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Brain Droppings
With nearly 20 albums, two Grammys, two Cable ACE awards, and more HBO specials sunder his belt than anyone else, George Carlin is more popular than ever. Now, for the first time, Carlin has produced a book of original humor pieces, Brain Droppings. Filled with thoughts, musings, questions, lists, beliefs, curiousities, monologues, assertions, assumptions, and other verbal ordeals, Brain Droppings is infectiously funny. Also included are two timeless bonus items from the past, "A Place for Your Stuff" and "Baseball-Football." Readers will get an inside look into Carlin's mind, and they won't be disappointed by what they find: I buy stamps by mail. It works OK until I run out of stamps. What year did Jesus Christ think it was? A tree: first you chop it down, then you chop it up. Have you ever noticed the lawyer is always smiling more than the client? I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed. If you ever have chicken at lunch and chicken at dinner, do you ever wonder if the two chickens knew each other?
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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12964 people want to read
About the author
George Carlin
63 books2,956 followersGeorge Denis Patrick Carlin was a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, author and philosopher.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.
Carlin's mid-2000s stand-up routines focused on the flaws in modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
A disciple of Lenny Bruce, he placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Bruce and behind Richard Pryor. He was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 699 reviews
July 17, 2020
I was in my high school English class, when our instructor wanted us to choose a book to read, and afterwards, write the author with questions that came up during the reading. I chose "Brain Droppings" as I enjoyed George Carlin's stand-up routine and had seen him live before. The book was hilarious, as expected.
After reading, I wrote Mr. Carlin a series of questions as instructed. I did not hear back from him during the school year, which was fine, according to our teacher, and soon summer began. It was a random day in July that same year when I opened my mailbox, and I had a large envelope from "George Carlin Productions". Inside, I found a picture of George that was autographed as such, "Too many questions, George Carlin".
I cannot think of a more fitting response.
After reading, I wrote Mr. Carlin a series of questions as instructed. I did not hear back from him during the school year, which was fine, according to our teacher, and soon summer began. It was a random day in July that same year when I opened my mailbox, and I had a large envelope from "George Carlin Productions". Inside, I found a picture of George that was autographed as such, "Too many questions, George Carlin".
I cannot think of a more fitting response.
November 25, 2015
"My motto? "F**k hope". P.S. In case you're wondering, I'm a joyful individual [...] I'm a personal optimist, but a skeptic about all else"
Carlin efficiently kicks away all the crutches we use to justify the stupid things we live with.
Carlin efficiently kicks away all the crutches we use to justify the stupid things we live with.
August 30, 2009
A PLACE FOR YOUR STUFF:
Hi! How are ya? You got your stuff with you? I'll bet you do. Guys have stuff in their pockets; women have stuff in their purses. Of course, some women have pockets, and some guys have purses. That's okay. There's all different ways of carryin' your stuff.
Then there's all the stuff you have in your car. You got stuff in the trunk. Lotta different stuff: spare tire, jack, tools, old blanket, extra pair of sneakers. Just in case you wind up barefoot on the highway some night.
And you've got other stuff in your car. In the glove box. Stuff you might need in a hurry: flashlight, map, sunglasses, automatic weapon. You know. Just in case you wind up barefoot on the highway some night.
So stuff is important. You gotta take care of your stuff. You gotta have a place for your stuff. Everybody's gotta have a place for their stuff. That's what life is all about, tryin' to find a place for your stuff! That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time.
A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down and see all the little piles of stuff. Everybody's got his own little pile of stuff. And they lock it up! That's right! when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. 'Cause they always take the good stuff! They don't bother with that crap you're saving. Ain't nobody interested in your fourth-grade arithmetic papers. National Geographics, commemorative plates, your prize collection of Navajo underwear; they're not interested. They just want the good stuff; the shiny stuff; the electronic stuff.
So when you get right down to it, your house is nothing more than a place to keep your stuff . . . while you go out and get . . . more stuff. 'Cause that's what this country is all about. Tryin' to get more stuff. Stuff you don't want, stuff you don't need, stuff that's poorly made, stuff that's overpriced. Even stuff you can't afford! Gotta keep on gettin' more stuff. Otherwise someone else might wind up with more stuff. Can't let that happen. Gotta have the most stuff.
So you keep gettin' more and more stuff, and puttin' it in different places. In the closets, in the attic, in the basement, in the garage. And there might even be some stuff you left at your parents' house: baseball cards, comic books, photographs, souvenirs. Actually, your parents threw that stuff out long ago.
So now you got a houseful of stuff. And, even though you might like your house, you gotta move. Gotta get a bigger house. Why? Too much stuff! Or maybe, put some of your stuff in storage. Storage! Imagine that. There's a whole industry based on keepin' an eye on other people's stuff.
Or maybe you could sell some of your stuff. Have a yard sale, have a garage sale! Some people drive around all weekend just lookin' for garage sales. They don't have enough of their own stuff, they wanna buy other people's stuff.
