Abbott and Costello Whos on First | REACTION

[@billsmith513]

I laughed my head off when I first heard it 65 years ago, still as funny today. One of the best comedy routines of all time.

[@speedy01247]

it was funny 65 years ago and its likely to remain funny 65 years from now.

[@jorgeclaudio-boza4584]

True that these young generation don't know about being funny

[@thomaspaccione7214]

You will never find 2 people that had better comedic timing than those two.

[@TheKyrix82]

It doesn't hurt that by the time of this recording, the routine was well rehearsed

[@SingDanceKC]

60 years ago a gold record of this routine by Abbott and Costello joined the bronze plaques at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and well deserved too. It's a classic!

[@jackp8583]

I did not know that. Very cool that their routine was recognized in that way. 👍

[@SueProst]

It also plays continuously at Cooperstown

[@dinosaurgokart778]

@@SueProst Last time I was there, people would frequently stop and watch it a few times in a row. We did too.

[@SueProst]

@@dinosaurgokart778 That's awesome. I saw this as a kid many years ago.

[@mrmjb1960]

The kinoscope of this is still being run at the Hall Of .Fame.

[@lancevaughn432]

Abbott and Costello "Whos on First", is the greatest comedy sketch of all time.

[@brandonallen3808]

I second that.

[@junehanzawa5165]

​@@brandonallen3808I third it. Or in their words, "I don't know" it.

[@kt6550]

I grew up watching these guys, the 3 Stooges, the Marx Brothers, and some of the other old time comics. I guess that makes me old. Well, I am. What warms my heart is finding this comedy gold being discovered and appreciated by a new, younger generation. Thank you.

[@maryjane9842]

i am older than you, 69 right now, and until MAY/2023 that is. and WOW, i loved aANDb, watched em all the time and on my B/W TV, rabbit ears and all......LOL

[@kt6550]

@@maryjane9842 I am 70. Gotcha!

[@gailbatty1702]

How many curse words did you hear in their skit? NONE, that's greatness.

[@wldandcrzyguy]

I heard 1 routine by them at the end Lou says "I don't give a damn".. oh thats our short stop..only time I heard them use language back in the day "DAMN" was a big swear word

[@strangeworldsunlimited712]

@@wldandcrzyguy Lou would alternate between "I don't give a damn", "give a darn", or "I don't care" depending on where they were performing. If it was a night club, "damn". If on the radio or TV, "darn". And anywhere where kids were DEFINITELY watching, "care". But Gail is correct, that was the ONLY swear word, when uttered, in the whole routine.

[@maryjane9842]

@@strangeworldsunlimited712 YES, never thought of that, but it true, heard them both, but didnt give it a thought, but now I did, THANK YOU FOR THAT, Strange!!! darn and damn.........WOW!!!!

[@jorgeclaudio-boza4584]

These are the old days not the days of today where everything is curse words

[@quentinmichel7581]

This routine came came out of their last years in Vaudeville ,so, by the time 1953 came around, they already done this multiple hundreds if not thousands of time. One of the best if not the best comedy duos ever he made several funny movies as well.

[@Malcontent-]

Being the straight man is much more of a challenge. Abbott was so talented. His timing and delivery was just amazing. Much respect.

[@DaDitka]

I believe at one point in their history, Costello wanted Abbott to receive 60% of the profits, because he said that a good comedian is a dime a dozen, but a good straight man is very hard to find.

[@Malcontent-]

​@@DaDitka Agreed. straight man much more difficult. It is and was easy to be a comedian but straight man required skill. Nice memories of Costello. Talented man with great charisma.

[@TheKyrix82]

He's an amazing straight man

[@bjbell52]

A real tribute to Bud Abbott was the fact the Groucho Marx once called him the greatest straight man that ever lived.

[@WaywardVet]

The thing about a good skit; you can go off script and still keep rolling because you both know the central theme. The hard part is keeping the straight face. I feel like Costello actually had the easier job because it's easier to hide a laugh if you're faking anger. Your face is already committed to a role.

[@derekhiemforth]

Part of what makes this so brilliant is that they didn't really have a "script" they had to remember. They knew the "rules" of the bit (the names of the players and so on), and there were a few key lines they knew they wanted to hit, but other than that, they just listened to each other and responded appropriately. If you listen to 10 different performances of this, they'll all be a little bit different. 🙂

[@johnmagill3072]

These guys were Masters at wordplay. I don't know if it's true or not but I read that they would deliberately try to trip each other up with slight changes to routine, but they worked together so well they just went with it happen.

