Carlin's comedy over the years has became more socially and politically hate-filled. His material has gotten more bitter and yet with more insight. On his latest Carlin is more spite-filled and angst-ridden than ever. On the other hand though, Carlin is at his peak philosphy-wise. While on a whole not as funny as "Back in Town" or "What the hell...", "...Diseased" is Carlin's great comedy album. The four last tracks about business and religion are so intense and believable that it'll make you shiver. Carlin's latest release proves that there still are angry people out there trying to make us realize society's flaws. And for that, Carlin is the king.

I am a huge George Carlin fan who is currently trying to build up my CD collection. Recently I came across this in a store and it is the best purchase I have made in a long time. George is our last truly angry man and no one can escape his wrath. In this album he gives his hillariously funny opinions on Airport Security, The House of Blues, Politically Correct Language, Buisness, religion, and many other areas. This is one of my favorite Carlin albums and I'd recomend it to anyone. Unless of course you are a Christian Conservative, or a Conservative Christian.

First of all, let me give you the setting: This CD is the audio portion of a comedy psecial of the same name originally recorded and aired as a live broadcast on February 6, 1999, his eleventh special for HBO.

No onto the sarcastic portion of my review...sure George says some off the wall things about airport security and bombs on planes and such, but it was 1999 folks. If you think that he had any way of knowing in 1999 about the September 11, 2001 WTC attacks, then you are genetic wackaloon for being offended by something that was recorded 2 years, seven months and five days prior. Lots of people said lots of things, and a lot has happened since then. Get over it. If you are the overly sensitive type who would be offended by that, you shouldn't be listening or watching George Carlin anyways, because everything he says is gonna offend you, especially sense he makes fun of fruitcakes like you all the time.

Now for the legitimate review: As previously stated, this is George's 11th special for HBO. His first five specials were in a "comic philosopher" type of vein, where he would make funny comentary about everyday things that everyone could relate to. However, starting with "What Am I Doing In New Jersey" and building momentum since then, George's routines have dealt more with social commentaries about politcs, religion, and other things. He more passionate about what he's talking about, so he yells and screams more than in his earlier work. His modern work is more in tune with the likes of Sam Kineson. Some refer to it as his "Grumpy Old Man" mode.

This special is very funny, take a listen to "Airport Security","Fear of Germs", "Kids and Parents", "Advertising Lullabye", "American BS" and "There Is No God", and you'll see what I mean. Its not what I would call "Classic" George, I reserve that more for "Carlin on Campus" or "Carlin at Carnegie", but its definately good work. The show itself was nominated for two Emmy awards and the record was nominated for a Grammy.

I just began to take an interest in George Carlin recently, reading his book "Napalm & Silly Putty" and seeing his concert DVD "Complaints & Grievances". George Carlin is in my oppinion, one of the funniest men in America. He is HILARIOUS. He confronts issues that you never heard a comedian talk about and I actually agree with some of the stuff he talks about. Especially his thoughts on religion. Here are the tracks and my thoughts:
How's Everybody Doin: Just the intro
Airport Security:Very funny. Makes a lot of good points.
Fear of Germs: Hilarious. The point about police swabbing a death row inmates are with alcohol before giving him a lethal injection is a really good point.
Cigars:Not incredibly funny. A chuckle here and there.
Angels: Too short. But still funny.
Harley Davidson: Funny
House of Blues: Pretty funny.
Minority Language: Very funny & true.
Man Sutff:Very funny and love the piece about the president.
Kids & Parents: Hilarious. This is funny as hell.
TV Tonight: This is one of my favorites. Very funny.
Names: Very funny. Laughed my a$$ off.
Advertising Lullabye: Very funny.
American Bullsh*t: Funny.
Businessmen: HAHAHAHAHAHA
Religion: This is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.
There Is No God: I still can't stop laughing.
A+.

That introduction sets the stage for the album version of George Carlin's 11th HBO stand-up show. For longtime Carlin fans, this is George at his ranting and raving best. But newcomers beware: This is Carlin at his most fierce, his most merciless. Nothing is sacred, and no one is spared. Catholics, Christians, Jews, blacks, whites, men, women, and even children are all targets in his ferocious rants.

This was the first of his shows that I saw, and at times I thought he went too far. But eventually I began to realize what he was saying. For example, in one segment of the show he rants about the state of children in America. At first I thought this was too much, going after the kids. But then I figured out what he was really complaining about: He isn't knocking on the kids, but rather accusing the parents and teachers and other authority figures of softening children up and rob them of their integrity.

Not all of Carlin's material is done for laughs. Much of it is done for thoughts. Carlin is a pro at taking a familiar topic and turning it upside-down and inside-out so you could see it for a whole new angle. While it's not always funny, it is definitely worth listening to.

I've always been a fan of George Carlin, and he and I see many things in the same light. That said, let me recommend this to anyone who has an unconventional world view. Politically correct, touchy-feely yuppy twits who give their children names like Amber, Caitlin, Carter, and Flynn need not apply! George gives voice to those who feel that things are going desperately
wrong in our culture. Be forewarned, this is not for the faint of heart. Fasten your seat belts, and enjoy!