Or you could take your stuff to the swap meet, the flea market, the rummage sale, or the auction. There's a lotta ways to get rid of stuff. You can even give your stuff away. The Salvation Army and Goodwill will actually come to your house and pick up your stuff and give it to people who don't have much stuff. It's part of what economists call the Redistribution of Stuff.
Ok, enough about your stuff. Let's talk about other people's stuff. Have you ever noticed when you visit someone else's house, you never quite feel at home? You know why? No room for your stuff! Somebody else's stuff is all over the place. And what crummy stuff it is! 'God! Where did they get this stuff?'
And you know how sometimes when you're visiting someone, you unexpectedly have to stay overnight? It gets real late, and you decide to stay over? So they put you in a bedroom they don't use too often . . . because Grandma died in it eleven years ago! And they haven't moved any of her stuff? Not even the vaporizer?
Or whatever room they put you in, there's usually a dresser or a nightstand, and there's never any room on it for your stuff. Someone else's shit is on the dresser! Have you noticed that their stuff is shit, and your shit is stuff? 'Get this shit off of here, so I can put my stuff down!' Crap is also a form of stuff. Crap is the stuff that belongs to the person you just broke up with. 'When are you comin' over here to pick up the rest of your crap?'
Now, let's talk about traveling. Sometimes you go on vacation, and you gotta take some of your stuff. Mostly stuff to wear. But which stuff should you take? Can't take all your stuff. Just the stuff you really like; the stuff that fits you well that month. In effect, on vacation, you take a smaller, 'second version' of your stuff.
Let's say you go to Honolulu for two weeks. You gotta take two big suitcases of stuff. Two weeks, two big suitcases. That's the stuff you check onto the plane. But you also got your carry-on stuff, plus the stuff you bought in the airport. So now you're all set to go. You got stuff in the overhead rack, stuff under the seat, stuff in the seat pocket, and stuff in your lap. And let's not forget the stuff you're gonna steal from the airline: silverware, soap, blanket, toilet paper, salt and pepper shakers. Too bad those headseats won't work at home.
And so you fly to Honolulu, and you claim your stuff--if the airline didn't drop it in the ocean--and you go to the hotel, and the first thing you do is put away your stuff. There's lots of places in a hotel to put your stuff.
'I'll put some stuff in here, you put some stuff in there. Hey, don't put your stuff in there! That's my stuff! Here's another place! Put some stuff in here. And there's another place! Hey, you know what? We've got more places than we've got stuff! We're gonna hafta go out and buy . . . more stuff!!!'
Finally you put away all your stuff, but you don't quite feel at ease, because you're a long way from home. Still, you sense that you must be OK, because you do have some of your stuff with you. And so you relax in Honolulu on that basis. That's when your friend from Maui calls and says, 'Hey, why don't you come over to Maui for the weekend and spend a couple of nights over here?'
Oh no! Now whaddya bring? Can't bring all this stuff. You gotta bring an even smaller version of your stuff. Just enough stuff for a weekend on Maui. The 'third version' of your stuff.
And, as you're flyin' over to Maui, you realize that you're really spread out now: You've got stuff all over the world!! Stuff at home, stuff in the garage, stuff at your parents' house (maybe), stuff in storage, stuff in Honolulu, and stuff on the plane. Supply lines are getting longer and harder to maintain!
Finally you get to your friends' place on Maui, and they give you a little room to sleep in, and there's a nightstand. Not much room on it for your stuff, but it's OK because you don't have much stuff now. You got your 8 x 10 autographed picture of Drew Carey, a large can of gorgonzola-flavored Cheez Whiz, a small, unopened packet of brown confetti, a relief map of Corsica, and a family-size jar of peppermint-flavored, petrified egg whites. And you know that even though you're a long way from home, you must be OK because you do have a good supply of peppermint-flavored petrified egg whites. And so you begin to relax in Maui on that basis. That's when your friend says, 'Hey, I think tonight we'll go over to the other side of the island and visit my sister. Maybe spend the night over there.'
Oh no! Now whaddya bring? Right! You gotta bring an even smaller version. The 'fourth version' of your stuff. Just the stuff you know you're gonna need: Money, keys, comb, wallet, lighter, hankie, pen, cigarettes, contraceptives, Vaseline, whips, chains, whistles, dildos, and a book. Just the stuff you hope you're gonna need. Actually, your friend's sister probably has her own dildos.
By the way, if you go to the beach while you're visiting the sister, you're gonna have to bring--that's right--an even smaller version of your stuff: the 'fifth version.' Cigarettes and wallet. That's it. You can always borrow someone's suntan lotion. And then suppose, while you're there on the beach, you decide to walk over to the refreshment stand to get a hot dog? That's right, my friend! Number six! The most important version of your stuff: your wallet! Your wallet contains the only stuff you really can't do without.
