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      Miniseries – George Carlin's American Dream

      2022 Documentary Comedy TRAILER for George Carlin's American Dream: Documentary Series Trailer List George Carlin's American Dream: Documentary Series Trailer George Carlin's American Dream: Documentary Series Trailer 2:25 View more videos
      100% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 91% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings The life and work of the legendary stand-up comic, who constantly evolves with the times and stays sharply resonant up until his death in 2008 and beyond. Read More Read Less Watch on Max Stream Now

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      George Carlin's American Dream — Miniseries

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      George Carlin's American Dream — Miniseries

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      Critics Consensus

      Spanning an epic runtime, George Carlin's American Dream is an exhaustive and revealing retrospective on the beloved comedian's career that ought to be mandatory viewing for standup fans.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Judy Berman TIME Magazine A clear-eyed portrait that also delivers lots of laughs. May 27, 2022 Full Review Tim Lowery AV Club The documentary does a nice job bookending with the most, let’s say, timely version of Carlin while still digging into the others... Rated: B+ May 23, 2022 Full Review Thelma Adams TheWrap Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio have created the extreme fan-boy documentary of counterculture comedian George Carlin’s life, times and personal struggles. May 20, 2022 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …offers a fairly complete picture that should serve as a springboard to those keen for further mental stimulation… Rated: 5/5 Aug 23, 2022 Full Review Leah Sydney Showbiz 411 Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfilgo more than deserve the kudos their brilliant film is garnering. Carlin's articulate booming voice resonates as loudly today. Bittersweet and stunning, "George Carlin's American Dream" is a cinematic dream come true. Jul 24, 2022 Full Review Kyle Smith National Review Apatow has done much to illuminate the art form and its practitioners, and his new George Carlin documentary is another vital document. Jun 28, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Kevin L This largely confirms my general take on Carlin as a standup, and the quality of his work at the different stages of his career. To be fair, I was really familiar most with his 70's-80's work, having seen his tv show work in skits as well as his tv-safe standup performances along with his 80's cable standup specials. I appreciated seeing this early side of Carlin. He was a clever guy, for sure. And his growth and evolution as comedic performer is reminiscent of Pryor's, with both realizing they had to be true to themselves first and quit placating to the puritanical types or just overly 'moral' majority. But a good bit of the run time was repetitive to the point of distraction and annoyance for me. Family dynamics and marital issues leading to drug abuse, incl. alcohol, come up repeatedly, and I wasn't watching the doc for the melodrama or the family secrets of this incredibly influential and beloved entertainer. More than a meditation on and showcase for his comedy stylings and his place in comedic history, it's more like a biography of his adult life in its approach. That said, there is considerable use of his performances over the years and stages of his career and his life. I remember the cable specials as I'd watch them at my sister's when I'd stay with her. Seeing the work he did with Burns, who I only knew from small parts on shows like "The Andy Griffith Show' was a surprise. Lotta tv work in the 60's. Another issue I had was too many segments w/ comics talking about Carlin that wasn't adding much that was specific about why his technique was special or influential. Patton Oswalt? They all praise him, while admitting his ups & downs w/ quality work, but why not talk about how dark & contemptible he got? His utter disdain for America deserved some reaction, imo, if your gonna be objective and balanced. George should've spent some time abroad. Would've shown him there's more potential for sane, healthy culture and sociopolitical progress than what he lived in. 3.7 stars Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/24 Full Review Gareth v A thorough and informative doco that covers the many phases of George Carlin. With plenty of interesting talking heads and access to his personal archives this dco is a must see into the life of this comedic genius. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/18/23 Full Review David F An exemplary documentary about the great comedian. This long film is full of clips from tv and movies that convey the breadth and depth of Carlin's career. It shows his early tv and radio entertainer persona and then his later more counter-culture humour, up to his somewhat grim nihilistic phase just before his death. Interviews with his brother, wife, and daughter provide ample details about his personal and professional life starting in the 40s and continuing up to his death in 2008. This is not only a very funny movie, it is also an in depth look at the art of comedy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/10/23 Full Review Thanato p I love Carlin. I love Apatow. This documentary is WAY too long. Would make for a good 2 hour show. Documentarians often fall in love with their footage. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/22 Full Review Manny P The absolute King of social critique. In the years since his untimely passing, you can see his delivery in most of his modern day contemporaries. The way he stays on point with his shows, never losing the thread, is very impressive. George, you were never an "Irish Kid", you were born in the US. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/31/22 Full Review Audience Member Just one word. Brilliant. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired May 20, 2022 Part 1 In the 1960s, young George Carlin cuts his teeth in comedy but stifles his rebellious instincts to achieve mainstream success; as the counterculture emerges, Carlin reinvents himself, delighting 1970s audiences with legendary sets. Details Episode 2 Aired May 21, 2022 Part 2 After a slump in the '80s, Carlin comes back with a vengeance, reaching new heights and new audiences with another reinvention that highlights his prescient political commentary and sharply honed observations about the state of America and the world. Details

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      George Carlin's American Dream — Miniseries

      George Carlin's American Dream: Documentary Series Trailer George Carlin's American Dream: Documentary Series Trailer 2:25 View more videos

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      George Carlin's American Dream — Miniseries

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      Season Info

      Director
      Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio
      Executive Producer
      Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio, Teddy Leifer, Jerry Hamza, Kelly Carlin, Lisa Heller, Nancy Abraham
      Network
      HBO
      Rating
      TV-MA
      Genre
      Documentary, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      May 20, 2022