Only a few days before his death, it was announced that George Carlin would win the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Past recipients of the prize include Steve Martin and Neil Simon) Carlin’s incredible 50.year career was certainly worthy of recognition, so it’s a shame that he’ll never have the opportunity to receive the award. George Carlin was a man who examined his life and the world around him in a way that is rarely seen these days. He forever changed stand up comedy and was a key figure in transforming it from an amusing diversion into a legitimate art form. He will be sincerely missed, but his impact on comedy will never be forgotten.–PB, News Extensions