Well, by the time you get home you're pretty fed up with your stuff and all the problems it creates. And so about a week later, you clean out the closet, the attic, the basement, the garage, the storage locker, and all the other places you keep your stuff, and you get things down to manageable proportions. Just the right amount of stuff to lead a simple and uncomplicated life. And that's when the phone rings. It's your lawyer. It seems your aunt has died . . . and left you all her stuff. Oh no! Now whaddya do? Right. You do the only thing you can do. The honorable thing. You tell your lawyer to stuff it.
November 24, 2019
I liked this book much better than Napalm & Silly Putty. George was not nearly so irritated and crass here. Of course irritated crassness is part of George's personality, but this book did not make me as uncomfortable as the other one did.
There were a few poetic gems hidden in these pages, such as this:
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music."
And some giggle inducers, such as this:
"You can lead a gift horse to water in the middle of the stream, but you can't look him in the mouth and make him drink."
Of course, George being George, there is a lot of cursing here, and very little political correctness. If you can't handle that Carlin is not a good choice for you.
There were a few poetic gems hidden in these pages, such as this:
"Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music."
And some giggle inducers, such as this:
"You can lead a gift horse to water in the middle of the stream, but you can't look him in the mouth and make him drink."
Of course, George being George, there is a lot of cursing here, and very little political correctness. If you can't handle that Carlin is not a good choice for you.
February 15, 2020
Ever since I first “discovered” him, I’ve been a big fan of George Carlin. I quite simply appreciate and thoroughly enjoy his brand of humour. This book, first published 23 years ago, has as much relevance today as it did then. And it is brilliant comedy.
April 3, 2017
This is fun to dip in and out of but I just feel like George Carlin is funnier when you actually listen to him/watch him. This doesn't capture his wit very well.
February 13, 2018
“No matter how you care to define it, I do not identify with the local group. Planet, species, race, nation, state, religion, party, union, club, association, neighborhood improvement committee; I have no interest in any of it. I love and treasure individuals as I meet them, I loathe and despise the groups they identify with and belong to.”
Reread this via audio while doing mountains of laundry earlier. I read it in print a few years ago, but UNsurprisingly, the audio is better. I miss George Carlin.
Reread this via audio while doing mountains of laundry earlier. I read it in print a few years ago, but UNsurprisingly, the audio is better. I miss George Carlin.
November 29, 2017
George Carlin is one of my favorite comedians who made grumpy cynical 60 year olds cool. So when i took this book, i was looking forward to a lot of laughs that makes me think. I had quite not taken into account how much his delivery played a role! So, the book in effect looked like George Carlin's twitter account with brainy one liners that were more a 'yeah-funny' than laugh out loud.
The book has 3 types of themes - one based on language and word play which is joke book material. The other is a rant on state of affairs/human ineptitude - which without modulation sounds like a rant.The third is scenario based imagination - which draws the laughs. There is one chapter on how early men started a ritual of human sacrifice which was ingenious.
The book might have worked ages ago in the non internet era. Maybe we have become immune to wit and demand more. Maybe, there doesnt exist a humour book within a standup comedian. But this book was just ok.
Sample
"It turned out I was pretty good in science. But again, because of the small budget, in science class we couldn't afford to do experiments in order to prove theories. We just believed everything. Actually, I think that class was called Religion. Religion class was always an easy class. All you had to do was suspend the logic and reasoning you were being taught in all the other classes.”
"Regarding the fitness craze: America has lost its soul; now it's trying to save its body.”
“Do you know why hurricanes have names instead of numbers? To keep the killing personal. No one cares about a bunch of people killed by a number. '200 Dead as Number Three Slams Ashore' is not nearly as interesting a headline as 'Charlie kills 200.' Death is much more satisfying and entertaining if you personalize it."
See what i mean?
The book has 3 types of themes - one based on language and word play which is joke book material. The other is a rant on state of affairs/human ineptitude - which without modulation sounds like a rant.The third is scenario based imagination - which draws the laughs. There is one chapter on how early men started a ritual of human sacrifice which was ingenious.
The book might have worked ages ago in the non internet era. Maybe we have become immune to wit and demand more. Maybe, there doesnt exist a humour book within a standup comedian. But this book was just ok.
Sample
"It turned out I was pretty good in science. But again, because of the small budget, in science class we couldn't afford to do experiments in order to prove theories. We just believed everything. Actually, I think that class was called Religion. Religion class was always an easy class. All you had to do was suspend the logic and reasoning you were being taught in all the other classes.”
"Regarding the fitness craze: America has lost its soul; now it's trying to save its body.”
“Do you know why hurricanes have names instead of numbers? To keep the killing personal. No one cares about a bunch of people killed by a number. '200 Dead as Number Three Slams Ashore' is not nearly as interesting a headline as 'Charlie kills 200.' Death is much more satisfying and entertaining if you personalize it."
See what i mean?
October 23, 2014
I'm listened to the audio book edition, read by Carlin himself. Since so much of his humor relies on the delivery, I think this was the best way to appreciate it. I am going to try to read his book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? & I'll see how that goes.
The book is really just a bunch of his regular comedic material. His lists of things that piss him off, him tearing apart various sayings or making fun of people. It was good to listen to at the end of a frustrating day.
