Abbott and Costello - WHO'S ON FIRST? REACTION!! | OFFICE BLOKES REACT!!

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[@paulobrien9572]

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are the only 2 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who are not associated with the sport be it a player, manager owner writer or other executive

[@gregmorrell3136]

Well they aren't actual members of the Hall of Fame, but this sketch is honored there.

[@craigplatel813]

The sketch plays on a continuous loop.

[@imamisfit445]

Who is the HOF?

[@paulobrien9572]

@@imamisfit445 What is the HOF Personally IDK he's on third

[@timothykscarborough7047]

@@paulobrien9572 ha! ha,!ha!😆😆😆

[@user-lf7nf3kl7t]

Widely regarded as the greatest comedy routine ever written. I cannot argue that myself, it sure has stood the test of time, and is just overall a unique piece of writing.

[@GaiaOne]

You absolutely nailed it.

[@Spacejockey426]

I would add to that "overall a unique piece of writing and performance."

[@RobwLPOC]

Bud Abbott's own brother thought it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard and told them nobody would ever laugh in it because it was just stupid 🤣

[@MarioRamos-wr3sp]

Classic comedy bit. Still funny to this day. Their timing is impecable.

[@frozengamer3030]

Timing is everything

[@Duane_Grabert]

Funny thing is that these 2 hated each other behind the scenes.

[@Amaberean]

@@Duane_Grabert No they didn’t. A little bit later toward the latter part of their careers, yeah. Much more so was Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. Lewis was total jealous of Deans multi talents.

[@mmka1]

@@Duane_Grabert The partnership disintegrated when Lou Costello started insisting that he be paid more than Bud Abbot.

[@user-sv9nb8ky2t]

​@@mmka1iirc, bud abbott also had trouble with alcohol

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

The fact that this has modern comedy fans genuinely laughing is such a testament to how well done this is.

[@Anubis78250]

It really is that it's "well done". The actual comedy of the writing wears thin after the first couple lines, yet the way they carry it throughout the act keeps you rolling in laughter.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@Anubis78250 Yeah It did. I saw another versino of this, it says in the title "most widely known version" or some shit but the other one I saw was better actually I thought. Maybe it's just nostalgia bias since it was the first time I had seen the skit done for real. I've always known about it but never seen it until not that long ago actually.

[@Houd_Vast]

Abbot and Costello is the best, and that’ll never change

[@ggmm6182]

@@djjazzyjeff1232 good comedy is good comedy regardless of when it comes out,

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@ggmm6182 Facts, same with good music, and good movies, but the problem is good movies and good music can be so dated feeling that it is a drawback, I was worried comedy is the same way.

[@helgar791]

The speed, the timing, the error free dialogue, the acting, all combine to make this a classic. There have been many attempts to replicate this routine but no one comes close to recreating this with all of the aspects done well. These two guys had been doing this routine for perhaps 30-40 years and it shows. Watch them do the routine "13x7 is 23" and "Dice Game". Classic bits done by professionals without profanity or sexual allusions.

[@ericfisher4736]

One of the best aspects of this routine is that because it revolves around confusion and simplistic language, even if they mess up they can recover or improvise their way back on track rather effortlessly without tipping off the audience. Eventually they remember all the best bits and do it so often that they could probably do it in their sleep, but the pressure is way less for them because they still have the freedom to improvise new dialogue if they want/need to. This also makes it very difficult to replicate because if you try to do it off of a script then you confine yourself to a rigid dialogue that removes the freedom that the original performers had.

[@lappingmatch]

arguably Johnny Carson with his "President Regan & Jim Baker" Routine on his Tonight Show, came in a close contendor. (My opinion of course, but the original I stand by your thoughts)

[@nancysexton4364]

​@@lappingmatch Recently saw a rerun of the "copper clapper" bit Carson did w/Jack Webb. Back when late nite TV was still entertainment.

[@steeljawX]

I wouldn't say that it's error free dialogue. Just about every version I've seen of this has been slightly different and that's it actually being Abbott and Costello. They just have free enough dialogue that any errors can be re-railed really easily. I've seen/heard versions where Costello is the one who starts on about the paychecks and others where it's Abbott instead. As you saw in this one, Abbott was attempting to start that bit, but Costello was on a roll, so he instigated it instead. I'm not saying you're wrong in anyway, they just have a clear routine and they have it down so well that they can afford to improvise as much as they want and they know the limits to when to stop improvising and get back to the joke.

