George Carlin's American Dream
George Carlin’s American Dream is a 2022 two-part documentary film about comedian George Carlin directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio.[1][2][3]
| George Carlin's American Dream | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Directed by | Judd Apatow Michael Bonfiglio |
| Starring | George Carlin Patrick Carlin Jr. Kelly Carlin |
| Music by | Jeff Morrow |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Teddy Leifer Judd Apatow Michael Bonfiglio Jerry Hamza Kelly Carlin Nancy Abraham (HBO) Lisa Heller (HBO) |
| Producer | Wayne Federman |
| Animator | Stefan Nadelman |
| Editor | Joe Beshenkovsky |
| Production companies | Rise Films Apatow Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | May 20, 2022 |
Summary
Part 1
At the dawn of the 1960s comedy scene, a clean-cut Carlin works the mainstream variety-show circuit but soon realizes that he was meant for something edgier. He trades his suit and tie for bluejeans, and finds that his eloquence and sometimes brutal candor resonate with counterculture audiences. Propelled by sales of his four gold comedy records released on Flip Wilson's Little David label (Little David Records), appearances on talk shows, and frequent touring, Carlin becomes a major comedic force of the 1970s.
Part 2
In the 1980s, Carlin faces major challenges: His audiences are shrinking, some critics deem him passé, and his family is suffering because of his cocaine use and his wife's alcoholism.[4] He approaches his material with a new vigor, and fills comedy clubs and large venues with his insightful and increasingly critical observations about politics, life, and human behavior.
Production
On August 10, 2020, HBO announced that a documentary about George Carlin was in development with Judd Apatow and his longtime collaborator Michael Bongfiglio. They were also working with editor Joe Beshenkovsky, who worked with Apatow on the documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling.[5] The film is dedicated in the memory of Patrick Carlin Jr., George's elder brother, who died a month before the film was released.[6]
Notable interviewees
- George Carlin (archival footage)
- Brenda Carlin, Carlin's first wife (archival footage)
- Sally Wade, Carlin's second wife
- Kelly Carlin, Carlin's daughter
- Patrick Carlin Jr., Carlin's elder brother
- Kliph Nesteroff, author and comedy historian
- Jerry Hamza, Carlin's manager from 1980 until his death
- Bette Midler
- Rocco Urbisci, executive producer of Carlin's HBO specials from Playin' with Your Head onward
- Alex Winter, co-star of the Bill & Ted films
- Tony Orlando, host of the variety show Tony Orlando and Dawn
- Kevin Smith, director of Dogma and Jersey Girl, which featured Carlin
- Comedians who have cited Carlin as an inspiration, including:
Awards and nominations
References
- Pulaski, Steve (26 May 2022). "George Carlin's American Dream (2022) review". StevePulaski.com.
- Tallerico, Brian. "George Carlin's American Dream movie review (2022) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com/. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
- "George Carlin's American Dream captures the many phases of an iconoclastic comedian". The A.V. Club. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
- KQED
- Sheridan, Wade (2020-08-10). "HBO announces documentary on George Carlin from Judd Apatow". UPI. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
- "Patrick Carlin, Comedy Writer and Brother of George Carlin, Dies at 90". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 April 2022.
- Verhoeven, Beatrice (2022-07-07). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- "George Carlin's American Dream". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- Cordero, Rosy (June 16, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- Davis, Clayton (October 17, 2022). "'Fire of Love' and 'Good Night Oppy' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Award Nominations". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- Carey, Matthew (October 20, 2022). "Cinema Eye Honors: 'Four Hours At The Capitol,' 'The Beatles: Get Back' Lead First Round Of Nominations For Documentary Awards Show". Deadline. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- Pedersen, Erik (January 10, 2023). "Cinema Audio Society Awards Nominations Set: 'Avatar: The Way Of Water', 'Top Gun: Maverick', 'Elvis' & More". Deadline. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- Giardina, Carolyn (January 9, 2023). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Leads Sound Editors' Golden Reel Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- Verhoeven, Beatrice (January 12, 2023). "Producers Guild Awards 2023 Film and TV Nominations Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2023.