His untimely and unfortunate death notwithstanding, George Carlin was not a great comedian (“A Standup Guy Who Broke All the Rules,” Joan Rivers, June 24).

I remember him as a talented humorist, making light of things most people could relate to with a good laugh.

Then he went the way of Lenny Bruce, and turned into a hateful, vulgar and unfunny performer.

The same thing happened to Richard Pryor.

Indeed, all three of them contributed to the social and political infection of comedy and the boomer generation. But what a waste.

Daniel B. Jeffs, Apple Valley, Calif.

Have you noticed how the word “irreverent” has become a substitute for indulging in profanity?

Daniel Miller, Armonk

Carlin was a clever, sometimes even brilliant, comic.

However, anyone who saw any of his recent performances witnessed a bitter, hateful and sad man. His inner demons, whatever they were, permeated his act, making it almost unwatchable.

I hope that Carlin once again finds his way to laughter in a place that he ridiculed as nonexistent. God bless, George.

Tom Mulhearn, Nanuet