Like many other American heroes, George Carlin had the
distinction of piquing the attention of the FBI. However, his transgression
wasn't the famed "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television
Monologue," but for cracking wise on bureau chief J. Edgar Hoover. Carlin managed to
get his hands on documents under the Freedom of Information act, including this
gem:

[A memo] dated Feb. 12, 1969, refers to Carlin as an 'alleged comedian'
after he made fun of the bureau during an appearance on 'The Jackie Gleason
Show.'

'His treatment was in very poor taste and it was obvious that he was using
the prestige of the bureau and Mr. Hoover to enhance his performance,' the memo
says.

Besides the Jackie Gleason material? Nothing. Not a peep about the routine
that brought forth the ire of the FCC, culminating in a Supreme Court case.

Let's get our priorities straight, here. Cussing on air is not a matter of
national security. Make fun of a cross-dressing spy director? You're going in
the box.

The writer/director of the Casablanca of alcoholic clown movies is getting some Park City heat this year. Robin Williams takes a most un-family friendly turn in
Goldthwait's World's Greatest Dad as a high school teacher with dreams of
literary stardom. Let's just say the plot kicks into high gear with a case of autoerotic
asphyxiation.

This article also hints at how Goldthwait avoided the
fate of so many other 80's footnotes:

"He recalls the time he went from getting a standing
ovation at a film festival to a few days later being heckled on-stage at a
combination comedy club/seafood restaurant. He makes clear that he has no
bitterness regarding his comedy career, but adds he is much happier to not be
performing."

Perhaps that "staying humble" thing really does
spell longevity in Hollywood.

21 years after the release of his bristling satire Hollywood Shuffle, Robert Townsend was at Sundance to unveil his latest documentary Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy. Originally inspired by luminaries such as Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, the film also casts a gentle eye towards Stepin Fetchit and other controversial figures in black comedy history.

Besides covering the impact of black comedians on mainstream popular culture, the doc also begs the question of what constitutes "the wrong kind of laugh." Here's hoping that Townsend's pic gets picked up by a distributor. 

Idris Elba, best known as Avon Barksdale's lieutenant Stringer Bell in The Wire, is set to guest in at least six episodes of The Office as Michael Scott's new rival.

Elba possesses the best hands-down American accent from any contemporary British actor outside of Hugh Laurie, so I'm intrigued about what comedic chops he'll bring to the table. And hopefully this will save him from making Prom Night 2.

In a shocking strategy that will no doubt warm the blackened spirits of WGA West members, Fox is ordering up more carbon-based comedy series. "We're doubling down our commitment to comedy, and we're rebuilding the live-action comedy brand," says Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly.

Five comedy pilots are slated for the Fall, including a reboot of the sci-fi comedy Boldly Going Nowhere and Virtuality, presumably to pick up disillusioned Big Bang Theory fans. Getting the axe is Prison Break, no doubt a disappointment to its millions of gay and European devotees.

Sadly, King of the Hill won't be making its return either, replaced by Mitch Hurwitz's animated Sit Down, Shut Up in the post-Simpsons slot.

MTV's movie site highlights some comedy-centric offerings from the Sundance Film Festival this year.

First up, "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," adapted, directed by and starring The Office's John Krasinski. I'd like to give this project the benefit of the doubt, especially since John's criticized for everything from his fourth-wall busting smirks to his way with the ladies (Rashida Jones, if you're ever lonely, I will console you). But taking on a David Foster Wallace novel? Someone's gunning for the McSweeney's crowd.

Next up is "Big Fan," which star Patton Oswalt has called the best and worst decision he's ever made. It's about a sports nut who's assaulted by his favorite player and directed by Robert D. Siegel, who wrote The Wrestler. A simple premise with a lot of potential and one of my favorite talents equals win.

There's also "The Killing Room," described as a government experiment thriller that's a cross between Firestarter and The Cube. Wild 'N Out's Nick Cannon apparently slept on the streets to get intimate with his role as a homeless man. Method!

"Indie Comedy Goddess" Kristen Schaal has an interview in the latest Punchline magazine where she fields the ever-elusive "what's 'indie comedy' mean to you?" question, dishes on the latest Flight of the Conchords season and drops news that Penelope: Princess of Pets is getting a TV pilot in the UK. For Penelope neophytes, you can start catching up here.

The former SuperDeluxe series Schaal created with comedy partner Kurt "Best Level 1 Improv Teacher Ever" Braunohler has the green light from Channel 4, aka England's home to The Daily Show. Talking animal puppet comedy fans unite!

Thanks to a stunt during Ptolemy "Man of 1,000 Commercials" Slocum's wedding, the original Neutrino Video Projects are getting the band back together for a night of "how the fuck do they do that?" level improv, Tuesday at 9:30.

If you've never seen a Neutrino show, the format employs three camera crew/acting teams who take to the streets while runners deliver the footage to a magic editing booth. You're watching a movie getting shot, cut and shown on the fly, and aside from Jack McBrayer and Paul Scheer fathering a super baby together this is the improv highlight of the season.

Tickets are available for a mere ten bucks at the Peoples Improv Theater.