[@bjbell52]

If you watch their first staring movie, Buck Privates, you can find a couple scenes where Costello tried to trip up Abbott during one of their routines. During the drilling scene, Costello, out of nowhere, asks Abbott "What time is it". Abbott without hesitation answers "None of your business". Later during the dice scene Costello blurts out "Starting Tuesday I'm going out with girls" and once again Abbott promptly answers "I don't blame you".

[@Malcontent-]

First saw this routine when I was a kid back in early 80's. Memorized every line. Could repeat every line. Just pure genius.

[@mattsnyderARTIST]

me too at the memorizing, I grew up with them in the 70's

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Its so simple...but written in such a genius way! Good luck guys with your act!

[@peterramsay4674]

You got a pretty good dad there. He’s doing a good job caring for you and mentoring you. I like it. It’s a real good family dynamic going on here.

[@buckfan1969]

40+ years ago I scoured Minneapolis/St. Paul looking for a vinyl recording of this routine. Finally found it in St. Paul. Today I can go on YT and pull it up instantly. How things have changed!

[@michaelcoffey1991]

As people say one of the 5 greatest comedy bits of all time. This will make people laugh in the year 4259... Greatness has no expiration date. You guys were a treat to see react to this diamond material :)

[@JohnSmith-oj6ir]

these guys started in vaudeville, and it wasn't unusual for an act to play two or three shows a day six or seven days a week. at that rate it wouldn't take long to memorize a routine and develop timing. i wish you guys well, and hope i get to hear you someday.

[@dantean]

Possibly the ONE reaction to this I've heard where the brilliant timing is noticed right away and mentioned. Bud Abbott was one of THE all-time straight men EVER and the two of them had this routine DOWN PAT!

[@majkus]

I once read that Lou was the 'brains' of the outfit, or the driving force, and he was the one who insisted on rehearsing this routine until the timing was so perfect.

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

In the 1930s Lou was alone. He had wanted to have a duo but couldn't find a straight man and he saw quite a few in Vaudville. As soon as he saw Bud Abbott he knew he found his straight man. That was when this comedy duo was formed.

[@robertkees6048]

I've probably seen Who's On First 50 times if I've seen it once, and it always cracks me up when he hits himself with the bat in the back of the head, the face he makes is priceless.

[@adampare8088]

Take 1 joke, beat it to absolute death....and it's still hysterical and becomes a classic for all time

[@ALPHAOMEGA1500]

It is amazing on how often performers like this comedy team are forgotten. Because of the passage of time. Abbott and Costello are among the top three comedy teams. Simply because of the brain power needed to do comedy routines like Who's On First and 7x13=28. Pure comedy genius

[@davidsumpter4933]

A flawless timeless performance that landed them into the comedians hall of fame.

[@bjbell52]

A recording of "Who's on First" is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[@romanhardware]

We need more comedian duos like those two with the same chemistry

[@theabstracthour178]

I was shown them as a kid and that was the first time I got into comedy. This skit is my favorite ever. Reminds me of so many family and their friends from when I was a kid.

[@steveseldin6330]

I'm 70 now and this skit I've seen a hundred times and every time I hear it, it still cracks me up. Their two masters of vaudeville and slapstick! If you guys want to see more of them probably Comedy Central may have some of their movies and they had The Abbot and Costello Show on TV! This skit tho is the best!

[@elizabitty213]

Comedy + Genius = Legendary skit! Never get tired of watching this

[@airbourne2]

I will never forget my father telling me to watch this and it was one of the few times I saw my father laugh out loud. Those memories stay forever. I'm 62.

[@georgeringley2667]

They were classic. The time they spent to hone the act must have been phenominal. Thanks for bringing back for newer generations. Merry Christmas

[@endoraismygma]

This brings back great memories of my dad. He saw this in theaters and loved to share it with us kids.

[@pleutron]

Great reaction to one of the best comedy bits ever written!

[@charliegr202]

This was pure comedy. I've heard this skit numerous times and still laugh.

[@MrGpschmidt]

They were the best. Timeless.

[@MariaGolay]

Great reaction... Best live skit ever!!!!!!!

[@ronaldholmes8525]

Stand up comedy has got to be one of the most difficult things to do, but once you've got the attention of the audience and they are with you, it has to be one of the most rewarding experiences....GOOD LUCK, GUYS!