He had me laughing out loud as I flew down the highway toward home. Not sure what the other drivers thought about that. Probably thought I was crazy - maybe that's why the drive seemed to fly by. Well, if they can't take a joke...
The book is really just a bunch of his regular comedic material. His lists of things that piss him off, him tearing apart various sayings or making fun of people. It was good to listen to at the end of a frustrating day.
He had me laughing out loud as I flew down the highway toward home. Not sure what the other drivers thought about that. Probably thought I was crazy - maybe that's why the drive seemed to fly by. Well, if they can't take a joke...
December 3, 2021
Ļoti patīk Džordžs Karlins. Protams, daudz foršāk ir viņa monologus klausīties, nevis lasīt. Viņš patiesi bija filozofs ar melnu humora izjūtu. Gribētu gan dzirdēt, kas viņam būtu bijis sakāms par šobrīd pasaulē notiekošo.
February 9, 2024
George Carlin's stand-ups are bright, honest and raw. Who doesn't remember the classic bit of "A place for my stuff"? His rants against society and stupidity? That's George Carlin, ladies and gentlemen!
Political correctness, who needs it?
"I don't like euphemisms. Euphemisms are a form of lying. Fat people are not gravitationally
disadvantaged. They're fat. I prefer seeing things the way they are, not the way some people wish they were."
I can relate to this:
"You've never been to your friend's place of work, but you've pictured it. Then he changes jobs, but it's a similar job. Do you bother to change your mental picture of where he works? By how much? Or your friend works at one Wendy's and gets transferred to a different Wendy's. Do you picture a whole new Wendy's? Or do you get lazy and say, "They're all pretty much the same, so I'll just go with the old one."
Pun intended...
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER.
Not always. Sometimes one thing leads to the same thing. Ask an addict.
THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
NO. Those were the nights! Think back. Weren't the nights better? Days
you had to work. Nights you went to parties, danced, drank, got laid.
"Those were the nights!"
Carlin had his way to describe the American pop-culture:
"America has no now. We're reluctant to acknowledge the present. It's too embarrassing. Instead, we reach into the past. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, re-releases, recreations, reenactments, adaptations, anniversaries, memorabilia, oldies radio, and nostalgia record collections. World War II has been refought on television so many times, the Germans and Japanese are now drawing residuals. Of course, being essentially full of shit, we sometimes feel the need to dress up this past-preoccupation, as with pathetic references to reruns as "encore presentations."
"Brain droppings" manages to deliver an impressive collection of Carlin's bits. His comedic voice of reason is unparalleled and filled with irreverent humour and sarcasm.
Highly recommended!
Political correctness, who needs it?
"I don't like euphemisms. Euphemisms are a form of lying. Fat people are not gravitationally
disadvantaged. They're fat. I prefer seeing things the way they are, not the way some people wish they were."
I can relate to this:
"You've never been to your friend's place of work, but you've pictured it. Then he changes jobs, but it's a similar job. Do you bother to change your mental picture of where he works? By how much? Or your friend works at one Wendy's and gets transferred to a different Wendy's. Do you picture a whole new Wendy's? Or do you get lazy and say, "They're all pretty much the same, so I'll just go with the old one."
Pun intended...
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER.
Not always. Sometimes one thing leads to the same thing. Ask an addict.
THOSE WERE THE DAYS.
NO. Those were the nights! Think back. Weren't the nights better? Days
you had to work. Nights you went to parties, danced, drank, got laid.
"Those were the nights!"
Carlin had his way to describe the American pop-culture:
"America has no now. We're reluctant to acknowledge the present. It's too embarrassing. Instead, we reach into the past. Our culture is composed of sequels, reruns, remakes, revivals, reissues, re-releases, recreations, reenactments, adaptations, anniversaries, memorabilia, oldies radio, and nostalgia record collections. World War II has been refought on television so many times, the Germans and Japanese are now drawing residuals. Of course, being essentially full of shit, we sometimes feel the need to dress up this past-preoccupation, as with pathetic references to reruns as "encore presentations."
"Brain droppings" manages to deliver an impressive collection of Carlin's bits. His comedic voice of reason is unparalleled and filled with irreverent humour and sarcasm.
Highly recommended!
July 16, 2010
Recycled gold. In 2008 George Carlin faced something he rarely faced in his stand-up comedy career – dying. Put simply Carlin was, to borrow Muhammad Ali’s phrase, the greatest of all time. No other stand-up comic was able to elicit laughs from audience across six decades or was as much a master of the full range of stand-up comedy types. Carlin did observational humor better than Seinfeld, shock humor better than the equally deceased Sam Kinison, ranting topical humor better than the now Republican Dennis Miller, deep philosophical humor better than the now creepy Woody Allen and outrage humor better than the also dead Bill Hicks.
”Brain Droppings” is little more than a random collection of bits largely taken from Carlin’s most popular comedy album ”A Place for My Stuff” without narrative arc, segue ways, or even a framework on which to hang them. As with all Carlin’s material some of it is genius, particularly when he focuses on the absurdities of the English language, and some of it stupid both intentionally and unintentionally.
