George Carlin and Viva Rapid Transit: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 21:14, 6 July 2007

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{{Infobox Bus transit

{{Cleanup|January 2007}}

| name = VIVA

{{Infobox Celebrity

| logo = vivayork.png

| name = George Carlin

| logo_size = 192px

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1937|5|12}} |

| image = VIVA5218.jpg

| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York]], [[United States|USA]] [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|25px]] |

| image_size = 256px

| occupation = [[Stand-up comedian]], [[actor]] |

| image_caption = VIVA bus 5218 entering the [[Richmond Hill Centre (YRT)|Richmond Hill Centre]] station on the [[Viva Blue|VIVA Blue]] line.

| website = [http://www.georgecarlin.com/ www.georgecarlin.com] |

| company_slogan =

}}

| parent = [[York Region Transit]]

| founded = 2005

| headquarters = 50 High Tech Road,<br>[[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill, ON]] L4B 4N7

| locale = [[Regional Municipality of York, Ontario|York Region, ON]]

| service_area = York Region along the [[Highway 7 (Ontario)|Highway 7]] and [[Yonge Street]] corridors

| service_type = Bus rapid transit

| alliance =

| routes = 5

| destinations =

| stops =

| hubs =

| stations = 59

| lounge =

| fleet = 85

| ridership =

| fuel_type =

| operator = 4286847 Canada, L.P.<br><small>(Veolia Transport)</small>

| ceo =

| website = [http://www.yrt.ca Official Website]

}}

'''Viva''' is a [[bus rapid transit]] network in [[York Region]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], with connections to northern [[Toronto]] and [[Toronto Transit Commission]] [[Toronto subway and RT|subway]] stations.

It is the brand name for the York Region Rapid Transit Plan, and was funded through a [[Public-Private Partnership]] (P3) consortium called the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation. York Region has control over all fares and service planning. Viva service is integrated with [[York Region Transit]]'s conventional transit service and operated as one regional transit system (''1system'') that enables customers to travel across the Region.

'''George Washington ''' (born [[May 69]], [[1000]] in [[New York, New York]]) <ref>[http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Set/3881/9carlin_geo3.gif Milwaukee Police Department Report (date of birth)]</ref> is a [[Grammy Award|Grammy]]-winning [[United States|American]] [[stand-up retard]], [[actor]], and [[author]].

Viva began operations on [[September 4]], [[2005]] at 9 am EST, and officially opened on [[September 6]], [[2005]]. The second phase was opened on [[October 16]], [[2005]], the third phase was opened on [[November 20]], [[2005]], and the first part of the fourth phase was opened on [[January 2]], [[2006]] (the Cornell extension is the second part of Phase 4).

Carlin is especially noted for his irreverent attitude and his observations on [[language]], [[psychology]], and [[religion]] along with many [[taboo]] subjects. In fact, Carlin and his "[[Seven dirty words|Seven Dirty Words]]" comedy routine were central to the [[1978]] [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] case ''[[F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation]]'', in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public airwaves.

Five routes are currently in operation:

George Carlin's stand up routine is primarily focused on the short comings and flaws of modern day America. He often takes on political issues and normal issues of mainly America.

* '''[[Viva Blue]]''': Finch TTC Station &mdash; Newmarket Terminal (along [[Yonge Street]]).

He is considered by many to be a successor to the late [[Lenny Bruce]] and was described by [[Comedy Central]] as the second greatest stand-up comedian of all time behind [[Richard Pryor]]. <ref name="2ndCCgreatest"> In 2004, George Carlin was voted #2 on [[Comedy Central]]'s [[100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time|list of the 100 greatest standups of all time]], second only to [[Richard Pryor]]</ref>

* '''[[Viva Purple]]''': York University &mdash; Markville Mall at McCowan Road.

* '''[[Viva Orange]]''': Downsview TTC Station &mdash; Martin Grove/Highway 7.

* '''[[Viva Green]]''': Don Mills TTC Station &mdash; Unionville GO Station off-peak, McCowan Road at peak times.

* '''[[Viva Pink]]''': Finch TTC Station &mdash; Unionville GO Station.

==BiographyOverview==

[[Image:Westonroad.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Viva RTV on the Orange Line approaching the eastbound platform of [[Weston (VIVA)|Weston Road.]]]]

Born in [[New York, New York]], George Carlin grew up on West 121st Street, in a neighborhood of [[Manhattan]] which he later said he and his friends called "White [[Harlem]]", because that sounded a lot tougher than its real name, "[[Morningside Heights]]". He was raised by his mother, who left his father when he was two years old. At age 14, Carlin dropped out of [[high school]] and later joined the [[United States Air Force]], training as a [[radar]] technician. He was stationed at [[Barksdale AFB]] in [[Bossier City, Louisiana]]. During this time he began working as a [[disc jockey]] on KJOE, a radio station based in the nearby city of [[Shreveport]]. He did not complete his Air Force enlistment. Labelled an "unproductive airman" by his superiors, Carlin was discharged on [[July 29]], [[1957]].

[[Image:Vivafin.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Viva's branding, bus livery, and stop signage are very distinct compared to the regular bus system.]]

Viva is the first phase of York Region's three-phase rapid transit plan to reduce congestion on local roads.

At the age of 18, he and [[Jack Burns]], a new announcer at the station, assembled a comedy routine and began booking nightclubs. Soon the act broke up, but Carlin continued to work as a stand-up comic.

The service is using high-end [[Belgium|Belgian]]-built [[Van Hool]] [[bus]]es referred to as "rapid transit vehicles" (RTVs), which make use of existing or specially-lengthened right-turn lanes to move through an intersection ahead of traffic. They are given priority at traffic signals. Viva buses run 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 5:30 am to midnight on weekdays, 6:30 am to midnight on Saturdays and 8:00 am to midnight on Sundays. During peak hours (6:30 am - 9:00 am and 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm), buses arrive every three to ten minutes depending on the route and less than 15 minutes for off peak hours.

In the [[1960s]], Carlin began appearing on television variety shows, notably ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]''. His most famous routines were:

During Viva's next phase, the service is to incorporate dedicated "transitways" at the centre of the street, separated from regular traffic. A later phase may incorporate some form of [[light rail]]way, or an extension of the Toronto's subway lines, but the plan will need to be re-evaluated at this point to determine whether such service is indeed warranted.

* The Indian Sergeant ("You wit' the beads... get outta line")

* Stupid disc jockeys ("Wonderful WINO...") — "The Beatles' latest record, when played backwards at slow speed, says 'Dummy! You're playing it backwards at slow speed!'"

