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In my previous blog, I talked about how Gilbert Gottfried demonstrates to neurodivergent individuals the importance of what happens when we walk a fine line between making a joke about something inappropriate and upsetting others.
Now, I want to switch gears and talk about another comedian that is similar to Gilbert Gottfried in terms of providing inappropriate jokes that upsetted others. That comedian is the late George Carlin.
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Much like Gilbert Gottfried, I also grew up with George Carlin when he was the American narrator of “Thomas the Tank Engine” in the late 80’s and early 90’s as well as starring as Mr. Conductor on “Shining Time Station” that aired on PBS. At that time, I didn’t know that he was a raunchy comedian with a dirty sense of humor and it wasn’t until later in life did I start to get a sense of his true profession.
Looking into George’s peformances, I wanted to zero in on one particular routine that is so infamous that I am not going to dare repeat the joke in this blog. That performance is the “Seven Dirty Words” comedy routine. Now, you might ask yourself why focus on this one routine? Why is this routine popular amongst neurodivergent individuals with a dirty sense of humor that will be upsetting to others?
Well, the “Seven Dirty Words” routine involving seven words that offended so many people when George first performed it that he ended up in prison for a short time because it was inappropriate. The fact of the matter is that neurodivergent individuals, much like I covered in the previous blog, want to use jokes as a way to socialize and build connections in society.
But, much like with Gilbert Gottfried, George Carlin’s routines are often the most popular amongst individuals who want to repeat the same routine during inappropriate times such as in school, work or family related events. I mean, think about it, there have been plenty of children’s cartoons that introduced what happens when characters swear vulgar language and they take that into the outside world.
I mean, as I am writing this blog, I am sitting here in my neighborhood Starbucks and I look out amongst the store and often wonder to myself, what if there was a neurodivergent or developmentally different employee or customer that is performing one of George Carlin’s routines because they feel it’s their right or they have nothing else better to do? Nobody wants to hear those words let alone George Carlin’s routine that landed him in jail?
Educators and Employers certainly don’t want to hear employees or students recite George Carlin because it’s bad for them and bad for the individual saying it. I mean, it wasn’t until I was in late middle school and high school that I started hearing those seven deadly words. Nowadays, those words are being said amongst all levels of education and the problem is that access to the internet on websites like YouTube are giving neurodivergent individuals access to those comedy routines.
Much like with Gilbert Gottfried’s work, it’s a good idea to sit down with neurodivergent children (at the appropriate age) and adults and watch the routines together and then explain to them that there are fine lines to cross in terms of whether it’s okay to recite George Carlin and when it’s not okay such as at school, the workplace or family functions like weddings, funerals or parties.
Most people often viewed George Carlin as a vulgar comedian and while that is true, I tend to remember him more for his work on “Thomas the Tank Engine” and always will be.
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Catch you all later!!
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