George Carlin's American Dream

Last updated
George Carlin's
American Dream
George Carlin's American Dream.jpg
Genre Documentary
Directed by Judd Apatow
Michael Bonfiglio
StarringGeorge Carlin
Patrick Carlin Jr.
Kelly Carlin
Music byJeff Morrow
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producers Teddy Leifer
Judd Apatow
Michael Bonfiglio
Jerry Hamza
Kelly Carlin
Nancy Abraham (HBO)
Lisa Heller (HBO)
ProducerWayne Federman
Animator Stefan Nadelman
EditorJoe Beshenkovsky
Production companiesRise Films
Apatow Productions
Original release
Network HBO
ReleaseMay 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)

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]

Contents

Summary

Part 1

At 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

In 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

On 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]

Notable interviewees

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2022
 Peabody Awards EntertainmentGeorge Carlin's American DreamNominated [7]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Docuseries or Non-Fiction SeriesGeorge Carlin's American DreamNominated [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 BonfiglioNominated
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program Joseph BeshenkovskyNominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) Bobby Mackston, Matt Temple, and Joseph BeshenkovskyNominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera) Earl Martin, Jason Gaya, Brad Bergbom, and Kevin Rosen QuanNominated
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in News and Information George Carlin's American DreamNominated [11] [12]
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Best Biographical DocumentaryNominated [13]
Best Director Judd Apatow and Michael BonfiglioNominated
Best EditingJoe BeshenkovskyNominated
Cinema Eye Honours Outstanding Broadcast FilmGeorge Carlin's American DreamNominated [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 ColeNominated [16]
Producers Guild of America Awards Best Non-Fiction Television George Carlin's American DreamNominated [17]

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References

  1. ↑ Pulaski, Steve (26 May 2022). "George Carlin's American Dream (2022) review". StevePulaski.com.
  2. ↑ Tallerico, Brian. "George Carlin's American Dream movie review (2022) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com/. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  3. ↑ "George Carlin's American Dream captures the many phases of an iconoclastic comedian". The A.V. Club. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  4. ↑ KQED
  5. ↑ Sheridan, Wade (2020-08-10). "HBO announces documentary on George Carlin from Judd Apatow". UPI . Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  6. ↑ "Patrick Carlin, Comedy Writer and Brother of George Carlin, Dies at 90". The Hollywood Reporter . 18 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Voyles, Blake (September 21, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Nominees" . Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (2022-07-07). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  9. ↑ "George Carlin's American Dream". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  10. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  13. ↑ Davis, Clayton (October 17, 2022). "'Fire of Love' and 'Good Night Oppy' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Award Nominations". Variety . Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (January 9, 2023). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Leads Sound Editors' Golden Reel Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  17. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (January 12, 2023). "Producers Guild Awards 2023 Film and TV Nominations Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
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