George Carlin’s estate sues over fake AI comedy special ‘I’m Glad I’m Dead’

The lawsuit argues that the AI-generated special infringes on George Carlin's copyright and is actively harming the late comic's legacy.

The estate of comic legend George Carlin is suing a media company responsible for an AI-generated comedy special that recreated the voice and style of the late stand-up comedian.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday asks that a judge order the podcast outlet, Dudesy, to immediately take down the hour-long audio special, “George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead,” in which a synthesis of Carlin, who died in 2008, delivers commentary on current events. The lawsuit is also seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, shared her feelings on the special in a statement: “I understand and share the desire for more George Carlin. I, too, want more time with my father.”

“The ‘George Carlin’ in that video is not the beautiful human who defined his generation and raised me with love. It is a poorly-executed facsimile cobbled together by unscrupulous individuals to capitalize on the extraordinary goodwill my father established with his adoring fanbase.”

The comedy special was released on the Dudesy YouTube channel, which is hosted by Canadian comedian Will Sasso and podcaster Chad Kultgen. Both hosts were listed as defendants along with Dudesy LLC.

At the beginning of the hour-long video, released two weeks ago, a generic AI voice identifies itself as Dudesy to introduce the special. The voiceover then switches into a voice eerily similar to that of Carlin’s while telling jokes and musing on topics like religion, politics and the comedian’s own death.

“I’m Dudesy, a comedy AI, and I’m excited to share my second hour-long comedy special with you! I’m calling it ‘George Carlin: I’m Glad I’m Dead!’ For the next hour I’ll be doing my best George Carlin impersonation just like a human being would,” the video starts.

“I listened to all of George Carlin’s material and did my best to imitate his voice, cadence and attitude as well as the subject matter I think would have interested him today.”