What do you think?
Rate this book
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?
George Carlin spends a lot of time pondering the universe. For example, he worries about the gloves that deli sandwich makers now use. Where have they been and who wants latex on his sandwich? He wonders, too, about the PC police who refer to ugly people as "people with severe appearance deficits." And why do they lock the public bathrooms at gas stations? Are they afraid that someone will clean them? In iWhen Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?/i, Carlin probes life's deeper mysteries and emerges with many answers and very dirty hands.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2004
321 people are currently reading
6317 people want to read
About the author
George Carlin
58 books2,943 followersGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, author and philosopher.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
August 17, 2023
George Carlin was probably one of the funniest and most inlightened people on this planet. This is a book of some of his commedy ruteens. I listened to George Carlin reading it on youtube. I highly recommend this book to all.
September 25, 2015
George is one of my favorite commedians. In this book he explains his take on the American culture and Uphamistic language of the yuppy PC class. It is very funny. Nothing is sacred to this man.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to think and have a good laugh.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to think and have a good laugh.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
April 4, 2021
I'm a fan of George Carlin and his comedy. I find him very interesting and his independent and liberal thinking fascinates me. I wanted to know more about his thoughts so I picked up this book but I was very disappointed.
He isn't as funny and witty as he is on his live comedies. Perhaps he is a performer and literal writing is not his forte. This can be excused but not the number of offensive and repugnant jokes in the guise of dark humor.
He is so capable and makes some really good points. But he seems to try too hard to be funny in this book unlike live comedy where he is a natural and real legend.
He isn't as funny and witty as he is on his live comedies. Perhaps he is a performer and literal writing is not his forte. This can be excused but not the number of offensive and repugnant jokes in the guise of dark humor.
He is so capable and makes some really good points. But he seems to try too hard to be funny in this book unlike live comedy where he is a natural and real legend.
March 1, 2015
I have always enjoyed George Carlin's rants and miss him now that he's dead in that way I miss famous people that I never really knew (like Dr. Seuss and Jim Henson and Richard Pryor). So I thought I would read something that Carlin wrote, laugh a bit, lament the loss.
Well.
This book kind of stunk. Sure, there were some parts of it that were amusing (especially some of the rants about language), but mostly it was just boring. It was so boring that I couldn't even force myself to read it all. That's sad.
I guess I miss George Carlin the stand-up comic and not George Carlin the writer.
Well.
This book kind of stunk. Sure, there were some parts of it that were amusing (especially some of the rants about language), but mostly it was just boring. It was so boring that I couldn't even force myself to read it all. That's sad.
I guess I miss George Carlin the stand-up comic and not George Carlin the writer.
February 9, 2008
This is pretty much what you expect from Carlin - acerbic, abrasive, disrespectful, challenging language that doesn't give a good goddamn what anyone else thinks. Which means there'll definitely be something in there that you disagree with, and probably something that pisses you off. Not me, of course. When I watched the South Park movie, at the abortion joke from The Mole, the entire theatre was dead silent except for me in the back row, cackling. I have a very broad sense of humor.
Anyway, if you've read his previous works, and , you pretty much know what's going to be in here - a lot of essays on current events, social customs and traditions, and the general weak character of Americans today. Plus, there are lots of short bits that are really funny:
"I wanted to be a Boy Scout, but I had all the wrong traits. Apparently, they were looking for kids who were trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Unfortunately, at that time I was devious, fickle, obstructive, hostile, rude, mean, defiant, glum, extravagant, cowardly, dirty and sacrilegious. So I waited a few years and joined the army."
One of Carlin's hot points is his love of language, as the above points out. He loves language and he loves to watch how people use language to bend the truth of their meaning - in other words, he takes particular notice of euphemism. As an English teacher, and a lover of language myself, I also find this topic fascinating and have cannibalized some of Carlin's material for use in lessons on the topic. Included in this book is his "Shell Shock to PTSD" speech, chronicling the renaming of the same condition from World War I ("Shell shock. Almost sounds like the guns themselves. Shell shock!") through to the present day ("...at last, the pain had been completely buried under psycho-jargon. Post-traumatic stress disorder.").