[@phineaspepper3530]

The 13x7 is 23 is so funny!

[@amybennett8447]

This was done in front a live audience. One take, no cuts...pure genius!

[@josephcox178]

Office Blokes React, love your reactions. FYI, Abbott And Costello made got their start in Vaudeville. they then went to radio from there, then finally the Silver Screen. Check out the contract scene between Groucho and Chico from "A Night At The Opera" and the Ma And Pa Kettle sketch 14x5=25. Pure Comedy Gold. I'll find more for you gents to enjoy. Cheers!

[@smw4628]

The amount of practice it took to be able to do this on stage had to be amazing. This still holds up after all these years.

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

They toured on the vaudeville circuit for decades before TV came around. They perfected this over hundreds of hours of performances!

[@TheHillbilly8757]

"Now, that's the first thing you've said right all day." "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT !!!"

[@miamidolphinsfan]

This was comedy GOLD ! It's 70 years old (at least) and yet it's STILL hilarious!

[@williamjordan5554]

That particular filming seems to be 50's quality.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

@@williamjordan5554 yep I believe this was taken from their 1950's TV show

[@timpwhit]

@@williamjordan5554 The hairstyles and their outfits all scream "50's" as well.

[@drtidrow]

they'd probably been doing versions of it for close to twenty years when this was filmed, so they had it down pat by this point.

[@cjvs1604]

I believe the first time this bit was played on radio was in 1938, making the bit over 85 years old.

[@captainbirch2.079]

A classic comedy routine. Still gets me to this day

[@TheCosmicGenius]

This is a very old routine, originally from Vaudeville. Abbott & Costello perfected it. They performed it several times, live as well as on radio & film - this version is from the television series they had in the 1950s.

[@nathanlawson313]

It was also in their movie, "The Naughty Nineties"

[@BuffaloC305]

I'd suggest "performed it a thousand times or more. Maybe 2-3000..."

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

They played it around 30 times at this point. That’s a bit more than “several”.

[@hrussell9677]

This has actually been put into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. They have a special screening room for this sketch at the HoF.

[@JackNoetz]

This is amazing 😂 I didn't know that, but I love it that that's a thing 👌

[@brettg274]

“7x13=28”’is one of my favorite Abbott & Costello skits. These guys were huge back in the day. Universal Studios had their Monster Cinematic Universe, the equivalent of today’s MCU, and Abbott & Costello were so big that they did crossover movies with those movies.

[@backseatpolitician]

Dude I hope they do that one next.

[@kirbyculp3449]

'Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man' is comedy plantinum.

[@davidpo5517]

Meet Frankenstein was a favorite

[@VulcanHeStan]

"Smart Math" is my absolute favourite routine they have ever done, eith the craps routine as second. Whos on First is my third favourite.

[@captainspaullding]

'Who's on 1st' is an exhibition in comedy timing. It's comedy stripped down to the chassis. It's an essential part of any comedy geeks toolkit. Jerry Seinfeld speaks about this routine at length.

[@Talius10]

Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers, and The Three Stooges...all great old time comedy.

[@jimnicosia5934]

When I was a kid I watched this show religiously. It was all live. Two comic geniuses.

[@trylikeafool]

I’m around Dave’s age, but absolutely LOVE older black and white entertainment. Some of the best stuff ever made is from that era. Don’t sell it short.

[@Oleandra-13]

I grew up watching the classic movie channels, and I still adore Danny Kaye as a comedic actor.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@Oleandra-13 Jimmy Stewart is one of them for me. I remember when I was a kid, in my American History class around about grade 7, at the end of the chapter about Congress and filibusters and stuff our teacher showed that movie and I was like, "Oh great an old shitty movie." And even as an apathetic 7th grader I was like wait this movie is actually kinda good. Then I learned about the widespread love for It's a Wonderful Life and then some of his other movies, they just blew me away with how good they are especially when you think about the technology they were dealing with back then, or lack thereof, but anyway, I'm kinda rambling now. Lol

[@devenscience8894]

@@Oleandra-13 Speaking of Danny Kaye, The Court Jester is one of my favorite comedies, and probably is my very favorite musical.

[@Oleandra-13]

@@devenscience8894 It was, to me, a masterpiece. It really had some great vaudeville flair!

[@Oleandra-13]

@@devenscience8894 It was, to me, a masterpiece. It really had some great vaudeville flair!

