Used To Be

I'm watching George Carlin's last HBO special, It's Bad For You. I also watched it a few months ago. Each time, I've sat there thinking, "what the hell happened to George Carlin? He used to be funny. Now he's just a cranky old man."

I know he's dead now. He went out real angry. Not believeing in anything. Just a pissed off, cynical old man.

I hope that doesn't happen to me.

Anyway, it led me to think about other people or things that used to be (insert relevance here) and now... what happened to them?

Here are just a few that come to mind:

- David Lee Roth. Used to be the baddest bad boy lead singer in rock. I saw him last year on tour with Van Halen. He's turned into a Vegas Show Girl. What happened? - Chevy Chase. He used to be funny too. What happened? - Promise Keepers. Used to be an organization that packed stadiums. Guys drove around with PK bumper stickers on their Lexuses. What happened? - Arsenio Hall. Used to be everywhere. Eddie's buddy. Challenged Letterman. Now he's making a "come back" hosting something like America's Funniset Home Videos on cable. What happened?

- Letterman?

See how easy it is when you start thinking about it.

Successful brands know that you have to evolve with the times and with people's tastes. Innovators have to keep innovating or they lose relevance. Sometimes that doesn't happen and even the brightest stars flame out.

Who or what are on your Used-To-Be list?

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