The late, controversial comedian George Carlin makes his Blu-ray debut with "It's Bad
For Ya," his last of 14 HBO specials, performed on March 1, 2008 at the Wells Fargo Center For The
Arts in Santa Rosa, California, only several months before his death on June 22, 2008. The
comedian clearly -- and often bluntly -- makes his case for what he perceives to be life's most
annoying trends and traditions, running through a laundry list of issues with concise and
to-the-point clarity of what he considers to be "bull***." Never one to shy away from his own
style, clearly comfortable in his own body, and never pulling any punches, George Carlin's
performance is a reflection of a belief system clearly molded from personal experience and
self-discovery, certainly not formed by the worldly traditions he besieges throughout the routine.
George Carlin on stage in 'It's Bad for Ya.'
George Carlin often leaves his audience in a perpetual state of laughter through "It's Bad For
Ya's"
69-minute runtime. Carlin begins the show with a discussion of old age and death, himself
recently
having achieved the age of 70 (a fact the comedian bemoans, missing his favorite number, 69).
He
embraces old age, discussing the benefits of the golden years, including its providing of a built-in
excuse to forego dull activities and the newfound lack of responsibility. With old age comes
death, a
scenario the comedian picks apart from every direction -- chiding empty words at funerals and his
disbelief in a spiritual afterlife. Carlin effortlessly slips to several other topics throughout the
remainder of the show, discussing parents' obsessing over their children, the new trend of not
allowing children to feel like failures, proper telephone etiquette, a routine belittling organized
religion, and offering his thoughts on human rights.
For anyone unfamiliar with George Carlin's work, it is important to note the comedian's
unapologetic use of crude and foul language as a cornerstone of his performances, enough to
certainly distance himself from many audiences. Clearly part of his everyday lexicon, even a
candid interview with the comedian found in the supplemental section of this disc features a slew
of four-letter words. Even in the absence of foul language, Carlin's unforgiving and honest
scathing of many social, political, and religious issues may drive away segments of his potential
audiences, too. His is certainly a polarizing outlook on life; Carlin may at one moment deride a
belief one holds in high regard while in the next chastising a political figure or policy that
resonates with the same audience member. Agree or disagree with his take on the issues or his
incessant reliance on foul language to drive his
point home, there is no denying that Carlin's unabashed honesty and willingness to speak his
mind
is refreshing in a world where brutal, honest opinion is often discouraged. Carlin's take on
"rights" as heard late in the program is a reflection of his style as he describes his belief that
anyone has the right to say anything, anywhere, and at anytime.
"George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya" debuts on Blu-ray with a 1080i, 1.78:1 transfer that is generally
impressive. The transfer features a decent sense of depth during the brief scenes looking from the
stage and into the crowds. The sense of being on-stage with George Carlin is palpable, and blacks
are nice and deep in the back and sides of the image as the crowd melds into darkness. The detail
across the stage is very good with a nice "being there" sense to it, looking strikingly real in the glare
of
the stage lights. The desk, the dictionary pedestal, the old wooden chair, and the bookshelves in
the background all offer a nice level of eye-catching detail, appearing almost as good as if one were
in the auditorium's front row. Carlin, too, looks good, a bit pale under the bright lights but every
natural line of his face and each hair look appropriately lifelike in close-up shots. Most wont be
buying a disc like this for the quality of the image, but MPI has not skimped, ensuring a pleasing
Blu-ray visual experience that manages to impress, and this disc is definitely the next-best thing to
having been in attendance at this performance.
"George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya" features a single audio track, a PCM 2.0 lossless presentation. The
audio is nicely done; the feel of being in the auditorium is reproduced very well despite the lack of a
rear channel presence; there is a sense of engulfment at times, particularly during the
extra-loud applause and cheer moments. Carlin's voice comes through loud and perfectly clear over
the center channel, with much of the ambient crowd noise flowing over the sides.
"George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya" arrives on Blu-ray with two bonus features. Too Hip For the
Room - December 17, 2007 (480p, 30:34) features Carlin discussing his life story, describing
his influences, his period of self-discovery, his mother's take on his career, and more. Carlin opens
up with an honest analysis of his career and his positions, and this interview will be a fine treat for
his biggest fans. Carlin on The Jackie Gleason Show - January 25, 1969 (480p, pillarboxed,
7:56) features a young Carlin providing a brief routine as he chides the television awards industry.
"George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya" is a special that is certainly not for everyone. Likewise, Carlin is not
a comedian that will appeal to everyone's sensibilities. Carlin speaks with a passion for a
belief system he holds in high regard, willing and able to deride most anyone and anything with
which he disagrees. His final HBO special, "It's Bad For Ya," works as both a fine primer for
newcomers to Carlin's style and as a fitting tribute for longtime fans. MPI has released a disc that is
certainly more than adequate for a stand-up comedy special. Featuring a satisfying video
presentation, a
pleasing lossless 2-channel soundtrack, and a couple of good supplements, "It's Bad For Ya" is easily
recommended for fans.
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George Carlin: It's Bad For Ya Blu-ray, Forum Discussions
