Life is a near-death experience.
George CarlinRead
I think of shock as kind of an uptown form of surprise. Comedy is filled with surprise, so when I cross a line... I like to find out where the line might be and then cross it deliberately, and then make the audience happy about crossing the line with me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Shock in comedy is a way to surprise the audience, pushing boundaries for the sake of laughter.
George Carlin highlights the essence of comedy as a blend of surprise and boundary-pushing. By intentionally crossing the line of conventionality and societal norms, he engages the audience in an experience that is both thrilling and humorous, ultimately creating a shared joy in the unexpectedness of comedy.
Themes
ComedyShockSurpriseBoundariesAudienceLaughter
In practice
Example use cases
A comedian uses this quote to justify their offbeat humor during a live stand-up routine.
More from George Carlin
All quotes →Here’s a bumper sticker I’d like to see: “We are the proud parents of a child who’s self-esteem is sufficient that he doesn’t need us promoting his minor scholastic achievements on the back of our car."
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This is a lttle prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to pray in schools they might as well have a nice prayer like this: Our Father who art in heaven, and to the republic for which it stands, thy kingdom come, one nation indivisible as in heaven, give us this day as we forgive those who so proudly we hail. Crown thy good into temptation but deliver us from the twilight's last gleaming. Amen and Awomen.
George CarlinRead
Some people try to get out of jury duty by lying. You don't have to lie. Tell the judge the truth. Tell him you'd make a terrific juror because you can spot guilty people.
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Intelligence tests are biased toward the literate.
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