This is one area in which I have great respect for Carlin. Overall, I prefer his old material - the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, Congolia Breckenridge and all that - to his newer, rougher stuff. But on the subject of language, I find him to be an insightful and clever scholar of communication. Words exist to describe things. At the same time, however, words conceal the true nature of things, and no one word can completely encompass the thing it describes. Knowing that, we use words to change things according to comfort and custom. We soften the things that make us uncomfortable - going from "cripple" to "physically challenged" might make up feel better about it, but it doesn't change the condition itself. No matter what we call it, Stephen Hawking isn't going to engage in a round of beach volleyball anytime soon.
What Carlin believes, and what he explains in this book and his others, is that, given the choice, we should opt for the word that is clearest, simplest and truest over the one that just makes us feel better....
In between the jokes about sex, death and old people, that is.
"A children's museum sounds like a great idea, but I would imagine it's not easy to breathe inside those little glass cases."
Heeheehee....
Anyway, if you've read his previous works, and , you pretty much know what's going to be in here - a lot of essays on current events, social customs and traditions, and the general weak character of Americans today. Plus, there are lots of short bits that are really funny:
"I wanted to be a Boy Scout, but I had all the wrong traits. Apparently, they were looking for kids who were trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Unfortunately, at that time I was devious, fickle, obstructive, hostile, rude, mean, defiant, glum, extravagant, cowardly, dirty and sacrilegious. So I waited a few years and joined the army."
One of Carlin's hot points is his love of language, as the above points out. He loves language and he loves to watch how people use language to bend the truth of their meaning - in other words, he takes particular notice of euphemism. As an English teacher, and a lover of language myself, I also find this topic fascinating and have cannibalized some of Carlin's material for use in lessons on the topic. Included in this book is his "Shell Shock to PTSD" speech, chronicling the renaming of the same condition from World War I ("Shell shock. Almost sounds like the guns themselves. Shell shock!") through to the present day ("...at last, the pain had been completely buried under psycho-jargon. Post-traumatic stress disorder.").
This is one area in which I have great respect for Carlin. Overall, I prefer his old material - the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, Congolia Breckenridge and all that - to his newer, rougher stuff. But on the subject of language, I find him to be an insightful and clever scholar of communication. Words exist to describe things. At the same time, however, words conceal the true nature of things, and no one word can completely encompass the thing it describes. Knowing that, we use words to change things according to comfort and custom. We soften the things that make us uncomfortable - going from "cripple" to "physically challenged" might make up feel better about it, but it doesn't change the condition itself. No matter what we call it, Stephen Hawking isn't going to engage in a round of beach volleyball anytime soon.
What Carlin believes, and what he explains in this book and his others, is that, given the choice, we should opt for the word that is clearest, simplest and truest over the one that just makes us feel better....
In between the jokes about sex, death and old people, that is.
"A children's museum sounds like a great idea, but I would imagine it's not easy to breathe inside those little glass cases."
Heeheehee....
February 11, 2009
LEVEL ONE
What is Carlin's main complaint in this book?
The softening of words to fit a more adverse society.
What was Carlin's ideal way to die?
His head exploding on the crosstown bus.
(Just in case that drives anyone to look up his death like it did to me, he died of heart failure.)
LEVEL TWO
Why is "word softening" so bad?
It takes away the actual meaning of what it's being used to describe. For example, what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder used to be simply "Shell Shock". Makes sense, gets the point across in two easy syllables. Now everything must be politically correct or simply enhanced becuase we seem to get tired of simply using one phrase
to describe one ailment.
Why are there no blue foods?
(Blueberries don't count, they're purple.)
Nobody knows.
LEVEL THREE
Why is word softening so bad?
It takes away the actual meaning of what it's being used to describe. For example, what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder used to be simply "Shell Shock". Makes sense, gets the point across in two easy syllables. Now everything must be politically correct or simply enhanced becuase we seem to get tired of simply using one phrase
to describe one ailment. Disgusting, soft, squishy words.