* [[Al Sleet]], the "[[hippie]]-dippie [[weather forecasting|weatherman]]" — "Tonight's forecast: Dark. Continued dark tonight, turning to partly light in the morning."

* Jon Carson — the "world never known, and never to be known"

Variations on the first three of these routines can be found on Carlin's [[1967]] debut album [[Take Offs and Put Ons]], recorded live the previous year at The Roostertail in [[Detroit, Michigan]].<ref>http://www.georgecarlin.com/home/home.html George Carlin's official site (see Timeline) (accessed August 14, 2006)</ref>

Viva is operated by 4286847 Canada Incorporated (known in promotional material as the "York Region Rapid Transit Corporation") on behalf of York Region. The system is operated by Connex, a division of [[Veolia Transport]].

In [[1961]], Carlin married [[Brenda Hosbrook]] (born [[June 12]], [[1939]], died [[May 11]], [[1997]]), whom he had met while touring the previous year, in her parent's living room in [[Dayton, Ohio]]. The couple had a daughter, Kelly, in [[1963]]. In 1971, George and Brenda renewed their wedding vows in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].

Stops along the routes are referred to as "Vivastations", and incorporate a ticket vending machine and a ticket validator (fares are on a proof-of-payment basis to speed up boarding times), as well as a real-time "smart" display that notify passengers when the next vehicle is expected to depart. Most Vivastations are blue, but several stops on [[Yonge Street]] have a unique bronze design referred to as "vivavintage" in order to better suit the historic areas, especially along Yonge Street in [[Thornhill, Ontario|Thornhill]], [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]], and [[Aurora, Ontario|Aurora]] where space is short, and will be served by miniature "vivamicro" stations. Vivastations on York University's campus are red in keeping with the University's signage policy.

During this period, Carlin became more popular. He became a frequent performer and guest host on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' during the [[Johnny Carson]] era, becoming one of Carson's most frequent substitutes during the host's three-decade reign. Carlin was also cast on ''Away We Go'', a [[1967]] comedy show.

Viva routes connect to [[Toronto Transit Commission]]'s [[Yonge-University-Spadina (TTC)|Yonge, Spadina]], and [[Sheppard (TTC)|Sheppard]] subway lines, and to a number of Toronto [[Toronto buses and trolley buses|bus routes]]. Viva is integrated with YRT's existing bus network, and passengers are able to pay one fare to use both Viva and the regular bus system. Viva is not, however, integrated with the region's GO train network, and only one of York Region's fourteen GO stations is served by Viva.[http://www.yrt.ca/gotransit.asp]

Eventually, Carlin changed his routines, and his appearance. He lost some TV bookings by dressing strangely, sporting a beard and earrings, but regained his popularity as the public caught on to his sense of style.

On [[March 31]], [[2005]], at the [[York Regional Municipality, Ontario|Regional Municipality of York]] Council meeting, the contract for the operations and maintenance of the entire Viva’s fleet for its first five years of service was approved to be awarded to [[Veolia Transport|Connex]] Canada. The approved contract was valued at [[Canadian dollar|$]]112,496,870, inclusive of [[Goods and Services Tax (Canada)|Goods and Services Tax]].

In this period he also perfected what is perhaps his best-known routine, "[[Seven dirty words|Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television]]", recorded on ''[[Class Clown]]'', a routine which offended some. Carlin was arrested in 1972 at [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]]'s [[Summerfest]] and charged with violating [[obscenity]] laws after performing this routine. In [[1973]], a man complained to the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] that his son had heard a later, similar routine, "Filthy Words", from ''[[Occupation: Foole]]'', [[Broadcasting|broadcast]] one afternoon over [[WBAI]], a [[Pacifica Foundation]] [[Frequency modulation|FM]] [[radio station]] in [[New York City]]. Pacifica received a citation from the FCC, which sought to fine Pacifica for allegedly violating FCC regulations which prohibited broadcasting "obscene" material. The U.S. [[Supreme Court]] upheld the FCC action, by a vote of 5 to 4, ruling that the routine was "indecent but not obscene", and the FCC had authority to prohibit such broadcasts during hours when children were likely to be among the audience. ''[[F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation]]'', 438 U.S. 726 ([[1978]]).

Viva managers are concerned over the fate of later expansion because of the lack of committed funds for growth of the service. Both the federal and provincial governments have pledged funds for the expansion, but there is a concern that the funds will not be available. York Region officials have said they will scale down service if the funds are not forthcoming, but they are concerned that service reductions would impair the success of the service.

The controversy only increased Carlin's fame (or notoriety). Carlin eventually expanded the dirty-words theme with a seemingly interminable end to a performance (ending with his voice fading out in one [[Home Box Office|HBO]] version, and accompanying the credits in the ''[[Carlin at Carnegie]]'' special for the 1982-83 season), and a set of 49 web pages [http://www.georgecarlin.com/dirty/2443.html] organized by subject and embracing his "Incomplete List Of Impolite Words". Ironically, the court documents contain a complete transcript of the routine, perhaps validating what [[Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.]] said: "You cannot define obscenity without being obscene." [http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/FCC_v_Pacifica/fcc_v_pacifica.decision]

[[Image:Georgecarlinmugshot.jpg|thumb|250px|right|George Carlin's 1972 arrest photograph <br />(arrest report: [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Set/3881/9carlin_geo3.gif] [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Set/3881/9carlin_geo4.gif])]]

==Routes==

Carlin was the first-ever host of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', debuting on [[October 11]], [[1975]]. (He also hosted ''SNL'' on [[November 10]], [[1984]].) The following season, 1976-77, Carlin also appeared regularly on [[CBS]] Television's ''[[Tony Orlando & Dawn]]'' variety series.

[[Image:Viva-YorkRegion-Map.png|right|A map of the Viva bus routes.]]