Much of Carlin’s stuff is timeless because he mixes in liberal doses of philosophical musings with the trivia of day to day life. The book is an excellent primer but you would be better and very well-served to listen to the direct source material – his 20 or so albums (listen to the 70s stuff as well, it is just as funny now))
February 17, 2010
Okay, I think I should write more because honestly, when am I going to write about Carlin again? I don't think that many colleges accept dissertations on comedians but hey, if they do, I have a kick ass one in the works.
So I don't really remember the first time I heard George Carlin's stand-up, some time looooong ago, but the earliest I recall is when my dad got a double-cd collection of his stand-up and put it on when we went to the drive-in theater (who still does that?). I was in the back of the car with my best friend and I was laughing uncontrollably about the uses of Julia Robert's mouth and why the hell women like to take showers together. There's a lot to be said for his comedy, a large part being delivery, but it is also how and what he chooses to talk about. Luckily, he translated all of these things to words in his book (both of 'em actually). Somehow the Carlinesq delivery was still there, and if you remember how he rapid-fired some sections of jokes you could literally read some of them in his books the same way. He was still sarcastic, he was still funny as hell, and he talked about all of the things that made me smirk.
The first joke I remember really getting attached to, "Hey fadda, if the lord can do anything, could he create a boulder so heavy that even he couldn't lift it? BAHAHAHAHA" It was an attitude of mocking authority and respected norms that got me most. It was how he mocked them. It was everything.
I've heard comedians that have made me laugh as much as Carlin, but not in the same scope. His library of jokes and material is so consistently amazing that he is really unparalleled. He sticks to his guns, he says what he wants, and he has such a F*** you attitude that you can't not love him.
So I don't really remember the first time I heard George Carlin's stand-up, some time looooong ago, but the earliest I recall is when my dad got a double-cd collection of his stand-up and put it on when we went to the drive-in theater (who still does that?). I was in the back of the car with my best friend and I was laughing uncontrollably about the uses of Julia Robert's mouth and why the hell women like to take showers together. There's a lot to be said for his comedy, a large part being delivery, but it is also how and what he chooses to talk about. Luckily, he translated all of these things to words in his book (both of 'em actually). Somehow the Carlinesq delivery was still there, and if you remember how he rapid-fired some sections of jokes you could literally read some of them in his books the same way. He was still sarcastic, he was still funny as hell, and he talked about all of the things that made me smirk.
The first joke I remember really getting attached to, "Hey fadda, if the lord can do anything, could he create a boulder so heavy that even he couldn't lift it? BAHAHAHAHA" It was an attitude of mocking authority and respected norms that got me most. It was how he mocked them. It was everything.
I've heard comedians that have made me laugh as much as Carlin, but not in the same scope. His library of jokes and material is so consistently amazing that he is really unparalleled. He sticks to his guns, he says what he wants, and he has such a F*** you attitude that you can't not love him.
October 6, 2015
Absolutely hilarious!! I was a big fan of George Carlin and his somewhat sarcastic humor for years so when I saw this book I couldn't resist picking it up. Definitely the George I remember and made me miss him all the more. I just couldn't stop laughing for a lot of this. My favorite part was probably the rant about "stuff", so so true. I have too much stuff, I continue to collect stuff, I've wished I had a bigger house for my stuff, I've gone on vacation bringing too much stuff and then buying even more stuff... Talk about rolling on the floor laughing, of course it's done so much better from George himself though. Highly recommend picking this one up for a good laugh but if you are unfamiliar with his comedy be warned he can be a bit vulgar if that would offend you.
August 1, 2013
I think that the late George Carlin was probably one of the funniest men who ever graced the entertainment industry. This book is typical Carlin.......irreverant, sometimes profane, clever as hell, and an inducer of belly laughs. It is made up of little vignettes and one liners which will make you pass milk through your nose if your are unlucky enough to be drinking it at the time you are reading. He could take a common situation and turn it into a psychedelic experience. We lost a great talent when he passed.......thank heavens he put down some of his best material in writing for our amusement.
March 2, 2008
As with all of Carlin's stuff, some of this is hilarious, and some of it is just so-so. I happen to really like him because he says exactly what he thinks, and he ponders things most of us never consider. And he's not afraid of offending anyone. I myself have been on occasion offended by some of his stuff, but I still like him anyway.
My favorite sections in all of his books are the Short Takes. That's where I get the best laffs!
My favorite sections in all of his books are the Short Takes. That's where I get the best laffs!
December 25, 2022
معمولا با استندآپ هاش خیلی ها آشنایی دارن ولی به کتاب هاش کمتر توجه شده
نسخه صوتی این کتاب با صدای خود جورج رو از یوتیوب پیدا کنید
پیشنهاد میکنم سخنرانیش در نشست ملی خبرنگاران رو هم گوش بدید george carlin national press club حدود یک ساعت هست
نسخه صوتی این کتاب با صدای خود جورج رو از یوتیوب پیدا کنید
پیشنهاد میکنم سخنرانیش در نشست ملی خبرنگاران رو هم گوش بدید george carlin national press club حدود یک ساعت هست
March 22, 2024
I forgot how crude and angry this guy was.
