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 |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | May 20, 2022 |
Summary
editPart 1
editAt 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
editIn 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
editOn 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]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Part 1" | Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio | May 20, 2022 | 101 |
|
The beginning of Carlin's legendary career as one of the premier stand up comedians of his time! | ||||
| 2 | "Part 2" | Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio | May 21, 2022 | 102 |
|
The conclusion of Carlin's legendary career as one of the premier stand up comedians of his time! | ||||
Notable interviewees
edit- 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, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Jersey Girl, all of which featured Carlin
- Comedians who have cited Carlin as an inspiration, including:
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022
|
Peabody Awards | Entertainment | George Carlin's American Dream | Nominated | [7] |
| Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Streaming Docuseries or Non-Fiction Series | George Carlin's American Dream | Nominated | [8] | |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special | Teddy Leifer, Judd Apatow, Michael Bonfiglio, Kelly Carlin, Joseph Beshenkovsky, Amanda Glaze, and Wayne Federman |
Won | [9] [10] | |
| Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program | Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program | Joseph Beshenkovsky | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) | Bobby Mackston, Matt Temple, and Joseph Beshenkovsky | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) | Earl Martin, Jason Gaya, Brad Bergbom, and Kevin Rosen Quan | Nominated | |||
| Television Critics Association Awards | Outstanding Achievement in News and Information | George Carlin's American Dream | Nominated | [11][12] | |
| Critics' Choice Documentary Awards | Best Biographical Documentary | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Best Director | Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Joe Beshenkovsky | Nominated | |||
| Cinema Eye Honours | Outstanding Broadcast Film | George Carlin's American Dream | Nominated | [14] | |
2023
|
Cinema Audio Society Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Non Fiction, Variety or Music – Series or Specials | Paul Graff, Earl Martin, Jason Gaya (for "Part 1") | Nominated | [15] |
| Golden Reel Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Non-Theatrical Documentary | Bobby Mackston, Matt Temple, Joseph Beshenkovsky, Miriam Cole | Nominated | [16] | |
| Producers Guild of America Awards | Best Non-Fiction Television | George Carlin's American Dream | Nominated | [17] |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Voyles, Blake (September 21, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Nominees". Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ 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.