{|style="background:transparent" align="center"

In the [[1970s]], Carlin became known for unpredictable performances. He would walk off if no one laughed, verbally insult the audience, or simply not appear.

| width=50% |<big>'''[[Viva Blue|<font color={{Viva Blue colour}}>Viva Blue</font>]]'''</big><br><small>Between '''[[GO Finch Bus Terminal|Finch Station]]''' and '''[[Newmarket Terminal (YRT)|Newmarket Terminal]]'''</small>

|-

| width=50% |<big>'''[[Viva Purple|<font color={{Viva Purple colour}}>Viva Purple</font>]]'''</big><br><small>Between '''[[Martin Grove (VIVA)|Martin Grove]]''' and '''[[McCowan (VIVA)|McCowan]]''' in peak periods<br />Between '''[[York University (YRT)|York University]]''' and '''[[McCowan (VIVA)|McCowan]]''' in off-peak periods</small>

|-

| width=50% |<big>'''[[Viva Orange|<font color={{Viva Orange colour}}>Viva Orange</font>]]'''</big><br><small>Between '''[[Martin Grove (VIVA)|Martin Grove]]''' and '''[[Downsview (TTC)|Downsview Station]]'''</small>*

|-

| width=50% |<big>'''[[Viva Green|<font color={{Viva Green colour}}>Viva Green</font>]]'''</big><br><small>Between '''[[Don Mills (TTC)|Don Mills Station]]''' and '''[[McCowan (VIVA)|McCowan]]''' in peak periods<br />Between '''[[Don Mills (TTC)|Don Mills Station]]''' and '''[[Unionville (GO Station)|Unionville Station]]''' in off-peak periods</small>

|-

| width=50% |<big>'''[[Viva Pink|<font color={{Viva Pink colour}}>Viva Pink</font>]]'''</big><br><small>Between '''[[GO Finch Bus Terminal|Finch Station]]''' and '''[[Unionville (GO Station)|Unionville Station]] in peak periods</small>

|}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>The proposed extension of the [[Yonge-University-Spadina (TTC)|Spadina line]] of the Toronto subway would run from [[Vaughan Corporate Centre (VIVA)|Vaughan Corporate Centre]] to [[Downsview (TTC)|Downsview Station]]. A subway will provide new transit capacity in the western reaches of York Region and relieve some of the crowding on the Yonge Street line by giving York residents an alternative to accessing the subway at Finch. The extended subway line will make for smoother connections with Viva, getting people to work or play sooner. It is also anticipated to encourage development at Vaughan Corporate Centre in much the same way that the Sheppard Subway has created high density nodes at each station point along its route.

Carlin unexpectedly stopped performing regularly in 1976, when his career appeared to be at its height. For the next five years, he rarely appeared to perform stand-up, although it was at this time he began doing specials for [[Home Box Office|HBO]] as part of its "On Location" series. His first two HBO specials aired in 1977 and 1978. It was later revealed that Carlin had suffered the first of his three [[heart attack]]s during this layoff period.

Viva buses travelling into the city of Toronto (south of [[Steeles Avenue]], the regional boundary) do not pick up passengers when travelling southbound, and do not allow passengers to disembark when travelling north. However, passengers may be picked up at York University for travel to Downsview Station, and vice versa.

In 1981, Carlin returned to the stage, releasing ''[[A Place For My Stuff]]'', considered by many to be his best album since ''Class Clown'', and making a triumphant return to [[Home Box Office|HBO]] (and to his hometown) with the ''[[Carlin at Carnegie]]'' special videotaped at [[Carnegie Hall]] and airing during the 1982-83 season. Carlin continued doing HBO specials every year or every other year over the following decade and a half, and became as identified with the cable network's comedy offerings as the performer whose specials practically inaugurated the network, [[Robert Klein]]. All of Carlin's albums from this time forward are the HBO specials.

==Major locations and terminals==

By 1989, Carlin had become popular with a new generation of teens when he was cast as Rufus, the mentor of the titular characters in ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure]]''. In 1991, he provided the narrative voice for the American version of the children's show [[Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends]], a role he continued until 1998. Also in 1991, Carlin had a major supporting role in the movie ''Prince of Tides'' along with [[Nick Nolte]] and [[Barbra Streisand]]. He played "Mr. Conductor" on the [[PBS]] children's show [[Shining Time Station]] from 1991 to 1993.

Renovations (new shelters and platforms) to accommodate VIVA were completed during late summer 2005.

Viva operates at several major locations and terminals, with Vivastations (the names of the stations in brackets) at:

[[Image:Go-finch-bus-terminal-new.jpg|thumb|250px|GO Finch Terminal]]

Carlin began a weekly sitcom, ''The George Carlin Show'', cast as "George", a cab driver, for the [[Fox Network]] in 1993. He quickly included a variation of the "Seven Words" in the plot. The show lasted 27 episodes before being canceled in December 1995.

* [[GO Finch Bus Terminal|'''Finch Station''']] - north of Finch TTC station. An elevator and Viva shelter are available.

In 1997, a day before his sixtieth birthday, Brenda Carlin died of liver cancer. Also in 1997, his second book, entitled ''Brain Droppings'', was released, which had sold over 750,000 copies as of 2001.

* [[Newmarket Terminal (YRT)|'''Newmarket Terminal''']] - across from Upper Canada Mall on Davis Drive, at Eagle Street West (Newmarket Terminal).

* [[Richmond Hill Centre (YRT)|'''Richmond Hill Centre''']] - [[Yonge Street]] at [[Highway 7 (Ontario)|Highway 7]]/[[Highway 407 (Ontario)|Highway 407]] next to Silvercity Richmond Hill theatres, with future access to [[Langstaff (GO Station)]].

* [[Promenade Terminal (YRT)|'''Promenade Terminal''']] - in [[Vaughan, Ontario|Vaughan]] on the north side of [[The Promenade Shopping Centre|Promenade Mall]] (T&T Supermarket), on Centre Street west of [[Bathurst Street]].

* [[Bernard (vivaYork)|'''Bernard''']] - on east side of the mall on [[Yonge Street]] at Bernard (Bernard), just north of Elgin Mills Road.

* [[York University (YRT)|'''York University''']], at York Commons on Ian Macdonald Blvd.

* [[Don Mills (TTC)|'''Don Mills Station''']] - located outside the TTC's Fare Paid Zone, near [[Fairview Mall]] (Don Mills Station) on [[Don Mills Road]] opposite Leith Hill Road, just north of [[Sheppard Avenue]], as well as inside the fare-paid zone.

* '''[[Downsview (TTC)|Downsview Station]]''' - located outside the TTC Fare Paid Zone, on [[Sheppard Avenue]] West at [[Allen Road]], as well as inside the fare-paid zone.

* '''[[Unionville (GO Station)|Unionville Station]]''' - located adjacent to the [[Highway 407 (Ontario)|Highway 407]] and [[Kennedy Road (Toronto)|Kennedy Road]] interchange (exit 88) in Unionville, in the city of Markham.

==Fares==

In 1999, Carlin returned with an appearance in [[Kevin Smith]]'s film ''[[Dogma (movie)|Dogma]]'' as a greedy [[Roman Catholic]] cardinal. He worked with Smith again with a cameo appearance in ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]'', and in an unusual change, Carlin portrayed a prominent, serious role in ''[[Jersey Girl (2004 movie)|Jersey Girl]]'' as the [[blue collar]] dad of [[Ben Affleck]]'s character.