December 19, 2008
This book induced absolutely hysterical laughing fits, so much that the other people in my house would come to check on me and make sure I was alright, only to have my hilarity spread to them without even hearing more than one or two words, which was all I could get out before cracking up again.
My husband and I saw Carlin do stand-up about 5 years ago, and he was great, but this book is AWESOME!!! If you like Carlin, read it.
My husband and I saw Carlin do stand-up about 5 years ago, and he was great, but this book is AWESOME!!! If you like Carlin, read it.
March 12, 2023
This was the first book I'm listening to in my new quest to be amused and not just intrigued, shocked or deeply disturbed by my reading. I'll continue to read serious books, classics and many other genres in between, but sometimes my mind needs a little break from the dramatic or dreadful; it wishes to be amused. I've yet to find the comedian or comedic author who comes close to all the guffawing I was doing in 2021 during my year of David Sedaris. He is, imho, the pinnacle of funniness with a dash of poignancy and gross!
One of the fabulous aspects of "Brain Droppings" is that George Carlin delivers it himself. His timing is immaculate and he is the master of word play including puns, oxymorons, irony and general critique of our ridiculous use of language. For example, he feels we should "eliminate anyone who has a 'can-do' attitude or is referred to as 'take charge', 'all business' or 'no nonsense'." He suggests we "have these people sedated."
I wasn't quite falling down laughing as I did with Sedaris. Nonetheless, there was some distinct tee heeing and tittering going on every so often! Apparently, I'm no longer the prude I used to be because all of the f word usage and sexual innuendo did not bother me. There is certainly a bit of politically incorrect content and language here, but where in comedy can you find anything without it especially when the routines are from some time back.
Altogether, a pleasantly amusing time was had, so I can certainly recommend this work to people looking to take themselves and each other a little less seriously!
One of the fabulous aspects of "Brain Droppings" is that George Carlin delivers it himself. His timing is immaculate and he is the master of word play including puns, oxymorons, irony and general critique of our ridiculous use of language. For example, he feels we should "eliminate anyone who has a 'can-do' attitude or is referred to as 'take charge', 'all business' or 'no nonsense'." He suggests we "have these people sedated."
I wasn't quite falling down laughing as I did with Sedaris. Nonetheless, there was some distinct tee heeing and tittering going on every so often! Apparently, I'm no longer the prude I used to be because all of the f word usage and sexual innuendo did not bother me. There is certainly a bit of politically incorrect content and language here, but where in comedy can you find anything without it especially when the routines are from some time back.
Altogether, a pleasantly amusing time was had, so I can certainly recommend this work to people looking to take themselves and each other a little less seriously!
August 5, 2011
I like Carlin, I really do. But this book was a big disappointment. There are some small essays that are really good, despite often being not originally new material, things you've heard him say before. They're still fun. But most of the rest is comprised of one-liners, lists of words, list of fictional book-titles, sometimes an eyebrow is raised, sometimes a smile is just around the corner, but the book isn't as good as it is made to be. Maybe I had entirely wrong ideas what the book would be, and certainly, I didn't picture it to be this. Despite of all that, I worked my way through it, telling myself it would get better. Unfortunately, it didn't.
December 30, 2019
Brain Droppings is a collection of materials that George Carlin used for his stand-up comedy. Filled with hilarious, thought-provoking, and sometimes silly ideas and stories, this book is perfect to read after a long day at work or school. My favorite part was the story of a tribe leader first introduced Ritual Human Sacrifice; it was a totally new and hilarious piece of writing.
I highly recommend the audiobook version read by the author himself if you want a full Carlin Impact.
I highly recommend the audiobook version read by the author himself if you want a full Carlin Impact.
September 11, 2021
Really two and a half stars. Some funny bits, some stuff (particularly his lists) I just skipped over. I think his humor is best in small doses, and it's better to listen to/see performed than just read in book form.
November 19, 2018
Not my idea of funny. If you like sarcastic, mean and irreverent humor you might enjoy this. I didn't. The first 25 pages or so I would snicker at and hope it would get better. The next 125 I tried to "get" his humor. Lots of word play and puns. Still not my style and I wasn't snickering to myself anymore. I was waiting to find something to laugh at. From page 150 or so until the end of the book I was skimming though long stretches. Probably the most interesting part was Carlin poking fun at his life from childhood to the present. It was near the end of the book and frankly he had lost me by that point. Usually I put down a book that I'm not enjoying but I had heard such good things about this one and I wanted to give it every chance I could. It honestly was a chore to read this and I could only swallow it in small bites- hence the two months it took to read it. I bought the book at a used book store and that's where it'll return to. Not one I'm keeping.
Bottom line is that just like his stand up acts he starts with a bang and I slowly lost interest.
