George Carlin was the first person I heard calling out religion, when I was just a kid. He helped me cultivate critical thinking. I will always love George Carlin as if I knew him.

American Dream...."because you have to be asleep to believe it." Great Carlin quote.

My dad took me to a George Carlin show when I was 8 years old and sat me down and said "you might not understand what he's saying or why it's funny, but what he's saying is important". Still go back to his shows both to find moments of clarity and levity, but also to feel connected to my dad.

"Don’t just teach your children to read… Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything." ~ George Carlin

Carlin is like the Shakespeare of comedy. A hundred years from now he will still be relevant. He was amazing.

I recall my first introduction to Carlin when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My brother bought a copy of "Class Clown" and we were listening to it in his room. To our dismay, our Catholic mother happened to come in just as George was reciting the seven words you can't say on TV. She took the record, but the next night, I heard my parents laughing their asses off listening to it when they thought we were all asleep.

When Judd talked about his kids and how things like the Daily Show and South Park shaped them. That is the experience I had. I grew up in an extremely conservative environment and the Daily Show was the one liberal voice I heard. Now I am farther left than that but Jon really was the voice I heard that made me realize I wasn't alone in thinking the people around me were wrong. And I was allowed to watch it because it was "just" some comedy show. And I know I share that experience with a lot of the people I grew up with.

Carlin is a philosopher, a thinker, his medium is comedy.

I remember watching Carlin when I was young. He blew my mind. At times he horrified me, and isn't that the ultimate compliment? He got me out of my comfort zone. He popped my self righteous bubbles. I went to him for hard truths without realizing it because he was so relatable. I didn't realize how much I miss him until now.

Good to see Carlin's spirit is still very much alive, in these times where it's most needed.

George opened the eyes of everyone that listen to him. He was a comedic genius and a visionary. What he said 20,30 years ago is not just still, but even more relevant as time goes on. He used comedy to enlighten people, make them question everything and understand why it’s important to do so.

I had to write something the day George died, as I felt he was such an important part of my life. This is what I wrote down in my book of songs and poems, dated 6/23/08: Mr Carlin was a man with no gun in his hand just a whole lot of stories to tell he had few beliefs, but his comic relief was a comfort to all he knew well He'd make fun of us all, and he's having a ball, telling all that he sees and he hears of our fears and religions, he's no politician, but a wonder to our eyes and our ears Guest hosting on Carson, doing the Flip Wilson show open for a rock band - where anything goes Make everyone laugh, we would just about pee with those seven little words you can't say on TV Back in the days of the Hippy-Dippy Weatherman back in the time of our first color TV you were there, making everything funnier Now I'm older, but you were so much bolder than me Holy Shit! You were IT, Mr Carlin! I still miss him...

I first discovered George Carlin's comedy act in the early 60s and was pleasantly surprised because I went out with some friends who wanted to go to a comedy show while I wanted music but I was soon hooked for life. I still listen to his comedy online.

One thing for certain, this affirms what I’ve always thought about the best comedians - they are some of the smartest people alive.

As embarrassing as this was back in the 80s, I loved Carlin's 80 stuff. And yes, Kinison changed all of that and then Carlin came back out of his corner and began swinging again. George was NEVER a letdown, even when he was talking about peas.

When George passed away it actually shocked me that the news of his passing brought me to tears. I've never even met him & there was plenty of people that I've known who evoked no emotion in me whatsoever when they died. Miss George real bad. 🖤

He spoke truth and people of integrity appreciate it when someone can both speak truth and make us laugh about things that should be making us cry or scream at the insanity of the situation. His "BIg Club" routine is one of the single most important speeches ever. There were others, but his was a singular voice.

Ahh serendipity. Was just talking less than an hour ago to my friend about Carlin's "you gotta be asleep to believe it."

This is brilliant. Who's interviewing whom?! Each interviews the other! Old friends catching up, contemporaries comparing stories, not in inches, but in years and laughs and a sort of time-capsulization, distillation of it. Fucking perf.

Georges message through comedy was to always question things and critical thinking skills. He was the first person I remember as a child questioning religion and other human tropes. He was not only shocking on purpose, but taught us that none of us are more worthy or special that our neighbor, and to think so, is a delusion. He humbled us all like a hilariously vulger profit of truth. He was a visionary and will be missed.

Thank you for not paywalling this podcast. Both Jon and Judd are just so cool and they edited in with the bits. Amazing. Thank you for the podcast. Can't wait to watch the documentary.

Jon Stewart, George Carlin and Bill Hicks all taught me my base political knowledge as a teenager.

George's longevity is due to the fact he wasn't just a comedian. He was a philosopher and truth-sayer. He spent his life in search of the reality of life. Comedy was almost secondary. .. That being said, I didn't always agree with his points and I'm sure some of it was just for comic effect.