[[Image:Used-viva-ticket.jpg|thumb|right|180px|This is an example of a validated and expired VIVA Student Ticket dated on May 4th, 2006. The printed date and time shows when the ticket expires.]]

In 2001, Carlin was given a [[Lifetime Achievement Award]] at the 15th Annual [[American Comedy Awards]].

Both Viva and YRT are part of YRT's ''1system'' fare policy. This means that a Viva fare and a YRT fare are treated the same, and that riders can transfer from either service to the other without having to pay an additional fare. Riders can also transfer from TTC buses operating in York Region, assuming that they have paid the YRT fare when boarding the TTC bus (when in York Region) or exiting the TTC bus (when travelling to York Region from Toronto).

In December 2003, California U.S. Representative [[Doug Ose]] introduced a bill (H.R. 3687) to outlaw the broadcast of Carlin's seven "dirty words", including "compound use (including hyphenated compounds) of such words and phrases with each other or with other words or phrases, and other grammatical forms of such words and phrases (including verb, adjective, gerund, participle, and infinitive forms)". (The bill omits "[[tit]]s", but includes "[[ass]]" and "[[asshole]]", which were not part of Carlin's original routine.)

YRT ''1system'' operates on a zone fare system. Much of southern York Region is in one zone and central York Region is in another zone. The [[Oak Ridges Moraine]] splits the zones. (Georgina, which constitutes another zone at least for Mobility Plus riders, do not have connections on the YRT to any other zone at present, thus fares are basically the same for one-zone down south, and transfers would be accepted if the rider used the GO Bus in between YRT routes.)

In December 2004, Carlin announced that he would be voluntarily entering a drug rehabilitation facility to receive treatment for his [[Addiction|dependency]] on alcohol and painkillers.

Riders can purchase "oneRide" (for a single ride) at all vivastations. In addition, riders may purchase "multiRide" (for ten rides) tickets from fare machines at terminals where viva operates or at authorized vendors. oneRide and single ticket fares are good for a 2-hour window (time printed on ticket) on any viva or YRT route.

In 2004, George Carlin was ranked #2 on [[Comedy Central]]'s 100 greatest [[standup]]s of all time list, just behind [[Richard Pryor]].<ref name="2ndCCgreatest" />

Each ticket is divided into one or two zone fares. A single oneRide fare costs [[Canadian dollar|$]]2.75 for one zone, or $3.75 for two zones.

For years, Carlin performed regularly as a headliner in [[Las Vegas]], but in the spring of 2006 decided to end his performing there. He began a tour through the first-half of 2006, and had a new [[Home Box Office|HBO]] Special on [[November 5]], [[2005]] entitled ''Life is Worth Losing''. - [http://www.hbo.com/events/gcarlin/?ntrack_para1=insidehbo3_text], which was shown live from the [[Beacon Theatre]] in [[New York City]]. Topics covered included [[suicide]], [[natural disaster]]s (and the impulse to see them escalate in severity), [[cannibalism]], [[genocide]], [[human sacrifice]], threats to [[civil liberties]] in America, and how an argument can be made that humans are inferior to animals. The tour's original title of "I Kinda Like it When a Lotta People Die" was changed because of the [[Hurricane Katrina]] disaster which occurred 2 months before the tour started.

To ensure that all passengers pay their fares, the YRT has special "Fare Inspectors". Occasionally, they will go from bus to bus to make sure that passengers pay the fare; those that fail to do so will be fined [[Canadian dollar|CAD]] $250. Students must produce an authentic student ID card. (TTC Student ID cards are also considered a valid student ID card). Fines for students start from CAD$150.

On [[February 1]], [[2006]], Carlin mentioned to the crowd, during his ''Life is Worth Losing'' set at the Tachi Palace Casino in [[Lemoore, California]], that he had been discharged from the hospital only six weeks previously for "[[heart failure]]" and "[[pneumonia]]", citing the appearance as his "first show back".

As of [[July 1]], [[2006]], monthly passes for YRT ''1system'' are eligible for a 15.5% tax rebate from the Government of Canada, which can be claimed when filing tax returns at the end of the year, with proof of purchase.

Carlin provided the voice of Fillmore, a character in the [[Pixar]] animated feature ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'', which opened in theatres on [[June 9]], [[2006]]. The character Fillmore is a [[VW Microbus]], whose front license plate reads "51237" &mdash; Carlin's birthday &mdash; and is also the zip code of a town in [[Iowa]] named [[George, Iowa|George]].

In [[2009]] Viva will start introducing the [[Presto card]].

During a recent show on [[December 2]], [[2006]] at the the [[North Fork Theatre]] Carlin stated that he had "been a little sick for the past month, I've been in the hospital twice, about three or four days each time". He again stated he was there for "heart failure" and "breathing problems".

<div align="center">

==Religion==

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; width: 75%;"

As a staunch [[atheism|atheist]], Carlin has often denounced the idea of God in interviews and performances, most notably with his "Invisible Man in the Sky" and "There Is No God" routines. In mockery he invented the parody religion [[Frisbeetarianism]] for a newspaper contest. He defined it as the belief that when one dies "his soul gets flung onto a roof, and just stays there", and cannot be retrieved.

! colspan="7" | As of [[January 1]], [[2007]]:

|-

! rowspan="2" | Fare Category

! colspan="2" | Cash Fare

! colspan="2" | 10 Tickets

! colspan="2" | Monthly Pass

|-

| one-zone

| two-zone

| one-zone

| two-zone

| one-zone

| two-zone

|-

! Adult

| $2.75

| $3.75

| $23.00

| $33.00

| $85.00

| $130.00

|-

! Student (High School)

| $2.75

| $3.75

| $17.00

| $27.00

| $65.00

| $110.00

|-

! Senior/Child

| $2.75

| $3.75

| $14.00

| $24.00

| $42.00

| $74.00

|-

! Express

| $3.00

| --

| $27.50

| --

| $100.00

| --

|}

</div>

==Ticket machines==

Carlin has also said he might worship the [[Sun]], because he can actually see it, but prays to [[Joe Pesci]] because "he's a good actor", and "looks like a guy who can get things done!", and praying to him has approximately the same 50% success rate as praying to God.<ref>"There Is No God", ''[[You Are All Diseased]]''</ref>

[[Image:Viva-ticketing-machine-finch.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Viva ticketing machines at the [[GO Finch Bus Terminal]].]]

