Abbott and Costello's - Who's On First (filmed Jan 15 - Mar 1 1945) WITH SUBTITLES

[@dietersoegemeier139]

In another hundred years this will still be as good as the day they first performed it.

[@nthgth]

It's kinda unbelievable how timeless it is😂

[@SeverSTL]

Why........left field

[@stephensanfilippo1845]

The GREATEST comedy routine of all time. I saw this almost 70 years ago and I always laugh and find it fresh. Abbott & Costello were comedy geniuses.

[@cactusjackhausen8508]

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@cactusjackhausen8508 universal studios hollywood movies on Netflix with oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel interview date definitely

[@RangaTurk]

Sometimes it seems amazing what the entertainment industry produced on film during WWII.

[@krog44]

Comedy yes great movies

[@DavidLeglover]

I have to disagree as one who enjoys comedy I consider the banter involving the Legenday Danny Kaye talking about how the vessel with the passel has the brew that's true but the chalice from the palace has the potion that can kill you!

[@PhilSolari-f9x]

The boys themselves considered this version to be the absolute best it's ever been! And all Bud and Lou fans wholeheartedly agree!

[@cindydott452]

Isn't this the version proudly played in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

[@svevo]

I don't know, I like the other one that comes out when you search "who's on First" on here better. I feel the flow is better Edit: it's also a minute longer and in this case, more of great thing is better

[@barfo281]

@@svevo THIRD BASE!

[@TD-sw3kv]

No, the other one is the more classic one. This is not the one they played over and over just from the first two minutes you can hear that.

[@susanb2015]

Is this the version that was in their movie? It is the Naughty Nineties. I think it is the best.

[@bri-guy8757]

That routine NEVER gets old.

[@mclovin9578]

And it never will. 🙂

[@bluehornet197]

I mean it's old but it's delivery is pure genius and it still cracks me up every time I hear it

[@robbymounce5764]

It had aged like a fine wine! 🍷 ❤

[@bigmclargehuge7170]

The rapid word play and the incredible linguistic stretches make this so amazing. The Baseball Hall Of Fame better well have this showing somewhere.

[@cindydott452]

It does, on a continuous loop.

[@ckinahan1]

What a good point and thank goodness it is! Except what's at second and thank goodness is probably in the dugout... 😁

[@rippt530]

@@cindydott452 Itdoes is our long reliever.

[@luisreyes1963]

The greatest stand-up routine in comedy history, thanks to Bud Abbott & Lou Costello.

[@judi6078]

My husband and I tried to explain this routine to our son. We finally printed the script and read it at the kitchen table. I think I was Abbott and my husband was Costello. Our son giggled thru the whole presentation.

[@ckinahan1]

And he'll never forget it I promise you! Now that's great parenting! A true home run! 😁

[@deanerling1315]

When I showed it to my children, they just looked at me like there was something wrong with me. I think they were refusing to find anything funny about something that existed from that long ago...

[@GodmanGoddard]

The best part of this is that the people in the audience were told not to laugh since they were filming and you can hear them all chuckling and giggling

[@cindydott452]

This version was produced for the film "The Naughty Nineties". It was a movie, with no live audience. The laughter you hear is the film crew cracking up!

[@clueless_cutie]

@@cindydott452 Somehow that makes it even better knowing the professional crew is in tears trying to keep it together.

[@AbsolutelyJason]

lol

[@TheLastFBIagent]

All I know is my grandpa had a figurine of these guys up on a shelf when I was about 5 years old. He passed away when I was 9. A couple decades later and I’m happy to see he had such a precious sense of humor

[@johnlittle6008]

There will never be another pair of comedians like these two fantastic men. I grew up watching these guys. Never a dull moment watching.

[@justachipn3039]

👍👍

[@justinlang8229]

That went off the rails quick 😂

[@michaelgregory7719]

Have watched this routine for decades and still laugh every time greatest comedy team ever

[@SL-vr1jx]

The focus required to keep up with the pace without getting any lines mixed up is pretty impressive, let alone the ingeniuity behind every line delivered. This is a true classic even by today’s standards for a reason

[@rmagdos]

This routine has been making me laugh for over 70 years. I still laugh so hard that it beings tears to my eyes. This will still be making people laugh as long as it can be viewed , it's timeless.

[@bluehornet197]

How old are you exactly? I heard this back in 2008 when I was 18 and I thought it was amazing

[@rmagdos]

I turned 76 back in June, this skit was filmed two years before I was born. I have seen it hundreds if times and I still laugh every time I( watch it. @@bluehornet197

[@bobbysands6923]

The last time I was at the Baseball HOF, they had this looping endlessly. I must have watched it 30 times in a row, and still laughed every time. It is maybe the funniest comedy bit ever and is clean as a whistle. And if you listen carefully, you can hear someone on the crew giggling, most likely barely containing themselves.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Look up "St. George and the Dragonet" and "Little Blue Riding Hood." Both of them were parodies of "Dragnet." Jack Webb was a big fan of Stan Freberg and loaned him the NBC orchestra to do the theme music. They had to keep doing takes because the musicians kept cracking up.