[@ExposeEvil_FleefromIt77]

I watched this as a kid and always enjoyed it and its good to see it's making a coming back.... It's a classic

[@sopwithpuppy]

Interesting fact, seeing as how you're researching comedians. The audience member that hands Lou Costello the "props" at the beginning is none other than "The man of a thousand voices", the greatest character voice actor in history. Bar none, no argument is possible. "He voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and most of the other characters from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoons. He later voiced characters for Hanna-Barbera's television cartoons, including Barney Rubble on The Flintstones and Mr. Spacely on The Jetsons". Mel Blanc was an absolute genius.

[@maryjane9842]

OH YA, Mel, i remember now, almost forgot though, been now like a TON of years! am 69 now ya know? been about 60 years or so now, and in 2022. some times never though that i would still be alive now, and in 2022, i remember when the movies came out with 2001:a space Odyssey, AND ANYONE here remember that? that movie made me love large band music then, classical music that is, it had an awesome soundtrack!

[@NoEgg4u]

@1:35 "We've got the props for you here." That man is Mel Blank. Mel is the voice of countless characters, most notably he is the voice of nearly all of the Loony Tune characters. -- Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Woody Woodpecker, and many others. He also was the voice behind Barney Rubble, Dino, Mr. Spacely, Captain Caveman, etc. He had a radio show, and also appeared in countless television series with the biggest names for that era. He also did his own TV act. He was known as the man of a thousand voices.

[@michaelmisczuk1188]

Great act, but Lou's anger and frustration is so, so good. Glad you enjoyed it, I did. Thanks.

[@brokervc1]

This is rated 1 of the top skits ever.

[@robertpeterson8539]

JUST so you know costello wrote this in the mid 30's and they performed it on radio all through the 30's and 40's

[@Maya-bu2rf]

70 years and still funny!

[@junehanzawa5165]

Just perfect timing. Something for ALL young comedians to study and learn from.

[@stanleywiggins5047]

Abbott & Costello, who's on 1st. Was filmed 5 years before I was born & rember watching it on TV when I was 10 it's still CLASSIC COMEDY 😆☺️😃😄

[@MrPschocher]

Appreciate you guys keeping it 💯 I’ve loved watching this with my dad my whole life good luck to you guys

[@bobbykaralfa]

almost 100 years old they did the skit on a national radio show in 1938.. i think its amazing the timing and even the length of the skit. and it couldve been longer if they added the rite fielder.

[@manofiske3318]

_right_

[@corbinmcnabb]

I read somewhere that they left out the right fielder out of some concern of being seen as disrespecting Babe Ruth. Seems kinda strange, but...

[@warrengwonka2479]

The right fielder is NOBODY!

[@drummerbob10]

One of the few comedy sketches that can get me to laugh every time I see it.

[@jimmythetout109]

This skit goes back to about 1938 , radio .....a skit so good it's enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame ..

[@quentinmichel7581]

Funny as hell and not a spot of foul language in it. Also people forget how acrobatic Lou Costello could be. He was a master of physical comedy and pratfalls and did a large number of his own stunts in the 36 movies the duo made together between 1940 and 1956. They had first joined forces in 1935. Absolute legends.

[@bjbell52]

In the movie, Here Come the Coeds, there is a scene where Lou hits his head and forgets who he is and Abbott tells him he's the greatest female basketball player in the country. Since the scene need Lou to shoot a basketball, the director hired someone to teach Lou how to shoot. Lou went to center court and started pumping the ball between his legs and asked the trainer if he could shoot it from there. The trainer said no and Lou went Wheeeee and shot - nothing but net. The director didn't know that Lou was the free throw champion of the state of New Jersey two years in a row.

[@DS9Sisko]

I really apreciate you staring this with your son, one of the greatest of all comedy skits ever created, But stopping and pausing and explaining and all that really saps the gag’s greatest comedic strengths: the rapid fire build up and escalation. What makes it is a classic is that audiences didn’t pause it when they first watched it and could TRULY appreciate it’s utter genius. I love that you loved it, but this was painful to watch.

[@lorinwold6473]

The big thing about these two is it's all about simple wordplay. Lou Costello is very expressive and that is one of the things that made these two great and they didn't even need dirty words to be funny. Incredible timing and the big thing is they had to work in front of a live audience even when they did television back then and you had to keep on your toes.

[@doloresvargas6450]

A total play on words.Comedic genius.Tony

[@genea.p8578]

I love that you guys does this! Great tribute to one of the best comedy duos of all time. I'll be watching more of you guys! Wish you all the luck and prosperity you cam handle! God bless.