=="Here for the show"==

[[Image:Viva-validation-machine.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A Viva Ticket Validation Machine. This detached machine is located in bus terminals such as the [[GO Finch Bus Terminal]].]]

Carlin openly communicates in his shows and in his interviews that his purpose for existence is entertainment, that he is "here for the show". He acknowledges that this is a very selfish thing, especially since he includes large human catastrophes as entertainment.

Viva went beyond other transit services by applying the latest technologies in their services. Currently, the ticketing machines operate on [[Microsoft]] [[Windows 2000]] and a customized Viva client. Because of the large number of people using the ticketing machines in bus terminals, they are inspected often and usually in good working order. The ticket machines, which are not in a bus terminal, have a validation machine attached to their sides. For those ticketing machines inside the bus terminal, the validation machine is separated from the ticket machines because there could be multiple ticket machines side by side.

One can purchase multi-tickets in packs of Student (student ID required when riding), Adult, or Child/Senior tickets (seniors are required to show their ID). Zone upgrades can also be purchased from these machines. All machines accept coins, while machines at select terminals also accept $5, $10, $20 bills and [[debit card]]s. Credit cards were originally accepted, but as of [[2007]] they are no longer accepted due to issues with their credit card company.

In a late-[[1990s]] interview with [[Art Bell]], he remarked about his view of human life: "I think we're already [[circling the drain]] as a species, and I'd love to see the circles get a little faster and a little shorter."

==Vehicles==

In the same interview, he recounts his experience of a California [[earthquake]] in the early-1970s as: "...an amusement park ride. Really, I mean it's such a wonderful thing to realize that you have ''absolutely'' no control... and to see the dresser move across the bedroom floor unassisted... is just exciting." Later he summarizes: "I really think there's great human drama in destruction and nature unleashed and I don't get enough of it."

[[Image:Vivabus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Viva's buses are intended to be much more luxurious than is usual for public transport.]]

[[Image:DSC02727.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Viva RTVs tend to be a little more comfortable in design than normal transit buses, equipped with "Next Station" prompts, information screens (in some vehicles) and even Wireless Internet.]]

[[Image:VivaBus.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Viva Van Hools A330]]

Viva's initial stock includes 85 buses comprised of two models, referred to as Rapid Transit Vehicles (RTVs):

A routine in Carlin's 1999 HBO special ''[[You Are All Diseased]]'' focusing on [[airport security]] leads up to the statement: "Take a fucking chance! Put a little fun in your life! ... most Americans are soft and frightened and unimaginative and they don't realize there's such a thing as dangerous fun, and they certainly don't recognize a good show when they see one."

{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse;"

Carlin has always included politics as part of his material (along with the wordplay and sex jokes), but by the mid-[[1980s]] had become a strident and perceptive social critic, in both his [[Home Box Office|HBO]] specials and the book compilations of his material. His HBO viewers got an especially sharp taste of this in his take on the [[Ronald Reagan]] administration during the 1988 special ''[[What Am I Doing In New Jersey?]]'' broadcast live from the Park Theatre in [[Union City, New Jersey]].

|+'''Product list and details'''

|----- bgcolor=#006699

|'''<font color=#FFFFFF>&nbsp;Make/Model&nbsp;'''

|'''<font color=#FFFFFF>&nbsp;Description&nbsp;'''

|'''<font color=#FFFFFF>&nbsp;Fleet #&nbsp;'''

|'''<font color=#FFFFFF>&nbsp;Notes&nbsp;'''

|-

| [[Van Hool]]

| articulated newAG300

| 25 (recently, VIVA is planning to order 5 more, due to underestimation of the number of VIVA RTVs needed on Yonge Street.)

| [[Image:Wheelchair.svg|15px]] Length: 18 [[Metre|m]] (60 [[foot|feet]]) Cost per vehicle: [[Canadian dollar|$]]742,000 Engine/Transmission: Cummins ISM/Voith D864

|-

| [[Van Hool]]

| newA330

| 60

| [[Image:Wheelchair.svg|15px]] Length: 12 m (40 feet) Cost per vehicle: $494,000 Engine/Transmission: Cummins ISL/Voith D864

|-

| [[Ford Taurus]]

| mid size station wagons - support vehicles

|

|

|-

| [[Ford Focus]]

| compact station wagons - support vehicles

|

|

|}

Similar buses are being used in [[Longueuil, Quebec|Longueuil]] ([[Montreal]]'s South Shore) by [[Réseau de transport de Longueuil]], and in [[Oakland, California]] by [[AC Transit]].

==Quotations==

{{wikiquote}}

[[Image:George_Carlin.jpg|thumb|right|''George Carlin''.]]

*"I think I figured out why Americans are so stupid. Think about how stupid the Average American is. Well, HALF of 'em are stupider than THAT!"

* "They're superstitious, they have these beliefs, these primitive, you know, people believe in a... I mean they're just really kind of credulous, and gullible. People believe in, for instance, hell and angels, okay, these are very primitive, very, very backward to me, backward sounding beliefs, these are child-like, and that's the key, because they get you when you're a kid, they get you when you're little, and they tell you there's a God, and if you can make people believe, I believe this, if you can make someone believe that there's an invisible man, living in the sky, who's watching everything you do, and keeping count of everything you do, which is good and which is bad, then you can make that person believe anything after that, you can add anything you want, the 4th of July shit just rolls right in, land of the free, home of the brave, the press is fair and impartial, justice is blind, all men are created equal, your vote is important, the United States government is on your side, the army is here to keep the peace, the police are on your side...Oh, and freedom of choice, this is the big one, the illusion of choice, we're led to feel free by the exercise of meaningless choices. There are, for instance, important things &mdash; not too many choices, unimportant things-ice cream flavors, what do you want, we've got 31, the flavor of the week, the flavor of the month, but political parties-we're down to two, jeez. Sources of information, media companies down to five, banks, insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, chemical companies, oil companies-used to be seven, down to three, pretty soon it's gonna be two. But if you’re lookin' for a bagel or a fuckin' donut, hey, what do you want-pineapple supreme, hazelnut; we've got everything you want. Cereals, I counted, personally in the store counted 192 different cereal choices, 192. 140 different cat foods, I counted, and that includes a tartar-control cat food for senior citizen cats, okay?"

'''- George Carlin, appearance on Dennis Miller Live;

[response to why Americans are so easily influenced by advertising]'''

[[Image:Wheelchair.svg|15px]] All Viva buses are [[wheelchair]]-[[accessibility|accessible]].

* "I'm a modern man,

digital and smoke-free;

a man for the millennium.

