I was kind of surprised when I read the article this morning. I say kind of because he had been battling health problems for a few years. I didn't always find his later comedy funny, but his early stuff was hilarious. Even his later stuff still showed a sharp mind and quick wit.
The article referenced his Playboy interview in 2005:
"Carlin told Playboy in 2005 that he looked forward to an afterlife where he could watch the decline of civilization on a "heavenly CNN."
"The world is a big theater-in-the round as far as I'm concerned, and I'd love to watch it spin itself into oblivion," he said. "Tune in and watch the human adventure."
Sounds like he's gone in search of that ringside seat...