Why is everyone worried about offending others?
What is Carlin's main complaint in this book?
The softening of words to fit a more adverse society.
What was Carlin's ideal way to die?
His head exploding on the crosstown bus.
(Just in case that drives anyone to look up his death like it did to me, he died of heart failure.)
LEVEL TWO
Why is "word softening" so bad?
It takes away the actual meaning of what it's being used to describe. For example, what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder used to be simply "Shell Shock". Makes sense, gets the point across in two easy syllables. Now everything must be politically correct or simply enhanced becuase we seem to get tired of simply using one phrase
to describe one ailment.
Why are there no blue foods?
(Blueberries don't count, they're purple.)
Nobody knows.
LEVEL THREE
Why is word softening so bad?
It takes away the actual meaning of what it's being used to describe. For example, what we now know as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder used to be simply "Shell Shock". Makes sense, gets the point across in two easy syllables. Now everything must be politically correct or simply enhanced becuase we seem to get tired of simply using one phrase
to describe one ailment. Disgusting, soft, squishy words.
Why is everyone worried about offending others?
Read
March 18, 2018DNF at 27%.
It's not George, it's me.
Growing up in a culture that had nothing to do with the stand-up, I feel like I am a little behind with this bussiness. I fairly enjoyed Lous C.K, Sarah Silverman and Ahmed the Dead Terrorist. And before picking up George Carlin, I never saw him performing stand-up before. Yes, I heard he was awesome, the one of the "original" stand-upers, star of the genre. I can say that I fairly enjoyed this book but I kept wondering what impact it would have if I seen these texts as a stand-up. Georgle Carlin is on point, sarcastic, I particularly enojyed the parts about language (why shampoo isin't called shampoo anymore) and I like his ideas in general. The collection of essays is well put together, but I still beleive that it should be experienced as its original from - stand-up.
It's not George, it's me.
Growing up in a culture that had nothing to do with the stand-up, I feel like I am a little behind with this bussiness. I fairly enjoyed Lous C.K, Sarah Silverman and Ahmed the Dead Terrorist. And before picking up George Carlin, I never saw him performing stand-up before. Yes, I heard he was awesome, the one of the "original" stand-upers, star of the genre. I can say that I fairly enjoyed this book but I kept wondering what impact it would have if I seen these texts as a stand-up. Georgle Carlin is on point, sarcastic, I particularly enojyed the parts about language (why shampoo isin't called shampoo anymore) and I like his ideas in general. The collection of essays is well put together, but I still beleive that it should be experienced as its original from - stand-up.
December 3, 2017
An entirely biased rating as I have a soft spot for Carlin and love his standup. This book was a great read of some of his routines and other works.
As his standup held a light up against society in a humorous and sometimes dark way, this book also does the same.
As his standup held a light up against society in a humorous and sometimes dark way, this book also does the same.
August 12, 2017
Warning: when listening to the audiobook, use headphones.
George Carlin is my favorite comedian. I've been watching him since I was eight-years-old, probably not the best decision my father has ever made. And since his death 10 years ago, I've rewatched every standup more times than I can count, and also forced him onto some of my friends who didn't appreciate the humor as much. So when I was looking for my next Audible purchase, I couldn't resist!
While this book made me cry of laughter multiple times, it wasn't what I would expect of any book. It was choppy, and read like just a transcript of his standup. It didn't have a beginning, middle, and end; it just had several sections of ranting and raving, which I'm not altogether against. To be honest, I expected ranting because that's what his standup mostly consisted of, but I thought the book would have come together in some way. The ideas didn't connect from one to another, and that's really my only complaint about it.
What I do love about Carlin though is his ability to completely push the limits. He doesn't care about who he offends or what isn't exactly considered politically correct, and that's what I love about his comedy. And it doesn't fall short in this book! From talking about Jeffrey Dahmer in a positive light to what kind of handicapped person should actually get to board a plane first, he continues to plow through subjects that may make the audience uncomfortable, yet unable to contain their laughter. It takes someone special to pull that off, and Carlin is the only one, besides maybe Jimmy Carr, who can get it exactly right.