This morning I watched George and Jon talk on a clip on KZfaq. I really wish George was alive to see where and what’s going on right now. George’s shows were more of a foreseeing of the future.

MASH. Carlin. These were my comedy loves growing up. They were funny, but they were also overflowing with empathy and understanding. Greatest teachers I ever had.

Comedy like what George Carlin did, helped us deal with the real world and the shitty stuff that is going on. Great talk, the documentary sounds amazing!

George was the Chuck Berry of comedy...the way Chuck set the template for how to do rock and roll, George blazed the trail for modern standup. The fact he/his work are MORE relevant now, 14years after his passing, speaks for itself. A long, long overdue doc.

Every day I find myself wishing that George Carlin and Robin Williams were still around (especially in the last 5 years). These 2 geniuses were the absolute best at bringing up social and political commentary while making people laugh.

I grew up in George Carlin’s stuff. Man he is sorely needed in this day and age. RIP

Jon was my Carlin. It's astounding how deeply my world view was influenced by Jon's Daily Show. Carlin will, however, always be the GOAT.

Oh this is fantastic! I had no idea this was going to be made. I can't wait to watch it. Thank you guys for your passion and care.

I'm of an age that I was exposed to George Carlin in my early teens. My respect for Judd Apatow has increased exponentially from this interview. This guys are doing important work. Kudos again to Jon for this. THANK YOU

People need more awareness of carlin. Dude was and will always be great. Truly great.

What a great show to have to watch after not seeing Jon for a while. Brilliant discussion and George Carlin is so much more than a comedian.

Carlin was the first comedian I ever saw on tv as a kid. George hit the nail on the head so effectively. St George will live on and influence us forever.

Listening to George Carlin recently, I laughed like I hadn't laughed for years. He is so relevant and perfect for right now. George Carlin kept me sane during our very important federal election in Australia that turned out so well last Saturday. He lives on.

This was truly outstanding! Very few people have put as much thought and love into their work as Jon Stewart and Judd Apatow.

This was such an interesting & great conversation to listen to. The concept of 'flow', of over time seeing the influences of someone's idols coming out in their work, & how comedy & commentary today is kind of shaping the next generation. My dad grew up watching mash, & as I was growing up we always watched the reruns together. I can still look to it & see where I was influenced & how it shaped the person i became. I also really felt that Sam Bee quote, where her show is really about "You're not crazy, I agree with you." Because that's why I go looking for Stewart, Oliver, Colbert, is that sense of "This is as frustrating & insane for other people as it is for me." It's a sense of release or catharsis, that it's just as screwed up as I think it is.

Always awesome to hear two people really nerd out about their craft. Beautiful

It was a pleasure listening to you guys nerd it out, you guys are brilliant

I was scared the mainstream media succeeded in canceling Jon's intellectual show. What a relief.

I never saw Carlin get made fun of. We were teens, we had a couple guys who collected and always played comedy tapes (instead of music while driving, like the rest of us), so I was always listening to comics who had albums out (usually older comics). It was a philosophy education as well as entertainment. And SNL was already passe. I'm really interested in seeing this documentary. History, perspective, fads and phases, social evolution, etc, is really fascinating.

I was always struck by Jon's humanity while watching the Daily Show. I just can't do it. I'll sit there and say "that sucks" or recognize that something is messed up but Jon always seemed to really feel it. I appreciated that

I’m 66 and I always loved G Carlin. I subscribe to his page on KZfaq just to hear what his take is on politics of today, 2022! He is right on and I am so glad that people today are still giving him his props, cuz he is deserving. He was way ahead of his time and really had his finger on the pulse of American society. Bravo George, enjoy! ❤️✌🏽✊🏽

I got my ticket to the freakshow.. and it's front row, baby!

Are we going to let this world fall apart? Thank you George, Jon and Jud.

Thank you both for this conversation. Just having this long form talk that is real, passionate and humble is as rare as George Carlin’s talent was.

My brother (gone now) and I saw Carlin in Raleigh in the 70s. There was no show…he barely even stood up during the show, he just sat at this table and read through his notes. And it was by far the funniest thing I’d ever seen or heard, and all of it original and new and mind bending.

i could've listened to these two for many more hours. i loved how they both interviewed each other. engaging interview. :)

Carlin shaped my view of things 1000x more than my parents, schools, or anything else in my life. ❤️

Loved this interview! Thank you for doing this, Carlin was my hero and I still watch the Stewart interview from 25 years ago till this day.

I hung out with George for several months in 1964. He was unmarried, clean of drugs and warm, sweet and funny. Then he began to be successful and didn't return. He enriched my life. I miss him.