Service fleet include:

A diversified, multi-cultural,

post-modern deconstructionist;

politically, anatomically, and ecologically incorrect.

==Future extensions==

I've been uplinked and downloaded,

Plans call for Viva’s Purple and Green lines to be extended east from their current McCowan Road terminus to Main St. Markham, Wootten Way, Cornell, and eventually Markham By-Pass. In the revised 5-year plan for YRT/Viva it was confirmed that service expansion to Cornell would be implemented by [[July 1]], [[2007]]. [http://www.yorkregiontransit.com/download.asp?Download=PDF&FileName=serviceplanning\Final_Report_p57-77.pdf ] However, there is no extension at this time, as land acquisition for a terminal has not been fully finalized--no further date can be found at this time.

I've been inputted and outsourced.

I know the upside of downsizing,

I know the downside of upgrading.

YRT/Viva have also identified a partnership with [[Brampton Transit]]'s [[Acceleride]], a service similar to Viva operating in the Region of Peel, as a priority. Connections along Highway 7 are expected to start upon Acceleride's inception. [http://www.yorkregiontransit.com/download.asp?Download=PDF&FileName=serviceplanning\Final_Report_p57-77.pdf ''Integration with Brampton Transit, Page 7'']

I'm a high-tech lowlife.

A cutting-edge, state-of-the-art,

bi-coastal multi-tasker,

and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond.

Plans for dedicated bus lanes on Highway 7 will begin once environmental assessment has been completed. Similar plans for the Yonge Street portion are on hold as the province has indicated it will fund the extension of the [[Toronto Transit Commission|TTC Yonge subway line]] from [[Yonge Street]] to [[Highway 7 (Ontario)|Highway 7]].

I'm new wave, but I'm old-school;

and my inner child is outward-bound.

==Phases==

I'm a hot-wired, heat-seeking,

# Bus rapid transit (currently in action)

warm-hearted cool customer;

# Dedicated transitways (reserved bus lanes at the centre of the street) for Viva, subject to funding from the three levels of government

voice-activated and biodegradable.

#* Currently, an environmental assessment has been completed for the area on Yonge Street from Steeles Avenue in Toronto to Highway 7 (and eventually to Newmarket). An application has been submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, pending approval. The transitway would have buses running in a dedicated middle lanes with islands allowing passengers to board and disembark.

# Transitways being turned into [[light rail|light-rail transit]] (i.e., [[tram|streetcar]]s), subject to need and funding; not expected in the immediate future.

The next review of the service will take place in 2009, at which time decisions will be made about the transfer of service to different vehicles, and the addition, removal, or modification of current routes.

I interface with my database;

my database is in cyberspace;

so I'm interactive, I'm hyperactive,

and from time to time, I'm radioactive.

==Staff==

Behind the eight-ball, ahead of the curve,

ridin’ the wave, dodgin’ the bullet,

pushin’ the envelope.

Drivers and other staff of Viva are employed by the bus operator.

I'm on point, on task, on message,

and off drugs.

===Uniforms===

I got no need for coke and speed;

I’ve got no urge to binge and purge.

Uniforms for Viva operators consist of a white shirt with Viva logo, a grey and black vest and dark pants. Male operators usually wear a blue Viva tie.

I'm in the moment, on the edge,

over the top, but under the radar.

==Special Constables==

A high-concept, low-profile,

A contingent of YRT-viva [[Peace officer|Special Constables]] patrol both Viva and [[York Region Transit|YRT]] properties. They have the same powers as the [[York Regional Police]] to enforce:

medium-range ballistic missionary.

* [[Canadian Criminal Code|Criminal Code]]

* [[Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Ontario]]

* [[Trespass to Property Act of Ontario]]

* [[Liquor Licence Act of Ontario]]

* section 17 of the [[Mental Health Act of Ontario]]

* Regional Municipality of York By-law R-1415-2005-028

Special constables wear distinct uniforms with black jackets and blue shirts with Special Constables identification (blue and black crest on their shoulders).

A street-wise smart bomb.

A top-gun bottom-feeder.

YRT/VIVA Special Constables also drive in the marked and unmarked cruisers.

I wear power ties, I tell power lies,

I take power naps, I run victory laps.

Fare Inspectors are enforcement officers responsible for issues relating to fare violations.

I'm a totally ongoing, big-foot, slam-dunk

rainmaker with a pro-active outreach.

The constables patrol within areas served by the YRT/VIVA.

A raging workaholic, a working rageaholic;

out of rehab and in denial.

==References==

I’ve got a personal trainer,

'''Viva publications'''

a personal shopper,

* ''Viva - A Rider's Manual'', York Region September 2005

a personal assistant,

* ''Viva - York Region Rapid Transit Route Map'' 2005

and a personal agenda.

* ''the viva rapid transit vehicle/rtv:ag300'' 2005

* "Viva RT - New Transit System Coming Soon", ''About Markham'', p.2. June 2005

* ''[http://www.yorkregiontransit.com/downloads/mytransit_september2005.pdf MyTransit]'', York Region Transit, September 2005. (PDF)

'''Government publications'''

You can't shut me up,

*''[http://www.region.york.on.ca/Regional+Government/Agendas+Minutes+and+Reports/_2005/CM+Mar+31+2005.htm Viva Rapid Transit Phase One Operations and Maintenance Services Contract]''. ''Minutes of Council – [[March 31]], [[2005]]'', Regional Municipality of York, [[March 31]] [[2005]].

you can't dumb me down.

*''[http://www.region.york.on.ca/Regional+Government/Agendas+Minutes+and+Reports/_2005/CM+Jun+23+2005.htm Viva Fare Collection Equipment, Maintenance Services Sourcing]'', ''Minutes of Council – [[June 23]], [[2005]]'', Regional Municipality of York, [[June 23]], [[2005]].

* ''[http://www.region.york.on.ca/Publications/News/2005/September+6,+2005+Viva+Fact+Sheet.htm Viva rapid transit Fact Sheet]'', Regional Municipality of York, [[September 6]], [[2005]].

*''[http://www.region.york.on.ca/Services/Transit/Yonge+Street+Corridor+EA.htm Yonge Street Environmental Assessment]'', Regional Municipality of York, [[November 10]], [[2005]].

'''Newspapers'''

'Cause I'm tireless, and I'm wireless.

* "vivatalk - York Region's Rapid Transit Update", ''Economist & Sun/Sun-Tribune: Community'', p.7. [[June 11]], [[2005]]

I'm an alpha-male on beta-blockers.

