Like so many young men, Mitch Hedberg died before his time. In your wisdom, you took him, lord, like you did so many at Khe San and Lan Doc. Of course, Hedberg didn’t get shot by the man in the black pajamas. He accidentally ODed on drugs. But let that immoderation not preclude him from the hallowed halls of Dudeness — some of the best drug-oriented humor came out of his jazzy, surreal routines. He was one of us. And yet he was truly original at the same time.
We’ve chosen to honor Hedberg today because a posthumous album was only just released. Ironically, the title is “Do You Believe in Gosh?” One imagines Hedberg is sitting at the right hand of “Gosh” right now, sharing a fattie, and cracking him up.
Only two other official albums exist — Strategic Grill Locations and Mitch All Together, but many bootleg recordings of his concerts are available for semi-legal download if you know how to do that sort of a thing. All of them feature his trademark self-mocking, riffing style which tends to praise the values of engineered relaxation, snack foods, and sidestepping the dictates of society, all the while pointing out everyday ironies so bizarre you’d have to be stoned to notice them.
Moreover, unlike other great Dudeist comedians (like Doug Stanhope and George Carlin), Hedberg’s approach was uncommonly sweet and affable. Like The Dude himself, Hedberg proved that sometimes a wry and clever kindness can speak louder than all the “who are these goddamn motherfuckers” in the world. May he chillax in peace.
Mitch Hedberg Albums:
Do You Believe in Gosh?
Strategic Grill Locations
Mitch All Together
I’ll never forget the day I heard he died. I was just pulling up to the gym and had to stop and collect myself before going inside. A sad day indeed.
I’m against picketing, but I don’t know how to show it. -Mitch Hedberg
he was a good man, and sure did like tide.
I like to think he is a race car passanger with “Gosh” as his driver