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Carlin And Twain Were Kindred Spirits

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By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

The saddest thing about George Carlin becoming the 13th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is that he didn't live to get it.

Carlin died of heart failure last summer, just 10 days after he learned he was getting the honor.

When the Kennedy Center made the announcement on June 12, the 71-year old comic issued a statement, saying: "Thank you Mr. Twain. Have your people call my people."

His daughter, Kelly Carlin McCall, has said that Carlin may have joked about it, but he was deeply touched because he and Twain had a lot in common.

Both men had a love of language and used it in humorous ways to explore issues. Both were students of human nature. Both had little use for the self-important or self-righteous. Both were mavericks who delighted in exposing hypocrisy.

The irreverent and always relevant Carlin was there in spirit and on videotape when the Mark Twain Award was presented posthumously (for the first time ever) in November.

"George Carlin: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize" airs at 9 tonight on PBS, Channel 3, and it comes off like a respectful comedy roast with Jon Stewart, Lily Tomlin, Denis Leary, Margaret Cho, Richard Belzer, Lewis Black, Garry Shandling, Bill Maher and Joan Rivers fondly recalling Carlin's work and his influence.

CW SHUFFLE: The CW network is bringing back "Reaper," the comedy about the Devil's reluctant bounty hunter, at 8 p.m. March 3, where it must do battle with "American Idol" on Fox.

The CW (WTOG, Channel 44) also has set the season finale of "Privileged" for February 24, which is early. The future of this well-written but under-appreciated freshman drama is uncertain. It has been a showcase, however, for Tampa native JoAnna Garcia, who plays an aspiring journalist who becomes nanny to a couple of spoiled, rich sisters.

"90210" (moving over from Mondays) will follow "Reaper" on Tuesdays at 9 beginning March 3. There will be encore episodes through March 24. Eight consecutive original episodes will air from March 31 through the season finale on May 19. Look for Tori Spelling to reprise her role from the original "Beverly Hills, 90210."

BODY COUNT: The NBC telecast of Super Bowl XLIII goes down officially as the second-most-watched Super Bowl in TV history with more than 95 million viewers.

But is that the real total? Because the Nielsen Media Co. doesn't measure audiences in sports bars and doesn't count people who are attending private Super Bowl parties, could the final tally be off?

There are more sports bars than ever, and an increasing number of churches are hosting Super Bowl watching parties for families, including some of mega-churches, so the numbers of uncounted viewers could be significant.

VIDBITS: Sources at the Florida State Fair say the production company that makes "Brooke Knows Best" has called off a taping that was tentatively scheduled for Thursday night. Reportedly, Brooke Hogan was going to appear with Reid Flair, the son of renowned wrestler Ric Flair, but the younger Flair has a stress fracture injury.

• "Katie Couric's 'All Access' Grammy Special" at 9 tonight on CBS previews Sunday's awards show and features interviews with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and Lil Wayne.

Last year at this time, media speculation had Katie out the door by now. But she has bounced back and finally made "CBS Evening News" her own. She turned the corner with some strong Sarah Palin interviews and a more active role on "60 Minutes." Tonight's effort offers the kind of interviews she did on "Today" when she was America's sweetheart. Maybe CBS can use her talents the way ABC calls on Barbara Walters.

TUNE IN TONIGHT

"Life," 9 p.m., NBC

This offbeat cop drama returns to the lineup with new episodes. Charlie (Damien Lewis) investigates the murder of a retired NASA pilot.

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