In a recent development, a comedy special powered by artificial intelligence has sparked controversy by trying to emulate the distinctive style of the late comedy legend George Carlin. This innovative yet contentious project comes nearly 15 years after Carlin’s passing in 2008 due to heart failure. The release of this AI-driven special drew critical remarks from Carlin’s daughter, who firmly stated that her father’s unique comedic talent could never be replicated by a machine.
The special, named “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” is a creation of the AI and human-curated podcast Dudesy, hosted by Chad Kultgen and Will Sasso. This podcast and its corresponding YouTube show leverage AI technology, which utilizes a variety of sources for content generation, including the hosts’ personal communications, social media interactions, and their creative works. This includes Sasso’s roles in MadTV and a screenplay by Kultgen titled “Pizza: The Movie.”
The origins of the AI technology used in Dudesy remain somewhat shrouded in mystery. In a conversation with Business Intelligence, Sasso refuted claims of the AI being a facade but mentioned a non-disclosure agreement that prevents the disclosure of more details about the AI’s backing company. Notably, the AI’s imitation of Carlin’s style has been described as remarkably accurate.
“Dudesy” introduces the special by setting clear expectations that the audience is not about to hear the actual George Carlin. It mentions its efforts to absorb Carlin’s entire body of work to mimic his vocal style, delivery, and attitude, aiming to cover topics that would resonate with him today. The outcome is a surreal reimagining of Carlin’s comedic presence.
In this special, the AI-generated Carlin persona tackles contemporary topics ranging from the prevalence of mass shootings to the nuances of social media. In a notable segment, the AI-Carlin humorously addresses the impact of AI on various professions, including stand-up comedy, sparking a conversation about the creative limits of AI in replicating human humor.
The special’s release on YouTube was quickly followed by a public reaction from Kelly Carlin, George Carlin’s daughter, through a series of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). She expressed her views emphatically, honoring her father’s lifetime dedication to refining his craft through his personal experiences and imagination. She asserted that such AI attempts, though ingenious, could never truly capture her father’s irreplaceable mind and spirit. Kelly emphasized the importance of letting artists’ original works stand on their own, highlighting the human tendency to avoid confronting loss and absence.
In response to a query on X about whether the creators had permission to use Carlin’s persona, Kelly firmly stated that no such permission was granted. She concluded her thread by encouraging fans to support living comedians and reminding them of the availability of George Carlin’s authentic comedy specials for those seeking his original work.
