HBO has long served as a venue for the late comedian George Carlin to exercise his First Amendment rights. It’s Bad For Ya is Carlin’s 14th and final HBO special.

Also included on the disc is an interview with the comedian in which he explains how he went from a performer who wrote his own material to a writer who performed his material. The distinction perfectly sums up Carlin’s output in later years. He’s not so much telling jokes as taking on the world.

All of Carlin’s pet topics are touched on: religion, American hypocrisy, but death pervades the entire set. His frank acceptance of his own death lends his words greater weight and validates his career-long battle against superstition and denial.

Grade: A

George Carlin: It’s Bad For Ya [Blu-ray] is currently available.