The estate of George Carlin is taking legal action against the creators of a “comedy special” that allegedly utilized “AI” technology to produce content featuring the late comedy icon without permission. The special, titled “George Carlin: I’m Glad I was Dead,” was released by the comedy radio show Dudesy and has sparked controversy for its unauthorized use of Carlin’s likeness and material.
George Carlin, who passed away at the age of 71 in 2008, is portrayed in the special through various images and attempts to mimic his distinctive humor. The estate of Carlin, led by Jerold Hamza, has filed a lawsuit in California, asserting that the production infringes on Carlin’s copyrights and rights to his likeness.
The lawsuit targets Dudesy LLC, radio hosts May Sasso and Chad Kultgen, as well as unidentified individuals, referred to as John Does, involved in the creation of the special. The complaint alleges that the defendants unlawfully utilized Carlin’s image and copyrighted material in the AI-generated content without authorization.
“I’m Glad I was Dead” is criticized in the lawsuit for being a non-creative, computer-generated imitation that devalues Carlin’s comedic legacy and harms his reputation. The legal action aims to seek damages, including punitive measures, court fees, and an injunction against the special to prevent further dissemination.
The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of preserving Carlin’s artistic integrity and warns against the potential negative impact of such unauthorized reproductions on his legacy and influence, particularly among younger audiences unfamiliar with his authentic work.
