‘George Carlin’s American Dream’ Trailer: Judd Apatow Covers The Career Of The Iconic Comedian In A New Doc

While many film fans know Judd Apatow from being the writer-director of some massive comedy films such as “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” the filmmaker actually started out as a stand-up comic. And because of that, you can see how he honors the craft of stand-up comedy in the film “Funny People,” as well as putting the spotlight on legends such as in the doc, “The Zen Diaries of Gary Shandling.” Now, Apatow is ready to showcase perhaps the most famous stand-up of them all, George Carlin.

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As seen in the trailer for “George Carlin’s American Dream,” Judd Apatow is co-directing, alongside Michael Bonfiglio, a two-part documentary about the life and career of George Carlin. The iconic comedian is probably best known for bits about seven dirty words and his observations on religion and society at large. Carlin also appeared in a number of film and TV projects, and as mentioned, is considered one of the best and most subversive comedians to ever live. 

As you might expect from a George Carlin documentary, the film will feature a ton of interview and archival footage, as well as talking-head appearances from folks such as Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt, Stephen Colbert, Bill Burr, Bette Midler, W. Kamau Bell, Sam Jay, Judy Gold, Jon Stewart, and others.

“George Carlin’s American Dream” will debut on HBO and HBO Max in May. You can watch the trailer below. 

Here’s the synopsis:

GEORGE CARLIN’S AMERICAN DREAM chronicles the life and work of legendary comedian George Carlin. Dubbed the “dean of counterculture comedians,” Carlin’s career spanned half a century during which he headlined 14 HBO comedy specials and appeared on “The Tonight Show” over 130 times, constantly evolving with the times and staying sharply resonant up until his death in 2008 and beyond.  Carlin’s ability to zoom in on societal ills has proven eerily prophetic and much of his work resonates today with alarming (and still hilarious) clarity. The documentary examines a cultural chameleon who is remembered as one of the most influential stand-up comics of all time.