Arts and entertainment briefs: George Carlin, Jay White

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 11:19 a.m.

November is Carlin month

George Carlin’s gone, but his humor lives.

The legendary comic died in June, not long after celebrating 50 years in show business and soon after it was announced he would receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Carlin died in June, but he’s almost as busy as ever.

Last week, the “Lost Album, Carlin on Campus” made its CD debut. The album was the first title released by the comedian on his own label Eardrum Records, whose motto was “Stick It In Your Ear.” in 1984. That also was the title of his fourth HBO special. On Nov. 25 his final HBO special from March 2008, “It’s Bad For Ya,” will be released by MPI Home Video. The DVD includes a 30 minute feature titled “Too Hip For the Room,” which is a candid interview conducted by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation’s Archive of American Television program where Carlin speaks about his early influences, philosophy, comedic style, major career milestones, and his legacy.

During his half century career, Carlin starred in an unprecedented 14 HBO specials spanning four decades and released 22 solo albums (18 stand-up albums and 4 audio books), which have been nominated for Grammy Awards ten times and taken home the coveted prize four times. Carlin often performed in Las Vegas, at The Orleans the past few years. His final performance was at that venue on June 15, one week before he died of a heart attack.

Jay White petitions to put Neil Diamond in Rock Hall

Neil Diamond tribute artist Jay White, who headlines at the Riviera, has launched a petition drive to have Diamond inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“I was shocked to learn that Neil is not already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” White said. “Neil is one of the most successful singer-songwriters of the past half century. He has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and ranks third on the list of most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand. There’s no question he belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

White said Diamond fans can sign the petition at AmericasDiamondLive.com between now and Jan. 2 when the petition and signatures will be forwarded to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. The Jan. 2 date coincides with a Las Vegas concert by Diamond.

Fans can also sign the petition at the Riviera during White’s performance at 7 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

They also can sign the petition at KSNE-FM 106.5, by going to ksne.com.

The Vegas radio station is giving away tickets to Diamond’s Jan. 2 concert as well as tickets to White’s show at the Riviera. White has performed as Diamond in more than 8,000 shows in five countries including more than 1,000 shows over the past five years at the Riviera. He is the only tribute artist with Neil Diamond’s personal endorsement.