[@chadbailey7038]

Abbot and Costello, Laurel and Hardy all the 1 straight-man/one-liner comedy stuff is GOLD ✨ too me 😂 never ages! I’m crying laughing 🤣

[@brandi_with_an_i]

Such a classic!!!!! Abbott & Costello are simply American classics. Thank you for the reaction!!

[@ronaldmcboggled9855]

Abbot & Costello 7x13=23 is also a good one.

[@rolandbaird758]

It's 28

[@marksavoie5350]

They were the #1 comedy team of the 1940’s and big movie stars, they made a number of ww2 comedy war films helping the government sell war bonds to help fund the war effort, they also toured army bases to help boost morale. Check out Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

[@williambill5172]

Great pick! These guys are the GOATS with many routines no one else would even try because of the timing involved...!

[@willvr4]

They must have practiced this a million times to get this down to perfection without stumbling on a single word. An absolute classic bit.

[@gregmartin2404]

I’m 32 years old and my Dad had a cassette tape of Abbot and Costello bits when I was a kid. He would play them when we were in his truck and I’d always make him play Who’s on First. I was probably 6 or 7 when I first heard it and some how I totally understood then everything they were talking about.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Bud and Lou are the only non-baseball players, commentators, managers ....ever inducted in the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown. Even after all these years,...it still makes me laugh!! They never break during the whole routine! This was done Live... in front of a studio audience as well as being on tv! They were masters of timing!

[@JerodM]

They were never inducted into the hall of fame. This sketch is played in the museum to honor its popularity and timelessness.

[@LordGdawg]

Now you gotta do 13 x 7 = 23! Another Abbott and Costello classic skit.

[@hifijohn]

A Dodgers player in 2007 called Chin-Lung Hu made it to first!! life imitating art.and there have a been a few players name watt/watts, so watts on second must have happened.and there is a pitcher named Brandon Morrow. if his parents only had named him tom.

[@Notsosweetstevia]

If only they had thrown the ball TO Morrow

[@sonnydortmund1513]

GREAT comment !!! 🙌🏻

[@theloneranger8725]

This is indeed true. Reportedly, the announcer said at the time that he had been waiting for decades for the opportunity to say, "Hu's on first."

[@oscarantoniomoreno5247]

Hu's on first?

[@blackwatchcommander104]

@@oscarantoniomoreno5247 naturally

[@imamisfit445]

Thats probably the most famous skit of all time. Its a classic!

[@barbieg33]

I'm a millenial that LOVES the old stuff. Intelligent comedy, hip hip hooray! 🎊 👏

[@catherinelw9365]

You're a rare one! Most Millenials refuse to watch anything that was made before they were born. Very short sighted. You will end up being far more cultured than any of them.

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

When in I was a kid in the 70s I watched 1940s Abbot & Costello movies every Sunday morning. They were incredible productions from comedy to musical acts. They even had a horror movie with the actual actors who played Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman. Abbot & Costello meet the Monster.

[@Ottohagop]

I watched Abbot & Costello and the Little Rascals before school from 1st grade - to 4th grade almost every day. Was a great way to start the day.

[@lizetteolsen3218]

I watch them on the weekend too-- loved those movies

[@ednafenton7558]

Don't forget "Ma and Pa Kettle", "Francis the Talking Mule", Shirley Temple movies and Kukla, Fran and Ollie. Back then you only had 3 channels but they played great movies.

[@traceythompson1092]

Slowly I turned, step by step........

[@Ottohagop]

@@traceythompson1092 It was in Niagara Falls, NIAGARA FALLS!

[@strider9184]

I grew up with Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis and The Marx Brothers. So good to see you guys reacting to this. Brings back memories

[@lizmorganjake]

My favorite part of this is as the routine goes on, they both say "third base" everytime one of them says "I don't know". Can't keep the other names straight, but always knows third base 😀

[@theabstracthour178]

I grew up with a mom who was already in her early 50’s when I was a toddler so I watched this since I was a baby along with listening to the Beatles and such.

[@larrybaby9377]

In fact, chaps, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are the only non-ball players ever to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and it was on the basis of this sketch. It was also performed in one of their movies, made in the 40s, and many times on stage. It is a legendary piece of mid-century comedy and of American culture, and, i think it must be said, a must-know piece of humour. Absolutely Ronnies Corbett and Barker would have been intimate with this piece and with all their work. I have heard Ronnie Corbett discuss his awareness of American comics like Bob Hope and others, with encyclopaedic detail. He certainly knew Abbott and Costello.