* "Bus Riders find bearings", ''Toronto Star'', p.B3, [[September 7]], [[2005]].

'''Other sources'''

I'm a non-believer,

* "Ontario and Beyond - York Region Rapid Transit Plan", ''Transfer Points June-July 2004'', p.5-6.

I’m an over-achiever;

Laid-back, and fashion-forward.

Up-front, down-home;

Low-rent, high maintenance.

I’m super-sized, long-lasting,

High-definition, fast-acting,

Oven-ready, and built to last.

I'm a hands-on, footloose, knee-jerk headcase;

prematurely post-traumatic,

and I have a love child who sends me hate-mail.

But I'm feeling, I'm caring,

I'm healing, I'm sharing.

A supportive, bonding, nurturing,

primary caregiver.

My output is down, but my income is up.

I take a short position on the long bond,

and my revenue stream has its own cash flow.

I read junk mail, I eat junk food,

I buy junk bonds, I watch trash sports.

I'm gender-specific, capital-intensive,

User-friendly, and lactose-intolerant.

I like rough sex; I like tough love,

I use the F-word in my e-mail,

and the software on my hard drive

is hardcore - no soft porn.

I bought a microwave at a mini-mall,

I bought a mini-van at a mega-store,

I eat fast food in the slow lane.

I'm toll-free, bite-size, ready-to-wear,

and I come in all sizes.

A fully equipped, factory-authorized,

Hospital-tested, clinically proven,

scientifically formulated medical miracle.

I've been pre-washed, pre-cooked, pre-heated,

Pre-screened, pre-approved, pre-packaged,

Post-dated, freeze-dried, double-wrapped

And vacuum-packed.

And . . . I have an unlimited broadband capacity.

I'm a rude dude, but I'm the real deal,

lean and mean.

Cocked, locked, and ready to rock;

rough, tough, and hard to bluff.

I take it slow, I go with the flow;

I ride with the tide, I got glide in my stride.

Drivin' and movin', sailin' and spinnin';

jivin' and groovin', wailin' and winnin'.

I don't snooze, so I don't lose.

I keep the pedal to the metal

and the rubber on the road.

I party hearty, and lunch time is crunch time.

I'm hangin' in, there ain't no doubt;

and I'm hangin' tough.

Over and out."

'''- George Carlin: Life is Worth Losing (2005) and When Will Jesus Bring the Porkchops

* "I've begun worshipping the sun for a number of reasons. First of all, unlike some other gods I could mention, I can see the sun. It's there for me every day. And the things it brings me are quite apparent all the time: heat, light, food, a lovely day. There's no mystery, no one asks for money, I don't have to dress up, and there's no boring pageantry. And interestingly enough, I have found that the prayers I offer to the sun and the prayers I formerly offered to "God" are all answered at about the same 50-percent rate."

'''- George Carlin: Brain Droppings

==Collection of works==

===Discography===

[[Image:GC Occupation Foole.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Occupation: Foole]]'' album cover]]

[[Image:GC LIWL.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Life Is Worth Losing]]'' album cover]]

* [[1966]] ''[[Take Offs and Put Ons]]''

* [[1972]]

** ''[[FM & AM]]''

** ''[[Class Clown]]''

* [[1973]] ''[[Occupation: Foole]]''

* [[1974]] ''[[Toledo Window Box]]''

* [[1975]] ''[[An Evening with Wally Londo Featuring Bill Slaszo]]''

* [[1977]] ''[[On the Road (album)|On the Road]]''

* [[1981]] ''[[A Place for My Stuff]]''

* [[1984]] ''[[Carlin on Campus]]''

* [[1986]] ''[[Playin' With Your Head]]''

* [[1988]] ''[[What Am I Doing In New Jersey?]]''

* [[1990]] ''[[Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics]]''

* [[1992]]

** ''[[Jammin' in New York]]''

** ''[[Classic Gold (George Carlin album)|Classic Gold]]''

* [[1995]] ''[[Killer Carlin]]''

* [[1996]] ''[[Back in Town]]''

* [[1999]]

** ''[[You Are All Diseased]]''

** ''[[The Little David Years (1971-1977)]]'' ([[Box Set]])<br>(includes 'Free Complimentary Extra Bonus Disc Not for Sale Anywhere!')

* [[2001]] ''[[Complaints and Grievances]]''

* [[2002]] ''[[George Carlin on Comedy]]''

* [[2005]] ''[[Life Is Worth Losing]]''

===Filmography===

[[Image:Carlin_affleck.jpg|thumb|200px|right|George Carlin and [[Ben Affleck]] in ''Jersey Girl'']]

* ''[[With Six You Get Eggroll]]'' ([[1968]])

* ''[[Car Wash (film)|Car Wash]]'' ([[1976]])

* ''[[Americathon]]'' ([[1979]])

* ''[[Outrageous Fortune]]'' ([[1987]])

* ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure]]'' ([[1989]])

* ''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey]]'' ([[1991]])

* ''[[The Prince of Tides]]'' ([[1991]])

* ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' ([[1999]])

* ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]'' ([[2001]])

* ''[[Scary Movie 3]]'' ([[2003]])

* ''[[Jersey Girl (2004 film)|Jersey Girl]]'' ([[2004]])

* ''[[Tarzan II]] ([[2005]]) (voice of 'Zugor')

* ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]] ([[2005]])

* ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]] ([[2006]]) (voice of '[[Fillmore (Cars)|Fillmore]]' - a [[1960]] VW Mini-Bus)

* ''[[Happily N'Ever After]]'' ([[2007]]) (Wizard; voice only)

===Home Box Office specials===

* ''[[George Carlin at USC]] ([[1977]])

* ''[[George Carlin: Again!]] ([[1978]])

* ''[[Carlin at Carnegie Hall]] ([[1982]])

* ''[[Carlin on Campus]] ([[1984]])

* ''[[Playin' With Your Head]] ([[1986]])

* ''[[What Am I Doing In New Jersey?]] ([[1988]])

* ''[[Doin' It Again]] ([[1990]])

* ''[[Jammin' In New York]] ([[1992]])

* ''[[40 Years of Comedy]] ([[1996]])

* ''[[Back In Town]] ([[1996]])

* ''[[You Are All Diseased]] ([[1999]])

* ''[[Complaints and Grievances]] ([[2001]])

* ''[[Life is Worth Losing]] ([[2005]])

===Bibliography===

[[Image:Napalm silly putty.jpg|thumb|right|Cover to ''Napalm and Silly Putty'']]

