--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never was obsessed with comedians. When…" description: "\"I never was obsessed with comedians. When I was a little, little boy, I'd watch, like, George Carlin on 'Dinah Shore.'\" — Bobcat Goldthwait" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92d/bobcat-goldthwait-3748_carlin_i-never-was-obsessed-with-comedians-when_2151199.jpg" --- # I never was obsessed with comedians. When I was a little… ![“I never was obsessed with comedians. When I was a little, little boy, I'd watch, like, George Carlin on 'Dinah Shore.'” quote by Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92d/bobcat-goldthwait-3748_carlin_i-never-was-obsessed-with-comedians-when_2151199.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92d/bobcat-goldthwait-3748_carlin_i-never-was-obsessed-with-comedians-when_2151199.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92d/bobcat-goldthwait-3748_carlin_i-never-was-obsessed-with-comedians-when_2151199.jpg) > “I never was obsessed with comedians. When I was a little, little boy, I'd watch, like, George Carlin on 'Dinah Shore.'” [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He never idolized comedians; his early exposure was to George Carlin on a mainstream TV show. **In simple terms:** He wasn't obsessed with comedians; watched Carlin on TV. Key Takeaway Recognize early influences shape humor. Themes comedy influence media Mood nostalgic reflective Type biographical humorous When to use this quote - career choice - creative development - media consumption Key Concepts cultural studies personal history Questions to Reflect On - What early media shaped you? - How do those influences affect your work? A Different Perspective Early media can shape tastes unexpectedly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carlin/) [Comedians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedians/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ## Related quotes > [“Why should I have to hide the fact that I don't believe there’s a supreme being? There’s no proof of it. There’s no harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/why-should-i-have-to-hide-the-fact-that-i-don-t-believe-there-s-a/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [George Carlin is brilliant with words, and Johnny Winters is very creative. It's taking something common and drawing out the humor, being clever with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/george-carlin-is-brilliant-with-words-and-johnny-winters-is-very/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [Show me one guy or woman as funny as Rodney Dangerfield or as good as George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, or Joan Rivers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rock/show-me-one-guy-or-woman-as-funny-as-rodney-dangerfield-or-as-good-as/) [Chris Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rock/) > [When I used to see Rick Moranis do something, to me that was immediately funny. Or George Carlin or Martin Lawrence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/when-i-used-to-see-rick-moranis-do-something-to-me-that-was/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [It went from Bob Newhart to Flip Wilson to Bill Cosby to Richard Pryor to George Carlin to Cheech and Chong. I had all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/it-went-from-bob-newhart-to-flip-wilson-to-bill-cosby-to-richard/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [You look at Richard Pryor and Robert Klein and George Carlin and Richard Lewis - those guys were so smart, they were the thinking-man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-graynor/you-look-at-richard-pryor-and-robert-klein-and-george-carlin-and/) [Ari Graynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-graynor/) > [I've always thought George Carlin was brilliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/i-ve-always-thought-george-carlin-was-brilliant/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [I'm a big fan of George Carlin's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-van-holt/i-m-a-big-fan-of-george-carlin-s/) Brian Van Holt > [Every day I think, 'Gosh, I wish I could be like George Carlin, Bill Maher: I want that edge.' But every time I start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-smothers/every-day-i-think-gosh-i-wish-i-could-be-like-george-carlin-bill/) [Tom Smothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-smothers/) > [Thanks to people like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, it's real freedom to do stand-up comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-amstell/thanks-to-people-like-lenny-bruce-and-george-carlin-it-s-real-freedom/) [Simon Amstell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-amstell/) > [I listened to George Carlin when I was a kid and knew every word of his routines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hayes/i-listened-to-george-carlin-when-i-was-a-kid-and-knew-every-word-of/) [Sean Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hayes/) > [One of my greatest inspirations for stand-up was Jonathan Winters. He was a genius. One thing about him, and also Lenny Bruce, is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-klein/one-of-my-greatest-inspirations-for-stand-up-was-jonathan-winters-he/) [Robert Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-klein/) > [If I can make you laugh and learn, I want to be like George Carlin and Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy and Sam Kinison…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralphie-may/if-i-can-make-you-laugh-and-learn-i-want-to-be-like-george-carlin-and/) [Ralphie May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralphie-may/) > [I like George Carlin's jokes. I like his humor. He's one of my heroes, and I like what he did with talking about everyday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-like-george-carlin-s-jokes-i-like-his-humor-he-s-one-of-my-heroes/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I was scared to death because for the comics of my generation, HBO specials are like the pinnacle. I'm thinking of all these unbelievable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-was-scared-to-death-because-for-the-comics-of-my-generation-hbo/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) ## More by Bobcat Goldthwait > [Although it sounds very trite, I wish people were nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/although-it-sounds-very-trite-i-wish-people-were-nice/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [Fame is like a big eraser. It's strange, now that I'm famous. In my parents' opinion, all the shitty things - all the wreckage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/fame-is-like-a-big-eraser-it-s-strange-now-that-i-m-famous-in-my/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [Occasionally I'll have a slip, and I might watch 'RuPaul's Drag Race' or something. But for the most part, I am out on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/occasionally-i-ll-have-a-slip-and-i-might-watch-rupaul-s-drag-race-or/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [I don't read or watch anything that has to do with Lindsay Lohan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/i-don-t-read-or-watch-anything-that-has-to-do-with-lindsay-lohan/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [It's really hard to watch Leno. I set his chair on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/it-s-really-hard-to-watch-leno-i-set-his-chair-on-fire/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [Don't hoo, hoo, hoo me. There's a fine line between hoo, hoo, hoo and hiel, hiel, hiel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/don-t-hoo-hoo-hoo-me-there-s-a-fine-line-between-hoo-hoo-hoo-and-hiel/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [People go, 'Oh, Trump must be good for comedy,' and I go, 'Ehhh.