If you enjoyed his standup, you will enjoy this book. While the ideas may not flow together from section to section, you will laugh. And the audiobook is a good way to go!
George Carlin is my favorite comedian. I've been watching him since I was eight-years-old, probably not the best decision my father has ever made. And since his death 10 years ago, I've rewatched every standup more times than I can count, and also forced him onto some of my friends who didn't appreciate the humor as much. So when I was looking for my next Audible purchase, I couldn't resist!
While this book made me cry of laughter multiple times, it wasn't what I would expect of any book. It was choppy, and read like just a transcript of his standup. It didn't have a beginning, middle, and end; it just had several sections of ranting and raving, which I'm not altogether against. To be honest, I expected ranting because that's what his standup mostly consisted of, but I thought the book would have come together in some way. The ideas didn't connect from one to another, and that's really my only complaint about it.
What I do love about Carlin though is his ability to completely push the limits. He doesn't care about who he offends or what isn't exactly considered politically correct, and that's what I love about his comedy. And it doesn't fall short in this book! From talking about Jeffrey Dahmer in a positive light to what kind of handicapped person should actually get to board a plane first, he continues to plow through subjects that may make the audience uncomfortable, yet unable to contain their laughter. It takes someone special to pull that off, and Carlin is the only one, besides maybe Jimmy Carr, who can get it exactly right.
If you enjoyed his standup, you will enjoy this book. While the ideas may not flow together from section to section, you will laugh. And the audiobook is a good way to go!
June 20, 2008
George Carlin has long been one of my favorite comedians (although, he kind of lost freshness around the time that "Toledo Windowbox" came out). Until this, I have never read any of his books, though. To call this a funny book would be about 50% correct, as it is, indeed, a book. Mildly comic was his riff on how UFO buffs get a bum rap and people that believe in an invisible God Who demands their love get total respect from the media. But that was fairly early on in the book and after that was one barren, unfunny desert of one liner type observations and single paragraph "situation comedy."
If you're not a fan of George Carlin, don't read this book. If you are a fan, ESPECIALLY don't read this book.
If you're not a fan of George Carlin, don't read this book. If you are a fan, ESPECIALLY don't read this book.
July 24, 2011
I picked this one up because I love Carlin's work. He's as good as it gets if you prefer your stand-up comedy mixed with a bit of clever thinking.
Most reviewers stress two facts:
a) it's not that funny and
b) it's not "a book", it's filled with one-liners
Both of which are true. But then again, if all you're looking for is "fun", why pick up Carlin in the first place? He's mostly known for his subversive, insulting humor. The same seems to be true if you're not looking for one-liners but an actual plot. It's a book that a comedian wrote -although, you'd have to admit- a very talented deep thinker too.
The best part of When Will Jesus... is indeed filled with one-liners. Silly questions with hidden meanings, musings, ideas for TV shows that'd never make it, that sort of stuff. The rest is longer in length texts, of clever remarks on the use of language in America, of imaginary uncles of his and their life and deaths, and of plain Carlin awesomeness.
All in all, I enjoyed this book because in each and every of its lines I could actually see and hear Carlin speaking. You know, that deep, ironic American accent of his. It was fun. I wouldn't recommend it to everybody, but I can guarantee that his fans will like it. I did.
Most reviewers stress two facts:
a) it's not that funny and
b) it's not "a book", it's filled with one-liners
Both of which are true. But then again, if all you're looking for is "fun", why pick up Carlin in the first place? He's mostly known for his subversive, insulting humor. The same seems to be true if you're not looking for one-liners but an actual plot. It's a book that a comedian wrote -although, you'd have to admit- a very talented deep thinker too.
The best part of When Will Jesus... is indeed filled with one-liners. Silly questions with hidden meanings, musings, ideas for TV shows that'd never make it, that sort of stuff. The rest is longer in length texts, of clever remarks on the use of language in America, of imaginary uncles of his and their life and deaths, and of plain Carlin awesomeness.