[@BelleDede01]

This skit was so popular that it made the Baseball Hall of Fame in NY, words and video. Hilarious. 'Who' is in first base, 'What' is on second base, 'I Don't Know' is on third base ... the pitcher is called 'Today' and the catcher's name is 'Tomorrow'. If you think this is funny, here's another skit that will make you laugh as well. It is from the television show The Carol Burnett Show, where there are two actors who are incredible. There is Tim Conway (the short one) and Harvey Korman (the tall one). Now Tim's main goal is to try to make Harvey break character and succeeds everytime. This one is about a patient who has a terrible toothache (Harvey) and goes to a dentist (Tim) but this patient is his first patient. Hilarious. BTW, Tim can't help himself that in every interview he gives, he has to say that Harvey laughed so hard, that he literally peed in his pants. You have to watch it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3q4hIBqerCWiKs Enjoy!

[@scoobafloom]

They have some of the best wordplay ever

[@chesteralexander4363]

They had the ad-lib down to an art. Real comedy chemistry.

[@gottabeemee]

H o T, yours is the first reaction who points out the craft demonstrated in this routine... Timing, staying on point... To remember the lines, repeat them "rapid fire" takes skill AND a great memory... It's like the "The 12 Days of Christmas" on STEROIDS "The 12 Days of Baseball Positions" 😉. CRAZY CRAZEEEEE good stuff, nothing but a clean, witty, expertly delivered routine... Fun reaction, thoughtful analysis, good job!! Best of luck to you!

[@steveijams8475]

A classic. The audience knows exactly what is going on.

[@1Adam20]

@0:30 me and my best friend memorized this entire routine, he as Lou Costello, and me as, Bud Abbott. And, that was 35 years ago.

[@PhlintheartGloomgold]

I heard Jerry Seinfeld say comedy was about louder and faster. Costello takes care of the louder and faster would be impossible. This was a vaudeville skit so it's probably close to 100 years old. A&C kept it clean, no swear words, and no mess-ups in close to eight minutes of rapid-fire dialogue. Some serious talent.

[@benjamineferko1657]

Good luck chasing your dream. Your viewing a couple of the best in the business, at that time. Classic comedy. Clean and fun.

[@19brittani]

real old school comedy.. no bad words just inspired funny.

[@balkybartokamus2099]

Comedy duos are a special kind of comedy to me. When you can feed off of one another and up the anti with hard left turns and running gags. I love the bond . I’ve studied comedy my whole life. I would love to see if I could write something for you guys. Pay or not I just love laughter, hit me up and I’ll send you a sample bit .

[@JBHogan]

That's always been my favorite line, too: "I don't know what I'm talkin' about!"

[@mattslupek7988]

13x7=28 is also a great bit by Bud and Lou. Another classic!!

[@maryjane9842]

YESSSS, AND LOU did it more than one way, and on the wall of the rooming house.....LOL AND left that land lord scratching his bald head!!!! LOVED IT!!!

[@murphymurf6581]

Such a classic!!!! Me and my dad used to watch this and Mash. Don't forget 3 stooges lol

[@RossM3838]

Mustard is a great routine by them as is the moving candle and many more Classic comedians

[@SharonBaxter12]

I grew up watching these men... Always made me laugh!!!

[@jackneverquit1879]

Great to see people still appreciate real talent. Thanks guys. Its even before my time, but I agree, its "some good stuff". You guys are right, they way this bit was done, even if they missed a line, they could just 'go with it' and make it work.

[@sokay2laugh512]

Great reaction. Check out their bit called Loafing. Same fun with miscommunication that Abbott and Costello used in many of their greatest bits.

[@ChuckJansenII]

Abbott and Costello became a vaudeville act and honed their craft. They then moved to radio, feature films and television. The comic timing and cadence of Abbott and Costello is like music where each line is a setup, joke, return, reaction. When you said 'listen to the cadence' I knew you caught on to this. I have heard most versions of this from the radio version, the version from their feature 'The Naughty Nineties' and television versions. This always brings me to tears because it is so riotously funny. Note that there is no bad language or blue humor in the routine. Yes, comedy can be clean. I would recommend finding some old audio recordings of radio shows from Abbott and Costello as well as The Jack Benny Program. Listen to them and visualize what is happening in your mind. Jack Benny was the master of the pregnant pause while breaking the fourth wall looking at the audience. That was one of his mannerisms.

[@shavingdave1]

Great job guys! Keep up the good work!

[@hungfao]

By the time this was recorded, this routine was already nearly 20 years old. It was very well-rehearsed.

