George Carlins family speaks out against AI-generated special of their dad
We lost the beloved, irascible George Carlin in 2008 when he was 71 years young. For his sake, I’m glad that he was spared from seeing what we’ve done with the world since his passing. Speaking selfishly, man do I wish we could have had his commentary on the past 10 years. He was already railing decades ago against things like pro-life Republicans only caring about babies until birth, and Mother Nature exacting revenge on us for all we’ve put her through. If he was fired up about those issues then, can you imagine what he’d have to say about them now? And of course, I would love Love LOVE to have heard Carlin decimate Trump and his enablers, in language both eloquent and too filthy for TV. Although I lament not having his searing input on today’s woes, I’m not so desperate that I’d want to listen to an AI Carlin-impersonator try out new, unauthorized material. Carlin’s daughter Kelly doesn’t want this abomination either:
George Carlin’s family is pushing back against a new artificial intelligence-generated comedy special claiming to bring the legend’s work back to life.
The AI icon is true to form with an inflammatory set featuring opinions on Trump, transgender Americans, reality TV and tech. The hour-long comedy special from Dudesy features an AI spin on Carlin’s takes on current events. Dudesy is an AI comedy platform from Mad TV alum Will Sasso and podcaster Chad Kultgen.
“For the next hour, I’ll be doing my best George Carlin impersonation just like a human being would. I tried to capture his iconic style to tackle the topics I think the comedy legend would be talking about today,” a YouTube description written by AI reads.
Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin-McCall, has since responded in a post on Instagram, expressing disdain for the technological take on comedy and saying the AI impression will never “replace his genius.”
“My dad spent a lifetime perfecting his craft from his very human life, brain and imagination. No machine will ever replace his genius,” she captioned a screenshot of a news story on the special. “Thes AI generated products are clever attempts at trying to recreate a mind that will never exist again. Let’s let the artist’s work speak for itself.”
She continued: “Humans are so afraid of the void that we can’t let what has fallen into it stay there. Here’s an idea, how about we give some actual living human comedians a listen to? But if you want to listen to the genuine George Carlin, he has 14 specials that you can find anywhere.”
Responding to a commenter asking if the AI comedy special was authorized, Carlin-McCall responded that it was not.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Carlin’s estate for comment.
During the stand-up special, Dudesy clarifies Dudesy’s recreation is not the real Carlin and the content was created in the same way a human impressionist would.
“I listened to all of George Carlin’s material and did my best to imitate his voice, cadence and attitude,” the AI impression said at the start of the set.
“‘I listened to all of George Carlin’s material and did my best to imitate his voice, cadence and attitude,’ the AI impression said at the start of the set.” This has to be the worst, unfunniest start to a stand up show in comic history. If this AI wannabe had really done its homework on Carlin it would have nixed that flat, earnest opener. I hope Carlin’s family really does have all their ducks in a row on rights and can shut down this attempt from Dudesy (what a terrible name) toute suite. Like social media before it, AI is exploding faster than government regulations and laws can manage it. Authors and actors and creators with means can keep suing as cases arise, but the beast is unleashed.
If you’re jonesing for some Carlin, take his daughter’s tip and check out one of his 14 specials. I also thoroughly recommend the two-part documentary George Carlin’s American Dream on Max. It’s heavy though, so if you’re purely in need of laughter stick to the specials! As for Dudesy, I think we all know the seven dirty words Carlin would be directing at them, may he rest in profanity.
Photos credit: John Atashian/Avalon, Dennis Van Tine/Avalon, Richard C Murray/Avalon
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