When I wrote this comic, I thought to myself “Who would I cast as the doctor if this were 1977?” Some folks don’t remember George Carlin for his movie roles (Rufus in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and others), but that’s who popped into my head. Who else could play an easy-going, peace-lovin’ doctor? Yep, George. Also, Carlin did a routine or two where he makes fun of nursery rhymes, and that fit into my dialog as well. Funny how a cartoonist’s mind works… or was it a 70s flashback? Not sure!
Oh, I didn’t say WHEN Bud would transform, I’m just reminding you all that he does so when it happens, I won’t have to explain it too much. I like setting things up.
Today’s Title: Dipping once more into 1972 and a Jackson Browne penned tune for a comic title! Two-fer! This song was Browne’s first Top-10 single, and apparently he wouldn’t do that again until 1982 with “Somebody’s Baby” I thought his 1977 live album had bigger hits then that, but oh well.
And a little Carlin Flamethrower humor to tide you day:
**************
even tho it was released in ’74 as opposed to ’77, “earache my eye” would’ve been slightly better as a title imho, especially since bud probably has a buttache from falling outta the car.
excellent rendering of carlin. man, the world needs him now more than ever.
–dee!
I had totally forgotten about that song. It was huge in Chicago on WLS-AM so I don’t know how I forgot it, but none the less…
Actually, I did not own any Cheech & Chong albums but did listen to them. I preferred stand up comedy like Carlin (I had all of his albums), Steve Martin or Bill Cosby. Performance comedy like Cheech & Chong are best when they’re seen live, which I never did. The only performance comedy albums I have are by the Firesign Theater. They’re more my style of stoner comedy!
Yes, George Carlin’s humor was both entertaining and eye-opening. He was “angry” in his later routines to bring out things in our society. He not only made you think, he made you laugh too. We really need to laugh these days as things suck even more now. Yes, I truly miss Carlin. Saw him in Vegas in April of 2001 and it was a total blast.
i too have often wondered … how can you be in two places at once when you aren’t anywhere at all…
i tend to disagree with you about cheech ‘n chong though … i think C&C’s humor translates excellently via recordings and it seems to me that very little had to be rewritten to make it work without visual aid. i always laugh my ass off listening to just about anything they did. they made it really easy to imagine the situations in yer head. sister mary elephant or dave are perfect examples … you can just picture the guy’s vein in his forehead pounding outta his face while beating down the door wanting to kill his buddy for not letting him in… or the nun screaming her head off and all the students immediately shushing. genius.
i think that’s one thing that the current generation is losing rapidly with all the youtubes and visual stimulus (and no offense intended in regard to the webcomic). it seems like all recorded comedy (with the exception of lewis black, for example) has taken such a turn that the guys have to write their material to have everything either explained way too thoroughly or need a visual to ‘get it’, whereas stuff like the C&C and monty python records gave yer mind all that it needed to see exactly what was happening. kind of sad.
carlin, as you said, was the king of rant humor. the guy could make light of even the darkest things imaginable, and do it with an intelligent blade that could cut open the subject like a sharp knife and yet still let the funny straight out and lay it right in front of you. truly unique. very few comedians have that skill. to be angry is one thing — to be angry and hilarious at the same time is just rare.
thank goodness we still have lewis black.
–dee!
p.s. should we call this character “the hippie dippy doctor”?
LOL! Call the cops as I just stole that idea! Man, that’s cool!
Carlin as the doctor – classic! Pants missing – scary!
I just kinda envisioned the ambulance ride into the hospital and no one bothering to give drunk Bud something to wear.
Aw, man, I miss George Carlin already. That “you don’t say” line is classic Carlin.
Never was a Carlin fan. I found his stage-act delivery to be whiny and couldn’t stand to listen to it long enough to appreciate the humor. He was hysterically funny in “Dogma” though.
George openly stated in his later comedy routines that his act was about a series of things that pissed him off, which could sound whiny. But, I liked his take on things.
Contrary though, his four classic albums, FM & AM, Class Clown, Occupation: Foole and Toledo Window Box, are filled with stories of his life and a look at society without really being that “pissed” about it. You could play the entire album of “Class Clown”, sans the 7-words bit, on the radio as he never used any swears. His later routines were filled with all types of language, again that was his style of delivery in his later routines.
George ain’t everyone’s bag of tea, I know, but I found him hilarious.
Yeah, but on the other hans I can listen to Lewis Black (most days) and *he* is pissed off and not whiny.
Just sayin’.
I love me some Carlin. Thanks for including him in today’s strip.
Added in a little video just for you!
see, that’s why I’d never moon anyone … I’d fall out of the car. Yeah, even if it wasn’t a convertible. I find ways.
Hey, we use to fall out of cars when we weren’t mooning people. Drunks do that.
Don’t forget the 80′s duet with Clarence Clemons (Friend of Mine)!!!
Perfect choice for a video clip. The first time I saw this bit, I was incapacitated for at least ten minutes from laughing so hard. Carlin was stating the obvious, but in a way that was a complete surprise. Good call!
NEVER trust an old hippie doctor, it only leads to trouble!
Byron — rest in peace Carlin, you drew him really well!
so glad you use this song. my son (he is 3.5) loves it. sings it like crazy.
So this is the set up…