All in all, I enjoyed this book because in each and every of its lines I could actually see and hear Carlin speaking. You know, that deep, ironic American accent of his. It was fun. I wouldn't recommend it to everybody, but I can guarantee that his fans will like it. I did.
November 13, 2017
I remembered George Carlin as being a lot more funny.
November 2, 2016
George Carlin é um dos meus comediantes favoritos! Já perdi a conta às horas que passei a ver e rever os seus vídeos no Youtube. Não resisti, por isso, a comprar este livro assim que o vi; no entanto, e apesar de ter gostado do livro, senti falta do carisma de Carlin, da forma como verbalizava as suas ideias e proferia as piadas.
Ao chocar-nos, George leva-nos a colocar em perspectiva diversos conceitos e noções. Toca em temas como religião, política, ensino/educação; como a sociedade evoluiu para o materialismo e consumismo que hoje lhe conhecemos, os hábitos ridículos e inúteis que mantém e até como deliberadamente optou pela sofisticação da linguagem... apenas para dizer exactamente a mesma coisa que se dizia com muito menos palavras.
Como disse, gostei do livro, mas preferia ter passado esse tempo a rever os vídeos e entrevistas disponíveis no Youtube.
Ao chocar-nos, George leva-nos a colocar em perspectiva diversos conceitos e noções. Toca em temas como religião, política, ensino/educação; como a sociedade evoluiu para o materialismo e consumismo que hoje lhe conhecemos, os hábitos ridículos e inúteis que mantém e até como deliberadamente optou pela sofisticação da linguagem... apenas para dizer exactamente a mesma coisa que se dizia com muito menos palavras.
Como disse, gostei do livro, mas preferia ter passado esse tempo a rever os vídeos e entrevistas disponíveis no Youtube.
December 16, 2015
I really like George Carlin (R.I.P) but this was... not up to his usual standards. I expected vulgar, irreverent, offensive and abrasive - it wouldn't be Carlin if it wasn't, but I was kind of disappointed with it. It reminded me a lot of by Stephen Colbert. Truthfully, Colbert probably ganked a lot of his material from this book, because it was so similar. If I had read this one first, I'd have probably liked it better. OK, maybe not. Every time Carlin would get onto a good bashin' topic, it wouldn't take off. It was just... flapping around like a wounded bird. Ineffectual, in other words. Neither one is getting anywhere.
This book consisted of a whole buttload of vignettes and skits and segments. They were assorted topics, with a strong emphasis on language, specifically euphemisms, or any other word or phrase that basically means calling something something else so that it sounds better or softer or more socially acceptable. That's cool. Those were my favorite parts. Trust Carlin to put shit out there and be blunt as fuck about it. I like that.
What I didn't like was the overlong way that a lot of the rest of the book was handled - take this section:
NINETY-NINE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
There are ninety-nine things you need to know:
1. There are more than ninety-nine things you need to know.
2. Nobody knows how many things there are to know.
3. It's more than three.
4. There is no way of knowing how many things you need to know.
Blah blah blah... This goes on for 12 more "things"... Around the 4 point is where I got tired of listening, and I'm not exactly dying to type them all out, either. It's just... get to the point already. A lot of the joke/skit/sections were like that. Descriptions of things would go on for way too long and I find myself zoning out, and by the time the punchline rolls around, I forgot what the hell the joke was about. 'Moment of Silence' was another one.
Anyway... Not his best - but there are some good parts. That's all.
This book consisted of a whole buttload of vignettes and skits and segments. They were assorted topics, with a strong emphasis on language, specifically euphemisms, or any other word or phrase that basically means calling something something else so that it sounds better or softer or more socially acceptable. That's cool. Those were my favorite parts. Trust Carlin to put shit out there and be blunt as fuck about it. I like that.
