Did You Know...

In the mid 1960's Carlin began to build his fan base by appearing on variety programs. He delivered soon-to-be classic routines about Al Sleet, the Hippie-Dippie weatherman, crack-brained deejays and Indian War Parties. The exposure and quick taste of celebrity landed Carlin's role as a regular on 'Away We Go,' the 1967 summer replacement for the Jackie Gleason Show.

George Carlin remained popular but soon grew bored with the same routines show after show. He began to rebel against conservatism with his physical appearance. Before the 1960's transformed into the 1970's, Carlin had lost several jobs by dressing like a hippie, complete with earrings and a beard. Before long the change of public taste caught up with the times and George was a hot item again.

One of his more popular routines was one that he was never allowed to deliver on air. 'The Seven Words You Can't Use On Television' was the sole piece of material both deified him with his fans and vilified him with the conservative element. An FM radio station nearly had their license taken away for playing the 'Seven Words' routine on air. At the same time Carlin was arrested during an appearance in Milwaukee for violating obscenity laws. This event served as Carlin's link to the youth culture of the era and landed him the first ever guest appearance on Saturday Night Live.