[Deathwatch] George Carlin, counterculture comedian, 71

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Award-winning comedian George Carlin dies
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/06/23/carlin.obit.ap/index.html

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- A publicist for George Carlin says the
legendary comedian has died of heart failure at a hospital in Santa
Monica, Calif.

Jeff Abraham says Carlin went into St. John's Health Center on Sunday
afternoon, complaining of chest pain. Carlin died at 5:55 p.m. PDT. He
was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, performed as recently as
last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. It was
announced Tuesday that Carlin was being awarded the 11th annual Mark
Twain Prize for American Humor.

The dean of counterculture comedians, Carlin constantly pushed the
envelop with his jokes, particularly with a routine called "The Seven
Words You Can Never Say On TV."

When Carlin uttered all seven at a show in Milwaukee in 1972, he was
arrested for disturbing the peace. And when they were played on a New
York radio station, they resulted in a Supreme Court ruling in 1978
upholding the government's authority to sanction stations for
broadcasting offensive language. 

Many thanks to TheLenGuy for posting this obituary