What I didn't like was the overlong way that a lot of the rest of the book was handled - take this section:
NINETY-NINE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
There are ninety-nine things you need to know:
1. There are more than ninety-nine things you need to know.
2. Nobody knows how many things there are to know.
3. It's more than three.
4. There is no way of knowing how many things you need to know.
Blah blah blah... This goes on for 12 more "things"... Around the 4 point is where I got tired of listening, and I'm not exactly dying to type them all out, either. It's just... get to the point already. A lot of the joke/skit/sections were like that. Descriptions of things would go on for way too long and I find myself zoning out, and by the time the punchline rolls around, I forgot what the hell the joke was about. 'Moment of Silence' was another one.
Anyway... Not his best - but there are some good parts. That's all.
December 30, 2019
In term of Philosophy, I dare say that George Carlin influenced me more than other ancient philosophers. Although I don't use his language, my approach to the problems and the way I view everything around me are similar to George, not because I had them myself in the first place, but because I learned gradually by listening to his talks. This book takes on many taboo subjects, one of which is religion. Many authors advance on this topic in a serious way, but to George, he managed to insert humorous reasons but still maintain his firm stand on this issue. Again, I recommend audiobook version if you want to experience this book.
April 16, 2019
Carlin's last book is a preview of sorts to his last, and most nihilistic stand up specials. A lot of this is about euphemisms, and Carlin's growing disgust with sanitized language. The miniature plays really don't work, but the book is generally better than Napalm & Silly Putty but not quite as perfect as Brain Droppings.
Want to read
February 6, 2023I said when i was reading God delusion, that george carlin's sarcastic quote about "god" was the most reachable, most thought provoking, because it is comedy, almost everyone can understand comedy, but what standup comedy have reached recently is critiquing everything about life, from the superficial to the inherently profound, from the most heretical to the most holy, you will laugh, but you will find your thoughts provoked, and you could change not because of what the comedian said, but from what your own line of provoked thinking will reach, i would like to read this maybe near the end of this year, let's end it with a laugh.
October 24, 2024
Such an entertaining book. George Carlin is really at his finest. Oh I miss the man. A man ahead of his time and endlessly intelligent. I'm a simp what can I say
August 13, 2023
I am prejudiced, I'll admit, the title&cover just about made my day. Even if you ignore the fact that it insults the three biggest religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism), the anachronistic cranky mug of author himself in the middle of "Last Supper" truly gets the message across.
Two stars, this book stars at at two stars plus.
I am thoroughly prejudiced, indeed... but then again, I am in college.
Star number three: get the audiobook.
George Carlin (RIP) was a stand-up comedian and there is no one better suited to give us his book the way he himself reads it. This is better than some routines and worse than others, but it is still longer than all of them and who can pass 7h 30 of George Carlin?
Star number four: The author.
For those of you who didn't hear, didn't read or didn't hear of George Carlin, he's the guy who defined "politically incorrect" (no Bill Mahler nonsense, please), broadcasting since the '60's. He's the guy who never got old, who talked about anything, everything. He never seemed to hold anything sacred, including the sacred itself.
He described life in the US as "a front-row seat to the freak show" and had the power and charisma to make you see it.
Star number five: CONTENT. Finally...
This book is a collection of some materials from his shows and a certainly darker approach to the other themes. Carlin has always seen life very differently, and let me put it like this, I'd as soon label it humor as horror. While lacking some of Kurt Vonnegut's style, Carlin paints it no less grotesque.
Two stars, this book stars at at two stars plus.
I am thoroughly prejudiced, indeed... but then again, I am in college.
Star number three: get the audiobook.
George Carlin (RIP) was a stand-up comedian and there is no one better suited to give us his book the way he himself reads it. This is better than some routines and worse than others, but it is still longer than all of them and who can pass 7h 30 of George Carlin?
Star number four: The author.
For those of you who didn't hear, didn't read or didn't hear of George Carlin, he's the guy who defined "politically incorrect" (no Bill Mahler nonsense, please), broadcasting since the '60's. He's the guy who never got old, who talked about anything, everything. He never seemed to hold anything sacred, including the sacred itself.
