This post is taking part in the Positive Post Tuesday Blog Carnival
The big entertainment news of the week, so far — Comic George Carlin died of heart failure at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California Sunday night. His publicist said Carlin, who over the years suffered several heart attacks, complained of chest pain earlier in the day. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died. George Carlin was 71 years old.
I’ve found the coverage of his death fascinating. Not in a sick way, but in what he’s being remembered for. His comic career started with a brief partnership with Jack Burns in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. But he quickly launched out as a solo act. He released 23 comedy albums, one of which won a Grammy, and three best-selling books. Carlin was also featured in 14 HBO specials. He starred in his own sitcom, The George Carlin Show and also acted in numerous movies. He appeared on NBC’s The Tonight Show over 130 times and was inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in 1994. He’s also scheduled to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in November of this year.
But, of all those accomplishments, pretty much every news and entertainment story talking about Carlin’s death centers around his 1970’s routine Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television. That routine led to an arrest on charges of indecency. It also led to a 1978 Supreme Court case when a New York radio station played the routine on the air uncensored.
However, in the midst of his long list of credits, I’m writing a Positive Post Tuesday remembering George Carlin for another aspect of his career that many are leaving off the list of accomplishments — children’s entertainment. That’s right, aside from his rude and crude side, George Carlin had a soft spot for kids and did a number of shows in the children’s entertainment field. Not only was he on the Shining Time Station show…
…but he was also on the British children’s TV series Thomas and Friends, which was also known as Thomas the Train and Friends, from 1991 to 1998. In 2006 he also lent his voice to the movie Happily N’Ever After.
As we look at the legacy of George Carlin, how should we remember him? I have a feeling the 71 year old devoted husband, faithful father, and wonderful grandfather might rather be remembered for his children entertainment influence rather than just his Seven Words court influence.
The radio station I work at, 1420 WACK in Newark, New York, is also a CNN affiliate. They did a great short feature on the family-friendly side of George Carlin. Feel free to listen to it right here…cnn_carlin-obit .
Enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus
Dr. Rus has 30+ years experience in the field of communication. He takes this experience, and his passion to encourage others to positively effect their environment, when providing insight and movie reviews. 
When I was growing up Shining Time Station and Thomas and Friends went together. I remember watching them, Yes Rus I am young. For me my kids have been watching them and Carlin was the narrator for many of the episodes my kids watch.
When I think of George Carlin, the first thing that comes to mind is the Thomas and Friends movies. We have several where he is the narrator. I can’t say that I have ever seen his comedy routines or even heard him tell jokes, but I will always remember him for his family-friendly voice-overs. I used to watch Shining Time Station, too.
Thank you for remembering him for something most people don’t
I almost forgot that his was a voice from my childhood when I would watch PBS with my little brother while he ate his after school snack once we got off the bus. I will be finding these DVD’s to show to my kids. His acerbic wit was like none other, but I think that the best character he played of late was the grandpa in Jersey Girl. Funny and sweet. Thanks for reminding us that he was more multi-dimensional than the 7 words that were plastered over the “news” shows.