7 Dirty Words: The Life And Crimes Of George Ca... Apr 2026

Carlin didn't just talk about these words; he performed them in places that challenged the status quo:

The "crimes" of George Carlin essentially built the framework for modern broadcasting. The Supreme Court's ruling established the period (10 PM to 6 AM), during which more adult content is permitted on broadcast television and radio. 7 Dirty Words: The Life and Crimes of George Ca...

In 1973, a father complained after hearing a broadcast of the routine on WBAI-FM in New York while driving with his son. This led to the Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation (1978). The court ruled 5-4 that the government could regulate "indecent" (though not necessarily "obscene") material on public airwaves during hours when children might be listening. The Legacy: The "Safe Harbor" Rules Carlin didn't just talk about these words; he