He described life in the US as "a front-row seat to the freak show" and had the power and charisma to make you see it.
Star number five: CONTENT. Finally...
This book is a collection of some materials from his shows and a certainly darker approach to the other themes. Carlin has always seen life very differently, and let me put it like this, I'd as soon label it humor as horror. While lacking some of Kurt Vonnegut's style, Carlin paints it no less grotesque.
August 6, 2016
I wish I could give this one 2 and 1/2 stars, but you can't do halfs so I rounded up because I like George Carlin.
I'm a huge fan of his act, loved him in Bill and Ted's excient adventures. I think he was the first crude comiden I watched outside of Monty Python. The problem I had with this one was that it got old. A lot of what he wrote was just stupid. I would say pointless, but its comedy, not all things funny need to have a point. Really though, a lot of it wasn't even funny so it was pointless.
I love the Euphemism stuff and the things he wrote about language and society. I think he could have written a really good book if it had been more observational. Instead he sets up redicullous situation, I guess to show us how obsered we are and then strectches it out until its dead. Like SNL post Spade and Farley, but in print.
A friend of mine brought this book to me and told me it was the funniest thing she had read in a long time, better than his other book and she thought of me while she read it and how much I would love it. I'm now questioning that friendship and if it needs to continue.
Anyway, if you are stuck in an airport, doctor's office are repair place I would bring this one a long. Its easy to pick up, put down and skim through. There are also some really good parts you will want to pass on to your friends. However, it really is wading through the crap to find the dimonds.
I'm a huge fan of his act, loved him in Bill and Ted's excient adventures. I think he was the first crude comiden I watched outside of Monty Python. The problem I had with this one was that it got old. A lot of what he wrote was just stupid. I would say pointless, but its comedy, not all things funny need to have a point. Really though, a lot of it wasn't even funny so it was pointless.
I love the Euphemism stuff and the things he wrote about language and society. I think he could have written a really good book if it had been more observational. Instead he sets up redicullous situation, I guess to show us how obsered we are and then strectches it out until its dead. Like SNL post Spade and Farley, but in print.
A friend of mine brought this book to me and told me it was the funniest thing she had read in a long time, better than his other book and she thought of me while she read it and how much I would love it. I'm now questioning that friendship and if it needs to continue.
Anyway, if you are stuck in an airport, doctor's office are repair place I would bring this one a long. Its easy to pick up, put down and skim through. There are also some really good parts you will want to pass on to your friends. However, it really is wading through the crap to find the dimonds.
July 25, 2011
Hey guys! My first audiobook!
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? is hardly worth the time. It comprises stand-up bits from other specials, but is not delivered with the rhythm and energy required for a live audience; there are admittedly stray observations that end with a confession of 'it's these sorts of thoughts that hold me back' or 'meh, anyway'; and lots of time spent on Carlin's alarmist concern for the decay of modern language. His perspective on speech will make you pay more attention to the stupid crap people say. He does have a way of making you feel as irritated about how people communicate as he is (I could give examples upon request). But the stand-up repeats are not as good delivered to a tape recorder, the sketches and quickies are hit-or-miss (the funny ones aren't so memorable), and lastly, the rants on euphemisms and rhetoric are tiresome. Shouldn't a treatise on bloated language be succinct?
Glad Carlin equipped me with that sensitivity to language and speech; it's important to curb inflated, redundant writing. One can probably acquire that inner editor by watching his stand-up, but those parts of the book are a nice reminder Thanks, George!
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? is hardly worth the time. It comprises stand-up bits from other specials, but is not delivered with the rhythm and energy required for a live audience; there are admittedly stray observations that end with a confession of 'it's these sorts of thoughts that hold me back' or 'meh, anyway'; and lots of time spent on Carlin's alarmist concern for the decay of modern language. His perspective on speech will make you pay more attention to the stupid crap people say. He does have a way of making you feel as irritated about how people communicate as he is (I could give examples upon request). But the stand-up repeats are not as good delivered to a tape recorder, the sketches and quickies are hit-or-miss (the funny ones aren't so memorable), and lastly, the rants on euphemisms and rhetoric are tiresome. Shouldn't a treatise on bloated language be succinct?