Bottom line is that just like his stand up acts he starts with a bang and I slowly lost interest.
October 10, 2019
"They say if you outlaw guns, only outlaws and criminals will have guns. Well, shit, those are precisely the people who need them."
Note to myself: Never again read a collection of George Carlin's musing on the trolley, when commuting to work! The trolley was quite crowded, only one available seat which I took, my co-passengers cramped and then I started exploding with laughter. I did everything to contain myself: to no avail! Poor people around me were stiff with fear of this giggling maniac in their midst.
Not everybody will like Mr. Carlin's humor: dark, cynical, deeply disappointed with the human species. George Carlin, famous for his "seven dirty words" routine, is one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time. Extremely opinionated and ruthless in his criticisms of all manifestations of human stupidity, hypocrisy, and evil:
Mr. Carlin is merciless particularly about us, the "Americans":
The reader will find some bittersweet humor, slightly tinged with melancholy, like in:
George Carlin's Brain Droppings (1997) is the third most hilarious book I have read in my life (after Wstep do imagineskopii (not translated from Polish to English, and most likely untranslatable) and The Third Policeman . I am rounding the rating up. Yay!
Four-and-a-half stars.
Note to myself: Never again read a collection of George Carlin's musing on the trolley, when commuting to work! The trolley was quite crowded, only one available seat which I took, my co-passengers cramped and then I started exploding with laughter. I did everything to contain myself: to no avail! Poor people around me were stiff with fear of this giggling maniac in their midst.
Not everybody will like Mr. Carlin's humor: dark, cynical, deeply disappointed with the human species. George Carlin, famous for his "seven dirty words" routine, is one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time. Extremely opinionated and ruthless in his criticisms of all manifestations of human stupidity, hypocrisy, and evil:
"This species is a dear, hateful, sweet, barbaric, tender, vile, intelligent, confused, virtuous, evil, thoughtful, perverted, generous, greedy species. In short, great entertainment."I am also opinionated and my opinions coincide with his in almost every aspect of his criticism of the human race. I am just thousand times less funny than he is and also I do not have the courage to express my opinions out loud. Take the epigraph quote about guns: why would any normal, average person need a gun? How would I ever use a gun in my life? I believe that only outlaws and criminals really need guns. I am certainly for outlawing guns for regular people.
Mr. Carlin is merciless particularly about us, the "Americans":
Traditional American values: Genocide, aggression, conformity, emotional repression, hypocrisy, and the worship of comfort and consumer goods."Also:
"The keys to America: the cross, the brew, the dollar, and the gun."In addition to making bitter fun of people's fascination with violence, religion, sports, television, etc. the main target of Mr. Carlin's hard-hitting satire is the language. First, he attacks the various language inconsistencies, clichés, oxymorons, and redundancies, like in
"Unique needs no modifier. Very unique, quite unique, more unique, real unique, fairly unique and extremely unique are wrong, and they mark you as dumb. Although certainly not unique."But it is the critique of euphemisms ("I don't like euphemisms. Euphemisms are a form of lying." Precisely!) and politically correct speech that is the most devastating. I do not have the courage to quote Mr. Carlin's musings in this area. But I certainly agree with him.
The reader will find some bittersweet humor, slightly tinged with melancholy, like in:
"There's an odd feeling you get when someone on the sidewalk moves slightly to avoid walking into you. It proves you exist. Your mere existence caused them to alter their path. It's a nice feeling. After you die, no one has to get out of your way anymore."and also completely silly yet unbelievably hilarious quotes like
"One time, a few years ago, Oprah had a show about women who fake orgasms. Not to be outdone, Geraldo came right back with a show about men who fake bowel movements."The reader will also find the famous monologue about "stuff" in its entirety.
George Carlin's Brain Droppings (1997) is the third most hilarious book I have read in my life (after Wstep do imagineskopii (not translated from Polish to English, and most likely untranslatable) and The Third Policeman . I am rounding the rating up. Yay!
Four-and-a-half stars.
July 28, 2008
My roomates had this book back in 2001. I read a few pages in the middle, including the part about the very strange phoneomenon known as sleeping, and ever since then, I always wanted to get it from the library and read the whole thing.
Well, finally, I DID! I liked it ... I got a kick out of George Carlin's in your face, irreverent style of humor. I laughed out loud in lots of parts and was bored but dutifully reading on in other parts ... pretty much what I expected from a 258-page version of a stand-up comic's routine. I hadn't ever seen any of George Carlin's comedy live or on TV, so my boyfriend made me watch some youtube videos of GC doing his thing. Similar to my experience reading the book, I got quite a few chuckles but felt I was spending a lot of time staring at the computer screen waiting for GC to say something funny. But with the book, I could speed through the dull parts and re-read the funny parts, etc. So ... the strange thing was, I actually preferred the book!
Something special to note was the section on Animal Instincts (starting in page 236). George Carlin lashes out against circuses, the running of the bulls, scientific experiments on animals, zoos, "the whole beef-rancher-manure-cattle-hamburger side show," etc etc. GOOD FOR HIM!!!! It's refreshing to find an intelligent and truly compassionate person in show business!