[@danielhaynes2373]

Never gets old 😂. While this performance was from 1953, they originally first performed it on a radio program in either 1940 or '41. Hilarious!!!

[@steveo4749]

Vaudeville too.

[@danielhaynes2373]

@@steveo4749 Absolutely! Thanks for reminding me!

[@dariowiter3078]

Yes, from their television show that aired from 1952 to 1954. 😁

[@00ddub]

The first time they did this skit was on live radio, no cuts, just pure genius and talent.

[@MagetaTheLionHeart]

Arguably the best bit of comedy ever written. As a theatre major I had teachers using this bit in lessons.

[@Cheryworld]

Vaudeville. Comics acting out a routine, not telling a series of jokes. They were the best

[@joeday4293]

This. They were almost more like jazz musicians improvising off each other, but using a handful of stock phrases. If one said the one thing, it cued the other to say the other - but you still recognize the tune. There are quite a lot of different versions of this routine out there, and they are all different from each other, although you will hear the same phrases used each time.

[@warrengwonka2479]

@@joeday4293apparently they never did it exactly the same way twice.

[@user-rz2ht9pv3n]

I'm 64 years old. Been hearing this all my life. Never gets old.

[@rileyfam]

A great comedy team! Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy, Martin & Lewis, The Three Stooges, all great old comedians.

[@milesromine9960]

Never forget George Burns and Gracie Allen

[@shwicaz]

Those comedians from 'back in the day' surely had it going on. You can listen to a Jack Benny radio show from the 30's and be laughing your butt off because his comedy is so timeless. Glad you enjoyed Abbot and Costello. I knew they would win you over.

[@jkrogs1843]

The greatest and most popular comedy routine of all time.

[@nickthedreamer4434]

Abbott and Costello are an absolute powerhouse of older-day comedy. I highly recommend watching any skits you can like "7x13", "Loafing," "The Lemon Game," and "Dice."

[@seansimms8503]

I was born in the 1970s but my parents were born in the 1930s...The Honeymooners, Albert and Castello, the Stoogies, all golden....almost forgot, Britains own Benny Hill.

[@SaharaSweetDesert]

Omg!!! I never thought anyone was into them like I am. I remember my great grandmother showing me these two when I was a kid and this was always my favorite skit!! Love you guys for this! Keep being awesome!!

[@erickyoung8331]

This one is sort of a part of American history, so you might like "13x7=23" even better. Another classic bit from them but without needing the layer of nostalgia for old-time baseball.

[@shaun374]

The timing, the speed, the back-and-forth, it's a master class in comedy. Even if someone didn't find it funny (I don't know how), you'd have to be very impressed with the amount of practice and skill this took.

[@GetRidOfCivilAssetForfeiture]

What makes this skit great is their timing and how they never stumbled or missed a beat.

[@LancerX916]

They and The Three Stooges were the best in that era. They did a lot of funny things back then.

[@damon5894]

I can't believe you didn't immediately think of KEY & PEELE when trying to think of double acts haha

[@nathanlawson313]

Genius... They dont make em like this anymore. Another classic of theirs, "7×13=28". Must see

[@antonnym214]

There are a hundred great moments in that bit. MY favorite part is when Lou joins in by saying "Third base" along with Bud, even though he doesn't know the reason for that. It's conditioning! ROFL. Just love this. Thank you!

[@TimpossibleOne]

The Sklar brothers are a standup comedy duo. Also, Keith and Kenny Lucas are also a twin standup act. And who could forget the Smothers Brothers?

[@moose2577]

Garfunkel and Oates

[@wildcolonialboyakawild7465]

President Franklin Roosevelt's favorite comedy routine - left him roaring with laughter.

[@Eric-cj7ph]

My favorite part is that they do this so seamlessly and without laughing themselves.

[@vernhoke7730]

I remember watching this as a kid on a Saturday morning, I'm not that old. Abbot and Costello show used to play some of their best skits back in the sixties and early seventies.

[@marcomcdowell8861]

I've watched 12 straight different react vids to this skit and it's interesting how many didn't get the wordplay involved. And yes, I laughed at all 12 viewings because it's downright hilarious!

[@AndieO]

You haven't live till you've seen Abbott and Costello Meet The Monsters. One of my all time favourites.

[@joshsmith302]

Their best bit for me. Abbott and Costello,-(7x13=28). Keep up the good work 😎👍.