Judd, Thanks so much...so much! George's importance....to everyone....shines through. You have so much tact and spoke the truth for future fans. Only you have that "touch"....so well done, it really does go beyond words. Thank You again, Judd. And, back at you, Jon! For most of us, there is NO problem, Jon!! Welcome back!

Finally I found someone who as a kid watched M.A.S.H.! I grew up watching that show with my dad. Still my favorite TV show.

Carlins’ comedy made me start thinking and question everything when I first saw his stand up on TV when I was 11. I’m 50 now.

Thank you Jon. Carlin was and is a treasure. Can't think of anyone better to introduce us to this production. Thank you both.

This deserves a ton more views: great conversation about a comic who stubbornly remains relevant.

I loved the documentary about George. I remember very well being about 12 years old and buying the cassette tape what am I doing in New Jersey and being so struck with his intelligence and delivery. Listening to that tape changed me and made me an instant fan of his work for life. I knew he had a cocaine problem but holy shit he was border line insane because of it. Listening to the part where he was loosing his voice from screaming and singing non stop was crazy to watch. I've seen both parts 3 times now and I'm sure I'll watch it again. George Carlin is the greatest comedian/philosopher and I constantly wish he was still alive to put his spin on things especially with what has happened in the past decade. America needs another George Carlin for the good of man kind.

I’m 65 years old and go back to the Hippy Dippy Weatherman days. George and I started growing our hair long at about the same time. George was an adult voice of logical humor in a crazy time.

Thank you thank you thank you both for letting us listen in during your conversation 🙏🙏

George Carlin was a jazz musician with words and concepts. his light will ALWAYS burn brighter than most humans who have ever been born - and that includes nearly all world 'leaders'. for me, growing up in the 70s his style o' comedy forced my mind to question all those who shamelessly appoint themselves as some kind o' authority - which is a dangerous act in and o' itself. later Jello Biafra expanded that habit to questioning everything, strengthening those critical thinking skills - which are sorely lacking in the u.s. in the 21st century...

The documentary blew me away! When he started talking about abortion and how the right only cares until you're born is stunningly relative. Great job - Judd Apatow!

I saw George Carlin in the mid-70s. He was on a revolving stage in a small venue in Houston. It was the funniest show I had ever seen. George Carlin was a genius. If Elvis is the King of Rock & Roll, then George Carlin is the King of Comedy.

I am 70 years and grew up on George Carlin! Brilliance pristine!

Judd Apatow view about George Carlin "dark" joke stance and correlating it with "Don't Look Up" is right on. I appreciated George Carlin's nihilistic thought process, that we as the freak show deserved a bleak end -- yet secretively am rooting that humanity would reach the idealism of "Star Trek". Carlin compelled me to be more discerning to the reality around us.. from the sketch about cemeteries and golf course, malls and parking lots, the false interpretation of wealth, the context by which words are used. The absurdity hailed against Roe vs Wade "if your pre-born your fine .. if your preschool your "Fucked"! Carlin obliterated the constraints of catholic dogma and christian rhetoric for me as a 20 yr old. Carlin was the initial kick to understand the importance of learning about politics (and now realize why watching John Steward's "Daily Show" clicked - Thanks John Steward) Miss you George Carlin.

I was a huge George Carlin fan. My favorite comedians were both George Carlin and Richard Pryor. No other comedian could touch them. I saw Carlin in concert. I was mezmorized. He was brilliant. Thank you Jon Stewart (whom I also love) and Judd Apatow for this wonderful discussion.

My Dad played Carlin albums and we listened to them together. Some of my best memories of him. Thanks for the light.

When George tells John, "you are going to show us a lot," it absolutely crushes me.

George Carlin on "rights" is so spot on today it can't be expressed enough across this entire country

George also starred in three of the coolest movies of all time: Carwash, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and Dogma.

To put George's work in perspective, 14 years after his death he is still dropping people's mouths open with his humor and perspective. And while his earlier work was much more in a banal comic vein, his later work teasingly poked fun at our notions of reality. His later work was like telling us to wake up to the absurdity of reality. To open our eyes and have a laugh at how we are fooling ourselves, and how we've let others fool us. It's truly remarkable that he remains, and will probable remain relevant well into the future. Thanks George, you've done the world proud.

I'm 70 now and it was like going back in a time capsule. Thank You.

