Nostalgia is in the air as we dive back into the hilarious sketch from The Carol Burnett Show. We’re zeroing in on one man, the comedic genius who made our ribs ache from laughter – yes, George Carlin.
He stepped onto the stage as Carl Close and brought us an offer so surreal, it could only spring from the imaginative mind of Carlin. Turn the dial back to Season 11, Episode 22, and there he is. With his grand pitch, Carl Close promised to deliver an astounding 400,000 musical favorites.
The entire musical universe, dating back to the dawn of melody itself, could be yours at the absurdly amusing price of just 12 cents a pound. Do the math, and you’re looking at a cool $27,000. As Carl insisted, it’s a small price to pay for this sonic treasure.
This sketch wasn’t just about selling records; it was a masterclass in Carlin’s unparalleled humor. His pitch was a comedy goldmine, sprinkled with quirky song titles, wry observations, and his signature songs such as – I Got You Out of My Heart, But Can’t Get You Out of My Apartment or the hilariously self-contained, No One Knows How I Feel, So I Keep It to Myself. Pure Carlin and pure comedic brilliance.
Carl’s collection had something for everyone. He tickled the jazz lovers with the eccentrically named Onet Perkins Far-out Woodside Avenue Experimental Pop Band and Travel Agency. He stirred opera buffs with the performances of Gigante Pascoloni and Josephine Jawoli.
And for blues enthusiasts, the records available were – We Got Blue, Am I Blue, You Are Blue, etc. Close upped the ante as the sales pitch progressed by including the symphonic masterpiece, Symphony Number Nine Opus 508, Area Code 212, delivered by The Bell Telephone Orchestra.
And, just when you thought it couldn’t get more outrageous, Carl offered an audacious return policy – a whole decade to try out the records! Looking back at this iconic sketch, it’s clear that Carlin’s brilliant humor and magnetic persona were the heart of The Carol Burnett Show.
His amazing offer, though far-fetched, could convince even the sternest of skeptics to at least consider it. That was the genius of George Carlin. His unforgettable presence and performances continue to resonate, a testament to his enduring legacy.
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