''Playin' with Your Head'' is the 11th album and fifth HBO special by American comedian

George Carlin George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American comedian, actor, author, and social critic. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time, he was dubbed "the dean of countercu ...

Background

The album was recorded May 2–3, 1986, at the Beverly Theater in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, and was released on July 30, 1986, on the Eardrum/

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

label. It was Carlin's fifth HBO stand-up concert special. In the HBO airing there is a short skit before and after the show in which he flees from three men seeking an envelope in his possession before going on stage. The identities of his pursuers are unknown - the credits before the skit merely dubs them "The Bad Guys" - but are played by

Vic Tayback Victor E. Tayback (January 6, 1930 – May 25, 1990) was an American actor. He is known for his role as Mel Sharples in the film ''Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore'' (1974) and the television series ''Alice'' (1976–1985). The latter earned him t ...

(of '' Alice'' fame),

Rick Ducommun Richard Ducommun (July 3, 1952 – June 12, 2015) was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer. Career One of his earliest television appearances was on ''Star Search'' and as a technician accosted by a scantily-clad dancer near ...

, and Anthony James. Carlin tears the envelope up after the performance, never revealing its contents or why his pursuers wanted it. At the end of the closing credits, the envelope is seen back on the table.

Track listing

References

External links

George Carlin's official website
1980s American television specials 1980s in comedy HBO network specials Stand-up comedy concert films George Carlin live albums Stand-up comedy albums Spoken word albums by American artists Live spoken word albums 1986 live albums 1986 television specials 1980s comedy albums {{1980s-comedy-film-stub