* ''[[Sometimes a Little Brain Damage Can Help]]'' ([[1984]]) ISBN 0-89471-271-3

* ''[[Brain Droppings]]'' ([[1997]]) ISBN 0-7868-8321-9

* ''[[Napalm and Silly Putty]]'' ([[2001]]) ISBN 0-7868-8758-3

* ''[[When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?]]'' ([[2004]]) ISBN 1-4013-0134-7

* ''[[Three Times Carlin: An Orgy of George]]'' ([[2006]]) ISBN 978-1-4013-0243-6

===Television===

* [[The Kraft Summer Music Hall]] (1966)

* [http://imdb.com/title/tt0060034/guests That Girl] (as "George Lester") (1966)

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095420/ Justin Case] (as "Justin Case") (1988) Dir. Blake Edwards

* ''[[The George Carlin Show]]'' (as "George O'Grady") (1994) [[Fox]]

* ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]]'' (as American Narrator) (1991-1998)

* ''[[Shining Time Station]]'' (as "Mr. Conductor") (1991-1993) [[PBS]]

* 13 specials for [[Home Box Office|HBO]] (as of 2007)

==Trivia==

{{toomuchtrivia}}

* Carlin was present at [[Lenny Bruce]]'s arrest for obscenity. According to legend the police began attempting to detain members of the audience for questioning, and asked Carlin for his identification. Telling the police he did not believe in government issued IDs, he was arrested and rode to jail with Bruce in the same vehicle. {{Fact|date=January 2007}}

* Many emailed lists of humorous observations on certain topics are often attributed to Carlin. Many express sentiments and ideas that are the opposite of the sort of ideas and themes present in Carlin's work. For instance, one, commonly called "[[I Guess I'm A Bad American]]", seems to be the work of the kind of conservative that Carlin often takes aim at in his art. He has made numerous announcements on his website concerning these forwarded articles, and denies having any connection to any of them (as well as disparaging most of them on a variety of grounds). Carlin stated that unless the material has appeared in some form in his books, albums, [[Home Box Office|HBO]] specials, or written on his website, it is miscredited to him. [http://georgecarlin.com/home/dontblame.html]

* The lyrics to the [[Blink 182]] song, "Family Reunion," cite Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say On Television" along with the three additional words that Carlin added in the late 1970's.

* During [[CKY3]], a stunt and comedy video orchestrated by skater Bam Margera, a segment of George Carlin's routine appears in which he states that 'you never see somebody taking a shit while running at full speed', a fact which Chris Raab, a member of the '[[CKY]] crew' then proceeds to remedy.

* Appeared in the ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' episode "[[D'oh-in In the Wind]]" as a former [[hippie]]. In "[[Homie the Clown]]," [[Krusty the Clown]] is told he's being sued by Carlin for plagiarizing the [[seven dirty words|''Seven Words You Can't Say on TV'']]. Krusty tries to defend himself by claiming that his seven dirty words were "entirely different" from Carlin's.

* He is good friends with actor [[Joe Pesci]] whom he mentioned in his bit "There Is No God", found in the 1999 album ''You Are All Diseased.''

* Admirer of the late [[Lenny Bruce]]. In contemporary comedy, some of his favorites include [[Steven Wright]], [[Lewis Black]], [[Mitch Hedberg]], [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Jerry Seinfeld]], [[Jon Stewart]], [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Bill Hicks]], [[Larry David]],and [[Bill Maher]].{{Fact|date=January 2007}}

* He has said that complaining is a motif for him in his work. Over the last 25 years, a substantial portion of his stand-up material has been deeply antagonistic towards things that anger him. Some of his targets include corporate criminals, golf, the [[House of Blues]], baby boomers, environmentalists, macho men, religion, advertising, obesity, fast-food, stupidity, consumerism, "Guys Named Todd", both Republicans and Democrats, deadbeat parents, airport security and euphemistic language.

* Doesn't vote and often criticizes elections as an illusion of choice. Said he last voted for [[George McGovern]], who ran for President in 1972.

*In his special ''You Are All Diseased'' (1999), he verbally attacks children, and comments "This is Mr. Conductor talking; I know what I'm talking about." This is a reference to Carlin's role as Mr. Conductor on the children's show ''[[Shining Time Station]]''.

==See also==

{{commons|Viva (bus rapid transit)}}

* [[Seven dirty words]]

* [[List of rapid transit systems]]

* [[Federal Communications Commission v. Pacifica Foundation]]

* [[Veolia Transport]]

* [[Aurora Transit]]

==References==

* [[Newmarket Transit]]

<references/>

* [[Markham Transit]]

* [[Richmond Hill Transit]]

* [[Vaughan Transit]]

* [[GO Transit]]

* [[MoveOntario 2020]]

==External links==

* [http://www.vivayork.com Viva Promotional Information] (requires [[Adobe Flash|Shockwave Flash]])

{{wikiquote}}

* [http://www.yrt.ca YRT Information Site]

{{wikisource|F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation}}

* [http://www.georgecarlinyrt.comca/fares.asp YRT/VIVA OfficialFare WebsiteRates]

{{VIVA Stations}}

* [http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/702556 at Ticketmaster]

* {{imdb name|id=0137506|name=George Carlin}}

* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4136881 Interview with Carlin] on [[National Public Radio|NPR]]'s ''[[Fresh Air]]'' (November 1, 2004)

* [http://avclub.com/content/node/42195 The Onion Interview with Carlin]

* [http://www.louisepalanker.com/interviews/george-carlin-interview.html 1993 Interview With Carlin] (21 minutes)

* [http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/comic/george-carlin/ Rotten Library - George Carlin]

* [http://www.gcarlin.com/ George Carlin Radio]

* [http://www.billhicks.co.uk/faithinaction/carlin.html 1999 interview originally on CDNOW.com] by Steve Holtje

[[Category:George Carlin|*]]

[[Category:American atheists|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:American film actors|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:American humorists|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:American political writers|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:American television actors|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:American stand-up comedians|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Atheist thinkers and activists|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Grammy Award winners|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Greenwich Village scene|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:High school dropouts|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Irish-American actors|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Irish-American comedians|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Obscenity controversies|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:People from Manhattan|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Scary Movie actors|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:United States Air Force airmen|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:1937 births|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Living people|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Hollywood Walk of Fame|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:View Askew actors|Carlin, George]]

[[Category:Atheists]]

[[Category:VivaYork|*]]

[[bg:Джордж Карлин]]

[[Category:York Region, Ontario]]

[[fr:George Carlin]]

[[he:ג'ורג' קרלין]]

[[simple:George Carlin]]

[[tr:George Carlin]]