Occupation: Foole

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Occupation: Foole
Occupation: Foole cover
Studio album by George Carlin
Released October, 1973
Recorded March 2/3, 1973
Genre Comedy
Length 48:03
Label Little David
Professional reviews
George Carlin chronology
Class Clown
(1972)		 Occupation: Foole
(1973)		 Toledo Window Box
(1974)

Occupation: Foole is the fourth album released by United States comedian George Carlin. It was recorded on March 2 and 3, 1973 at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, California, and released in October of that year. It was later included as part of the 1992 Classic Gold collection, and The Little David Years (1971-1977) box set in 1999.

Much of Occupation: Foole is devoted to Carlin's clever insights on growing up in the Upper West Side of New York City in the 1950's, covering everything from gang culture to school life. The final track, "Filthy Words", is a continuation and expansion of "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" from the previous album, Class Clown.

During the performance of "Filthy Words" Carlin, after reading the news onstage, announces his grammy award for FM & AM to the audience.

The track, "Filthy Words", became the subject of a complaint made to the United States Federal Communications Commission, after it was broadcast uncensored on New York City radio station WBAI on October 30, 1973. Following the lodging of the complaint, the FCC proceeded to ask Pacifica, the owners of WBAI, for a response, then issued a declaratory order upholding the complaint. No specific sanctions were included in the order, but WBAI was put on notice that "in the event subsequent complaints are received, the Commission will then decide whether it should utilize any of the available sanctions it has been granted by Congress." Pacifica appealed this decision, which ultimately made its way to the Supreme Court of the United States. In Federal Communications Commission v. Pacifica Foundation, the Court declared that the FCC has the authority to prohibit broadcasts containing indecent language at hours that could be heard by children.

[edit] Track listing

[edit] Side one

  1. Welcome to My Job – 3:02
  2. Occupation: Foole – 3:41
  3. White Harlem – 4:45
  4. The Hallway Groups – 2:07
  5. Black Consciousness – 2:38
  6. New York Voices – 7:06

[edit] Side two

  1. Grass Swept the Neighborhood – 1:25
  2. Childhood Cliches – 4:04
  3. Cute Little Farts – 5:10
  4. Raisin Rhetoric – 2:06
  5. Filthy Words – 11:30