The Shandling & Carlin documentaries are fantastic. I look forward to seeing more films documenting comedy/pop culture history by Judd 👍

He will ALWAYS resonate

Great point made at 21:30 about Carlin's ability to recite densely worded bits. My personal highlight as a comedy fan was seeing him in concert in Sacramento. He informed the audience up front that this show was "between specials," meaning we were about to hear familiar bits from the previous Beacon Theater HBO special combined with new material from the upcoming one. It's just how his process worked. Sure enough, about half of it was familiar, including the already-classic "Why We Don't Need 10 Commandments." When he reached the finale, Carlin reminded us that he was still working out a new bit and would we please forgive him if he consulted some notes. Of course, applause, applause. He pulled out a printout of the new bit and began reciting it, sometimes looking at us and other times at his sheet - more similar to the way mere mortals might give a speech. The new bit was about a major catastrophe, and filled with exact imagery. At the time, I remember thinking "Okay, 'Advertising Lullaby' was one thing, and even I can recite 'Baseball vs. Football' by heart. But how the hell will he ever memorize THIS?" Sure enough, a few months later, the Life Is Worth Losing special airs on HBO. That bit had become "Coast-To-Coast Emergency" (or "Uncle Dave," depending on which version). Instead of watching a man reading from a sheet of paper in Sacramento, it's Carlin performing the hell out of it at the age of 68 or whatever he was at the time.

Just finished watching this amazing documentary. I grew up with George Carlin and read Brain Droppings, but learned so much more about him and his life. It’s so hard to believe he’s been gone since 2008.

1969...a sophomore in HS, Mesa AZ, 6'2" and 225#, square chin, starting defense tackle, shoulder length blonde hair, deep blue eyes, a babe magnet!... with ambition to med school at Univ of AZ tho Vietnam messed that dream up. And what sticks mostly in my thought is going over to the nerdest pair of guys houses, sitting on floors in bedrooms and listening to both Carlin and Bill Cosby on vinyl records, laughing till tears ran. I had my priorities!

Growing up in the 70s I learned everything I needed to know about life from Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

Even though I'm late to this thank you a lot for doing this segment about George Carlin. What a mind. What a legacy. His stand ups are still a must see for everyone imho. Thanks again.

Thanks for your dedication to, and amplification of George Carlin, I've always loved the bits you referenced (life) (context) (sales rap). And for the stories you shared personally, related to George and otherwise. Really great to learn more about Judd Apatow, and his early dedication to a fringe art for as well as thoughts on art and work. Always to Jon!!! Thank you for a lifetime of dedication to deeper conversations, and laughs along the way.

THANK U BOTH SO MUCH, Jon & Judd, For This Totally Enlightening Interview On GOOD OLD GEORGE, WHO I Grew-Up Watching When I Was A Teen In The ‘60’s. & For A Relevant Comedienne’s Bit, Plz See The Tweet I Made Regarding That Subject, & Tell ME IF U LAUGHED AND THEN IT MADE U RE-THINK UR POSITION. See U’ALL Real Soon❗️ ♠️🌹💃🏽

I'm thankful I got go watch jon interview george. Passing the torch of comedy in such a dark world with little hope. Need more comedy not less.

Thanks, Jon! Thanks, Judd! I loved all 4 hours of GEORGE CARLIN'S AMERICAN DREAM (2022). 💎

I got to work closely with Judd a few days on set and it was cool to see how he collaborates with actors in real time to come up with uniquely funny moments. You could tell that he really just loved his work.

The book Last Words is actually my favorite body of work by Carlin.

I need to re-watch with pen and paper and take notes on this comedy education. I LOVE Carlin, Apatow and Stewart!

It's phenomenal. Laughed & cried which led to an empty box of tissue. Love isn't perfect. Love is ugly at times but god damn it Love is beautiful.

Wonderful discussion. George Carlin was the best. He is sorely missed. He would be so relevant today. It was so touching that you both gave George Carlin such respect.

To Jon, or whomever reads this: I love all your projects, but especially this show. I really get behind the episodes when you hold power to account, but...this episode, this conversation, was so effing wholesome and enjoyable. Thank You!

At that low point of Carlin's career. the '80s to '90s. That's when I discovered him. And I fell in love with his work from the first time I heard him speak.

I watched the George Carlin special yesterday and it was FANTASTIC!!! Definitely worth watching at least five times. Congratulations to Judd Apatow and his crew.

I love the fact that George Carlin, himself, read his books aloud and posted it all on KZfaq. What a freaking badass bestowing us all with the gift of HIM reading HIS books the way only he can. They're beautiful and I am eternally grateful for his all of his words.

I listened to every last drop. I even took notes. Love this interview.

My comedy hero George Carlin

Carlin captured me for life during his earliest tv days as the Hippy Dippy Mailman/Weatherman. Can't wait to watch the documentary.

One of the best things about this video is that you reference many of the people that you respect and consider exemplars of the craft of comedy. I am so excited you gave me a list of people I need to look up, research, learn from and learn to appreciate.

Superb, thank you. Erudite, incisive, entertaining. Judd is one of my weird crushes. I love him. ❤

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I didn't really know about Carlin's personal life until watching this documentary. It made me appreciate him even more. His presence is sorely needed now and his absence is definitely felt but his words are here for us to continue to discern.

It's so weird how much Jon Stewart keeps teaching me just how to be a person