[@Rebel9668]

They first performed that routine live on the radio on The Kate Smith Hour in 1938.

[@helgar791]

I have seen this skit perhaps 100 times. But now as an adult my eyes and ears are on Bud Abbott, because as the straight man he is so clean, never misses his cue and always presents the line that moves the skit forward. Their acting and sincerity makes this bit like clockwork for these guys. I've seen a bunch of others including star comedians try this bit and no one matches their timing, precision, and acting skills.

[@lesman9686]

It's absolutely one of the hardest skits to duplicate in 1 take on live TV. Gauntlet thrown down from the infamous ones...good luck ❤❤❤

[@oneknight55]

Comedy gold. Thank you for sharing.

[@susanrichardson5568]

they were the best

[@dermaglowpro1720]

Two of our own . . New Jersey Boys ! Bub Abbott was from Newark & Lou Costello was from Patterson. Jersey Proud So Many Stars ! Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Count Basie, Whitney Houston !! Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, BonJovi, Bruce Willis, Joe Walsh, Jersey Joe Wilcott, Carl Lewis, Jerry Lewis, and so many others . . . I have enjoyed watching your reaction Now subscribing :)

[@nohhknowwyeww]

That you're both together studying the mechanics executed in classic acts seems really good.-Ernie Moore Jr.

[@MichaelBoyce-tm2vw]

This is still shown in Baseball's HOF. On repeat.

[@robertutes4850]

I grew up hearing this stuff on the old radio shows so there was no visual, every once in a while i caught one of the movies, what was incredible was the delivery, it seemed as if they were having an actual conversation, not rehearsed. good luck you two...

[@theaffiliate4208]

They first did this skit in their Vaudeville act, then on radio in the late 30's, then in a movie in the 40's, which by this time this skit had gained legendary status. And of course, over the years they reworked and honed it to very sharp piece of comedy, which made it very easy to roll it out like a natural conversation. I have heard 4 different versions of "Who's on First" by A & C and you can clearly hear the slight changes and polishing as time progressed.

[@jdgrupp]

Funny guy in left is actually driving the conversation. Every shift is initiated by him.

[@michaelway7936]

They did this routine many times before this version, that's why they could control how long or short they wanted it to be, straight classic. Try checking out other classics such as "Mustard",or "Dice 🎲 Game(clip is in KZbin) where Lou is claiming ignorance about playing dice but then he starts throwin' out gambling jargon which upsets 😡 Bud,verbal and physical humor)

[@Maya-bu2rf]

28x7 is also funny

[@bjbell52]

Also "Dollar a Day" from their first movie, One Night in the Tropics.

[@naqwnaqw3712]

Funniest thing about it is that we as the audience understand both perspectives

[@victorcowboywest]

The premise of this sketch based on questions: e.g. "Who's is the first basemen?" The response is " The first basements is "Who", leading to repeated misinterpretation and growing frustrations between Bud and Lou. They first did this sketch from turn-of- century burlesque. In 1938 they did on the Kate Smith Hour radio show.

[@stuffingtonjfluffypantsiii]

the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown has this on a constant loop.

[@kbob9625]

They did this literally 100 times and every single time they did it differently. The ability to flow and not mess up is insane.

[@SRG1966]

This bit started in vaudeville in the 30s. There's a variation with a right fielder named "nobody".

[@TheBohemianAngels]

Pure genius. Best of luck guys. If you are honest with your goals then you should be able to reach it.

[@orion246810]

The Sketch was Conceived and Written in my Hometown of Paterson, N.J.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Never. Gets. Old.

[@randyrankin8062]

Comedy Genius!!!

[@brennanschweitzer840]

You men are aces in my book.

[@victorvolobuev507]

First time i ever saw this, my 8th grade history teacher showed this to my class one time. Honestly, i don’t know what happened. My entire class silently sat through the entire bit. Because it was so quiet, also tried to keep silent, but the entire time my guts were busting up and i had to keep my hands on my mouth to try and keep down my guffas and fits of giggles. I was too embarrassed to ask why no one else was laughing, but i figure it was either they’ve seen it before many times, or they didnt know baseball and didnt get it. I guess i should have asked someone about it😂

[@markavell7111]

The Best of Comedy!!

[@haroldwelch2191]

After all these years You can still crack up watching this

[@meganpettway2310]

I so want tickets if you get a show together!!!!

[@Robin.2226]

Simply the best

[@hiskeys358]

Check out their bit called 'Loafing' also.

[@demitrimarlin2463]

That’s true comedy at its best