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/people-go-oh-trump-must-be-good-for-comedy-and-i-go-ehhh/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [Certainly, shows like 'Black Mirror' helped me. I should send them a fruit basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/certainly-shows-like-black-mirror-helped-me-i-should-send-them-a/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [When I was a baby I had no teeth. I couldn't get a job and I couldn't eat meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/when-i-was-a-baby-i-had-no-teeth-i-couldn-t-get-a-job-and-i-couldn-t/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [Sometimes the wheels just fall off a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/sometimes-the-wheels-just-fall-off-a-relationship/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [The movies I make don't take place in reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/the-movies-i-make-don-t-take-place-in-reality/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [When I get to make a movie, I really try to make it on my own terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/when-i-get-to-make-a-movie-i-really-try-to-make-it-on-my-own-terms/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [I choose not to be in front of the camera. Sometimes I do get offered parts, but I really like just making movies and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/i-choose-not-to-be-in-front-of-the-camera-sometimes-i-do-get-offered/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [I'm not really trying to reach a big mass of an audience. My movies are done for a tiny, tiny budget, and that affords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/i-m-not-really-trying-to-reach-a-big-mass-of-an-audience-my-movies/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) > [I've always been battling this perception people have of me, this character. It follows me around. 'Bubba the Bear' shows up when I'm checking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/i-ve-always-been-battling-this-perception-people-have-of-me-this/) [Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) [Explore all 123 Bobcat Goldthwait quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/) ## More Carlin quotes > [“Why should I have to hide the fact that I don't believe there’s a supreme being? There’s no proof of it. There’s no harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/why-should-i-have-to-hide-the-fact-that-i-don-t-believe-there-s-a/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [If I can make you laugh and learn, I want to be like George Carlin and Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy and Sam Kinison…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralphie-may/if-i-can-make-you-laugh-and-learn-i-want-to-be-like-george-carlin-and/) [Ralphie May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralphie-may/) > [One of my greatest inspirations for stand-up was Jonathan Winters. He was a genius. One thing about him, and also Lenny Bruce, is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-klein/one-of-my-greatest-inspirations-for-stand-up-was-jonathan-winters-he/) [Robert Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-klein/) > [“Why do so many people need help?! Life is not that complicated. You get up, you go to work, eat three meals, you take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/why-do-so-many-people-need-help-life-is-not-that-complicated-you-get/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I listened to George Carlin when I was a kid and knew every word of his routines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hayes/i-listened-to-george-carlin-when-i-was-a-kid-and-knew-every-word-of/) [Sean Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hayes/) > [You can be funny and say what you mean; these ideas are not mutually exclusive. Some of the best jokes came from people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kondabolu/you-can-be-funny-and-say-what-you-mean-these-ideas-are-not-mutually/) [Hari Kondabolu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kondabolu/) > [Thanks to people like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, it's real freedom to do stand-up comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-amstell/thanks-to-people-like-lenny-bruce-and-george-carlin-it-s-real-freedom/) [Simon Amstell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-amstell/) > [Every day I think, 'Gosh, I wish I could be like George Carlin, Bill Maher: I want that edge.' But every time I start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-smothers/every-day-i-think-gosh-i-wish-i-could-be-like-george-carlin-bill/) [Tom Smothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-smothers/) > [“Fuck the drug war. Dropping acid was a profound turning point for me, a seminal experience. I make no apologies for it. More people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/fuck-the-drug-war-dropping-acid-was-a-profound-turning-point-for-me-a/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I'm a big fan of George Carlin's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-van-holt/i-m-a-big-fan-of-george-carlin-s/) Brian Van Holt > [I've always thought George Carlin was brilliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/i-ve-always-thought-george-carlin-was-brilliant/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [You look at Richard Pryor and Robert Klein and George Carlin and Richard Lewis - those guys were so smart, they were the thinking-man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-graynor/you-look-at-richard-pryor-and-robert-klein-and-george-carlin-and/) [Ari Graynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-graynor/) > [It went from Bob Newhart to Flip Wilson to Bill Cosby to Richard Pryor to George Carlin to Cheech and Chong. I had all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/it-went-from-bob-newhart-to-flip-wilson-to-bill-cosby-to-richard/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [When I was younger, I listened to the greats: Winters, Mel and Carl, Nichols and May, Pryor, Carlin, Klein, Berman and lots of Lenny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lewis/when-i-was-younger-i-listened-to-the-greats-winters-mel-and-carl/) [Richard Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lewis/) > [When I used to see Rick Moranis do something, to me that was immediately funny. Or George Carlin or Martin Lawrence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/when-i-used-to-see-rick-moranis-do-something-to-me-that-was/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) [Browse all 19 Carlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carlin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never was obsessed with comedians. 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