[@momD612]

Classic! Those were the days of great comedy. 🤣🥰🥰

[@walrusjax]

This is the most genius, greatest comedy skit of all time, and is almost 100 years old.

[@GaiaOne]

Impeccable writing. It's a classic for a reason.

[@debbienockels3796]

It’s a classic bit of comedy that still has me in stitches every time I watch it - and what’s really amazing is how long they can draw it out and still make us laugh!

[@timgillam7964]

I was a big Abbott and Costello fan when I was younger. Of their theatrical films, this skit appeared in its entirety in only one, The Naughty Nineties (1945), though it appears in part in One Night in the Tropics (1940). My favorite skit of theirs was "you're 40, she's 10"

[@goatitisful]

Dave's inner monologue: "I'm just gonna smile and pretend that I am entertained by this old man stuff"

[@josephrestino3593]

Best comedy team in the US. They began in vaudeville 1936 as a team due to their need of partners and timing during performance. They moved on to radio on The Kate Smith Show. She is famous for singing “God Bless America”. This is where “Who’s On First” was first heard across the country. Later, Hollywood called to put the team in pictures. Buck Privates, In The Navy, Hold That Ghost, Hit The Ice, The Coeds, The Time of Their Lives, African Screams………and then Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars, Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy, Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Cops, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Plenty more pictures to list. They split in 1956 due to arguments. Lou Costello died in 1958 result heart failure.Bud Abbott died in 1974 due to age.

[@Fireplug52]

I believe the first time watching Abbott and Costello - Who's On First, was over fifty years ago. I laughed so hard then and though they are no longer alive I still laugh hard every time I watch it. Classic comedy.

[@ESUSAMEX]

This is from 1952 I believe. And to think they did this whole skit in one take. Incredible!

[@WillVafuth]

To put this in UK terms, Abbott & Costello were the 1940s US version of Fry & Laurie. This particular skit was from The Abbott & Costello Show episode "The Actor's Home" which by that time, the duo had performed the routine dozens of time including for President Franklin Roosevelt several times... and they rarely performed it exactly the same way twice

[@jimhoyt5]

I really dislike it when people say they don't like black and white, when some of the greatest films and TV shows are in black and white. I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Andy Griffith, Ir's a Wonderful Life, Citizen Kane, Young Frankenstein, Casablanca, Psycho, Arsenic and Old Lace, Harvey, and too many more to list here.

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

Classic comedy that stays funny no matter how many times you watch it. You don't need any curse words, vulgar gestures, or adult theme to get a laugh. You got Abbott an Costello, Lauren an Hardy, Dean Martin an Jerry Lewis, the Three Stooges, Marx brothers, and my personal favorite Red Skeleton. They was the talented comedian stars of their time.

[@DoggieFosters]

In the 80s I was sitting with another girl on the stairs when a teacher about 65 yrs old squeezed past us and headed down. I said to my teenaged friend, "Okay let's go again" and we launched into this routine. For no reason. Just to amuse ourselves & each other. The teacher put on the brakes, backed up and turned to stare at us with his mouth open in astonishment. The look on his face was hilarious. This skit is FAMOUS in the US.

[@Thomas_Leo]

I can just imagine how difficult and coordinated they had to be to do this bit.

[@erickyoung8331]

Having seen a few renditions of it, they actually wobble a few times (comparing the slight differences of a line here and there), but they are such pros and have this down so pat, they just repeat the setup again and fix it so smoothly you don't even notice.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I wonder how rigid it is or how much is left for improv. I'm guessing it's got an outline and they just sort of wing it and rely on their improv skills for the timing and how long to stay in which bit and stuff.

[@karenward267]

I’m a Brit living in the US. When I first heard this skit I knew nothing about baseball. Good comedy transcends countries and types of games an we are all one enjoying an incredibly well-written, well-rehearsed skit.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

This routine was perfected over many stage performances like this before they got into television and movies and made it big. Today comedians don’t have to work as hard at their routines before they get the big payday.

[@michaelboyce9373]

Bud Abbott And Lou Costello were the greatest duo comedians ever! That is the TV theme.

[@professorsypher6174]

Abbot and Costello were the grandfathers of the "straight man/funny man" routine. They defined this style of duo act back then, and their influence can be clearly seen today.

