He often commented on American political issues and satirized American culture. From the late 1980s onwards, his routines focused on sociocultural criticism of American society. The first of Carlin's 14 stand-up comedy specials for HBO was filmed in 1977, broadcast as George Carlin at USC. Pacifica Foundation, in which a 5–4 decision affirmed the government's power to censor indecent material on public airwaves. His ' seven dirty words' routine was central to the 1978 United States Supreme Court case F.C.C. He was known for his black comedy and reflections on politics, the English language, psychology, religion, and taboo subjects. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time, he was dubbed 'the dean of counterculture comedians'. George Denis Patrick Carlin (– June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic.