“Role models are okay… but don’t have heroes.”
In Episode 387 of Mic’d In New Haven, Officer Joe Badalamente tells the remarkable story of meeting his comedy idol, George Carlin.
He approached Carlin not looking for work, but simply to say thank you — handing him a tape of his stand-up and calling him a hero. Carlin’s response stunned him:
“Don’t have heroes. They’ll disappoint you every time. Role models are okay.”
A month later, Badalamente came home to an answering-machine message he’ll never forget: Carlin had watched the video — and told him to keep doing it.
It’s a story about validation from a legend, the delicate art of blending comedy and social commentary, and a life-changing moment of unexpected encouragement.
Outro Song: The Smiths – Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (1986)
VIEW INTERVIEW HERE:
Mike Colón Media 
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