[@robertdanyus6836]

Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were 2 acrobatic comedians of silent movies

[@robertdanyus6836]

The skit was performed in 1954 and the context of humor has totally changed

[@rollomaughfling380]

There's someone offstage hitting a wooden block when Costello mimes hitting his head with a bat. There's another device for physical comedy with two thin wooden slats that make a smacking sound when struck that you'd recognize if you've ever seen a Punch & Judy show. It's called a slapstick, and that's where the style of comedy gets its name.

[@Marktk72]

Mike, "I was in the audience"! LOL! I saw this a long time ago. Honestly, I forgot what a classic this skit was! Brilliant! 🌟

[@christopherholley8164]

This skit is so iconic that when I was in highschool in the early 90s this was in our literature textbooks as an example of classic American comedy. We would perform it in class every year. There is another version of this that's more up to date by Jeff Dunham called Peanuts Password Panic.

[@richarddeese1087]

Abbott & Costello were the ultimate expression of the old Vaudville 'bamboozle' - at least as it translated to radio, tv, & film. Unlike a baseball, they were seamless. tavi.

[@willardwooten9582]

I grew up to Bud & Lou doing skits on shows and also their silly comedy movies as Abbott & Costello meets Frankenstein or the Mummy and many others.

[@robynbrune3883]

The best! Stands the test of time. When there is a bit of clutter happening, it isn't uncommon to hear someone say "Who's on first?"

[@jimgreen5788]

As was alluded to at the beginning, they were doing this routine so fast. In conjunction with that, they never messed up their lines. I can't imagine how long they had to rehearse this routine before they were ready to do it for the first time on stage. Also, did you notice that there wasn't one time when a 4-letter word got into this routine? Those were the days. Have you ever seen another of their routines--13 x 7 = 28? Also hilarious!

[@sopwithpuppy]

As English/British chaps, you'd be more familiar with the game of cricket. There was a test match between England and the West Indies. The West Indian Michael Holding was bowling, and the English batsman Peter Willey was batting and defending his wicket. The commentator blurted out "The bowler is Holding, the batsman's Willey" An absolute classic.

[@officeblokedaz]

Remember that. 👍🏻😂

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Greatness has no expiration date. This will be a top 10 comedy bit of all time in 4355. Amazing timing and talent

[@michaelboyce9373]

This clip is being shown non stop at the Baseball Hall Of Fame! It was started in 1937,and the Last performance was in 1959.

[@LeannWebb61]

Those comics from the early-mid 20th century were the best.

[@TheRobotDevil]

I love the Animaniac's parody of this "Who's on stage"; its how i first learned about this classic bit.

[@JohnSmith-oj6ir]

by the time this was filmed, Abbott and Costello had done this routine thousands of times in their vaudeville and nightclub acts. They made some excellent movies - check out Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. They tried TV and had a show for a couple of years in the mid fifties.

[@buckfan1969]

I've read started somewhere in vaudeville early in the 20th century, but Abbott & Costello mastered it. This is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[@likespinningpats]

The Lucas brothers are twins that do standup together. That's the only modern example of a stage duo that I can think of.

[@chello1197]

That routine is in the BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. One of the all time classics.

[@thewildgoose7467]

If you like this type of comedy there's a great film called "The Sunshine Boys" starring Walter Matthau and George Burns. It's about an old vaudeville double act who had a falling out and hate each other being brought together for a tv special.

[@hifijohn]

very funny movie "he gave me da finga"!!!

[@auapplemac1976]

In the US there have been many comedic twosomes - Abbott and Costello made lots of movies, played nightclubs and TV. One of the most famous teams was Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Again, nightclubs, many movies in the 50s and each had their own TV shows and movies after they split up. Martin was a very good singer - sold tons of recordings. The Smothers Brothers in the 70s had a hit TV show trending towards more political humor as well as brother vs brother sketches. Then from vaudeville into the 50s there was the husband and wife duo Burns and Allen - movies and long running radio and then TV show. There were others through the years especially on TV, but none had the staying power of the above. Of course, as you mentioned Laurel & Hardy belong in this group.

[@you_can_call_me_T]

Classic! If you wanna go deep into the old school comedy rabbit hole, check out Burns and Allen.

[@mjbartholomew5317]

incredible performance by the blokes.

[@RedWhiteAndBlue4evr1]

Part of the reason that skit is so good is that the audience actually gets anxious for Lou

[@williambanks2223]

The duo rehearsed and did this but so many times they could drop into it seamlessly. This is a classic that endures the test of time.