Glad Carlin equipped me with that sensitivity to language and speech; it's important to curb inflated, redundant writing. One can probably acquire that inner editor by watching his stand-up, but those parts of the book are a nice reminder Thanks, George!
August 2, 2019
Not your usual critical realism book. Human behaviour contains so many irrational and humorous aspects, and Carlin is a master for spotting them. Don’t expect argumentative analysis, rather sarcasm and not-politically-correct criticism on human trivialities.
If you don’t mind digging into human filth, this is a fun book to look out for.
Definitely suggest audio rather than reading!
If you don’t mind digging into human filth, this is a fun book to look out for.
Definitely suggest audio rather than reading!
July 4, 2021
A couple of the jokes are good, deep, and insightful, especially the ones on religion. The others are superficial and not funny, for instance, he spent 7 pages talking about what women wear (wearing types), make-up types ...etc, yes 7 pages, what's the fun in that? ... Still the religious jokes are very well crafted!
May 16, 2021
Ahahahaha hahahaha hihihuhuhahaha ahahaha
August 31, 2023
I honestly don’t understand the appeal of this man. People say he was a comic legend but I don’t think he was funny in the least. He was crass and vulgar without it being witty or original. This was a horrible book
September 27, 2012
This was Carlin's third book and while it is terribly funny, this was also biting. I winced in several spots instead of laughing. Carlin is clearly not a fan of organized religion so if you're the least bit religious, you might just get offended. Of course, if you're reading Carlin, that's probably just an expectation!
My favorite sections are always his euphemisms and he doesn't fail to deliver here. This book, though, had a different tone. The focus was less on being funny and more on observing our demented American lifestyle. It wasn't like some of Carlin's other books that felt like a running comedy routine that you could just pick up and and devour in one sitting. This one is more like a sharp cheese that you have to nibble on a little at a time.
Still, if you're a Carlin fan, you'll like this one.
My favorite sections are always his euphemisms and he doesn't fail to deliver here. This book, though, had a different tone. The focus was less on being funny and more on observing our demented American lifestyle. It wasn't like some of Carlin's other books that felt like a running comedy routine that you could just pick up and and devour in one sitting. This one is more like a sharp cheese that you have to nibble on a little at a time.
Still, if you're a Carlin fan, you'll like this one.
April 27, 2013
Hear are some things you should not say if you encounter a comedian. First: If you're with another person at the time, don't say to your friend, "You better watch out, he'll put you in one of his skits." We don't like that. It's not funny. And, by the way, we don't do skits. Second: If you meet him while you're at your job, do not say, "You oughta work here, you'd get a lot of material." It's not true. Just because you work with a bunch of simpletons, doesn't mean it translates into comedy. Third: If you work at a store, and we're shopping there, and some small mix-up occurs that needs to be sorted out, don't say to a co-worker, "He's gonna put this in one of his routines." We're not. One more thing we don't like: When you tell us something you think is funny and then you say, "You can use that if you want." We don't want to use it. Believe me.
May 23, 2015
After seeing some of George Carlin's shows and liking them I decided to read this book.
The book however is horrible as compared to the live shows. He just keeps on ranting in the whole book. Sometimes the rant is justified but mostly it's just gibberish. I barely made past the half of book and couldn't finish it even after the best of my efforts.
The book however is horrible as compared to the live shows. He just keeps on ranting in the whole book. Sometimes the rant is justified but mostly it's just gibberish. I barely made past the half of book and couldn't finish it even after the best of my efforts.
November 19, 2022
I love George Carlin and I had a good time with this book. There's some really funny stuff in here. There's also some that was not so funny but I think you find that with any comedy. Overall, I really liked it. A nice distraction.
December 16, 2008
Since "Braindroppings" is one of my favorite books, I was so dissapointed when this one turned out to be more along the lines of a collection of rants from an angry old man. It just wasn't funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.