Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars

by Kliph Nesteroff

George Carlin was a brand-new comedian when he appeared on a black-and-white episode of The Merv Griffin Show and mocked the John Birch Society. Carlin delivered his monologue in character: “Thanks very much, the name is Lyle Higgly. I’m the head of the local chapter of the John Birch Society … That’s the New York chapter that takes in New York, New Jersey—and parts of Idaho … At this time I was going to have a guest speaker for us tonight. I had invited the head of the Ku Klux Klan, the Grand Imperial, Almighty, Omnipotent, Invincible Stomper. However, his wife won’t let him out of the house tonight. In his place we have the supply officer in charge of sheets and robes … He’s just been acquitted of murder for the sixth time.” Carlin’s performance went over well. He walked to the panel and Merv Griffin said, “Geez, George. You don’t usually do little things with a sting.” Carlin agreed, “No, usually it’s nonsense stuff, but I just thought it was topical and … why not give it a little try?”