Well, finally, I DID! I liked it ... I got a kick out of George Carlin's in your face, irreverent style of humor. I laughed out loud in lots of parts and was bored but dutifully reading on in other parts ... pretty much what I expected from a 258-page version of a stand-up comic's routine. I hadn't ever seen any of George Carlin's comedy live or on TV, so my boyfriend made me watch some youtube videos of GC doing his thing. Similar to my experience reading the book, I got quite a few chuckles but felt I was spending a lot of time staring at the computer screen waiting for GC to say something funny. But with the book, I could speed through the dull parts and re-read the funny parts, etc. So ... the strange thing was, I actually preferred the book!
Something special to note was the section on Animal Instincts (starting in page 236). George Carlin lashes out against circuses, the running of the bulls, scientific experiments on animals, zoos, "the whole beef-rancher-manure-cattle-hamburger side show," etc etc. GOOD FOR HIM!!!! It's refreshing to find an intelligent and truly compassionate person in show business!
July 12, 2010
This book proves, to me anyway, that there is something to be said for editorial selection. When Carlin (a hero of mine, btw) was on stage, he -- like all comics -- had to pare it down the essentials: the tried-and-true tested stuff that he knew would get the laughs. His routines were honed gemlike and glittering with gems. No filler, no fat, no "brain droppings," as it were.
There are a million laughs and "ah ha! touche'" moments in this book, almost literally, but there are a lot of groaners and not a few things that are embarrassing to have been set to paper and published for millions to see. What I like about this is that we get to see the mind of a great comic at work in the initial "thinking out loud" stage -- throwing every idea at us, as though he had written down on little scraps of paper and then compiled every good and not-so-good half-baked idea he'd ever birthed. What I don't like about this is, well, the very same thing.
I know, before you say it, I realize the book is called Brain Droppings.
It's probably weird that, if this were half as long and subjected to the same rigor he gave to his standup material, I would probably have given this four stars. But who knows? This is a good light summer read before I gear up for heavier lifting.
There are a million laughs and "ah ha! touche'" moments in this book, almost literally, but there are a lot of groaners and not a few things that are embarrassing to have been set to paper and published for millions to see. What I like about this is that we get to see the mind of a great comic at work in the initial "thinking out loud" stage -- throwing every idea at us, as though he had written down on little scraps of paper and then compiled every good and not-so-good half-baked idea he'd ever birthed. What I don't like about this is, well, the very same thing.
I know, before you say it, I realize the book is called Brain Droppings.
It's probably weird that, if this were half as long and subjected to the same rigor he gave to his standup material, I would probably have given this four stars. But who knows? This is a good light summer read before I gear up for heavier lifting.
December 27, 2009
Carlin was a master of words, which is his blessing and curse. It's impossible to imagine comedians such as Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright existing without Carlin's example. Brain Droppings is a "greatest hits" of classic observations, such as "The Difference Between Baseball and and Football" and "A Place for My Stuff." But it also is an endless list of oxymorons, tricky wordplay and quirks of language that are hilarious in small doses, but can get tedious when confronted by dozens in one sitting.
Still, this is my kind of humor: smart, insightful and witty. The fact that Carlin uses such foul language in between the jokes is kind of off-putting; such language generally doesn't bother me, but it's odd to hear him rant about precision and accuracy in language and then wield profanity like a blunt object at the end of every sentence.
Still, this is my kind of humor: smart, insightful and witty. The fact that Carlin uses such foul language in between the jokes is kind of off-putting; such language generally doesn't bother me, but it's odd to hear him rant about precision and accuracy in language and then wield profanity like a blunt object at the end of every sentence.
October 24, 2011
Huge fan of George Carlin's stand-up comedy; in fact, he's in my top three. But Brain Droppings was a letdown, of sorts. The ideas and witticisms presented by Carlin were too inconsistent, meaning there were far more "sighs" than laugh-out-loud moments. Having read the book more than a decade after its release may have played into this as well, considering many of the references are quite dated (pagers, fax machines, Dukakis, etc.)
If you're a die-hard Carlin fan and must consume everything he ever published, go ahead and read it. But for those who simply enjoyed what he accomplished as a comic, be content to let his polished barbarisms and command of the English language be relegated to a microphone and a stage.
If you're a die-hard Carlin fan and must consume everything he ever published, go ahead and read it. But for those who simply enjoyed what he accomplished as a comic, be content to let his polished barbarisms and command of the English language be relegated to a microphone and a stage.
September 10, 2017
Sir George Cardin gets an incredible ability of observating things. I laughed out loud a lot while reading this book, but some parts were quite hard to grasp his jokes, tho. These jokes might be a little rough, dark for some and yet despite his bitterly violent humor, bet that one still found some interesting points of view which worth to think.
So, why dont you do yourself a favor and read this funny nonsense one 😉
So, why dont you do yourself a favor and read this funny nonsense one 😉
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