[@justachipn3039]

@@davidlafleche1142 👍👍

[@acdii]

This was a high school routine my friend and I did back in 82. It is not easy trying to not crack up while doing it. Nothing compares comedy wise to this two giants of comedy. Vaudeville created some of the greatest comedy talent ever. My kids even know and love this routine.

[@tambrosia]

BRAVO my brothers and I tried this never got through it without screwing it up. Bet you had better luck. 2 of the best guys in the biz

[@nthgth]

Good on you, this is one of the best examples of comedy in existence

[@Patiencelad]

That was you? I did it in grade school in the 70s.

[@scottrussell2281]

Still holds up as one of the all time greatest comedy bits. 😂

[@Rotorhead1651]

"ONE OF"?!?!? This is the SINGLE funniest routine OF ALL TIME!!!😂

[@outdoorguy845]

That was one of the greatest comedian skits ever, you don't see things like that anymore

[@juanmanuelpedrosa53]

because whoever tries to do something like that will be received by a pile of critics saying "abbot and costello did that already..." instead of enjoying the twists

[@scottlewis8681]

I have been listening to this for over 70 years. I still never get tired of listening to it.

[@mclovin9578]

Does anyone else remember watching this with their dad when you were a kid? He passed away a few years ago but this was his favorite skit and it brings back some of my warmest memories of growing up in a house filled with laughter. Thanks for posting. 🙏

[@challengerwilliam8414]

Absolutely the G.O.A.T. of all stand up comedy ever. Those were the days!

[@johnrichardson6033]

Makes me laugh every time. It’s one of the best duo comedies of all time.

[@LeslieKerr-y5f]

This comedy routine can never be put in the grave. It will never die because it's too wonderful 👍.

[@leeboyles4480]

I have heard this referenced many times but never seen the whole routine, I loved it more than I thout

[@brentritchie6199]

It truly is the greatest comedy routine of all time genius in its conception and genius in the implementation

[@ilikegrapes5769]

Classic stuff. 34 years before I was born and I've seen this 100 times and still enjoy their humor.

[@jakeg3126]

I’m 34 too!!

[@nthgth]

Even more years before my time but it's still one of the most surefire cry-laughs I can possibly find on KZbin. These boys definitely hit on something special.

[@ericjohnson6665]

This is a prime example of humor that's funny many times, even always... as opposed to jokes that are only funny once, because the punchline relies on the unexpected. After you've heard it, the punchline is no longer unexpected.

[@Toni-oy5gu]

I remember watching this one Sunday afternoon and have never forgotten it. Occasionally, I come out with the "Who's on 1st, What's on 2nd.... third base" and people who have never watched this piece of comic genius look at me strangely. Loved Abbott and Costello 🧡

[@collinsnider4179]

This is definitely the best version of this routine

[@ryancalhoun2910]

I actually prefer the one that goes a little bit faster, but this is still great

[@stellaqaustralia]

@@ryancalhoun2910 1.25 X

[@darrenhirst9900]

So who is on first base?

[@stevencrouse167]

@@darrenhirst9900 Naturally

[@T.Tuxedo]

This is a scene from their 1945 film "Naughty Nineties".

[@John_Burns.Crazy_Cooter]

Even though this was way before my time I enjoy it never gets old good clean humor can't beat only heard this for the first time a few years back but show it to my daughter an grand daughter they love it too.

[@drogz]

how is it clean he threatens to bludgeon the other guy to death!!!

[@jasonrodgers9063]

My stepson & his best friend bore strong resemblances to Abbot & Costello, (Stepson, Costello, friend, Abbott) They did an abbreviated version of this routine for a High School talent night back in the '80's, was WELL received!

[@jeffberbert7784]

The best version of this classic routine. The speed, the timing.....I have no idea why reactors don't watch this version.

[@nobodyuknow4911]

A vaudeville act so well rehearsed it's as well timed as a Swiss watch.

[@bdbotts]

Will never ever get old!!! ❤

[@stephenragland7710]

Agree

[@AthenaSchroedinger]

This is truly timeless. Just as funny now as when I first heard it many decades ago.🤣❤

[@ronaldharding3927]

Set my alarm on my radio clock a little over forty years ago. I woke up laughing. This routine was playing and had me in stitches while I was asleep.

[@AnnaSharp4]

Best skit ever!! We need good clean humor like this again on television.

[@keithyakouboff8755]

Agreed. But, clean humor requires genuine creativity. Crudeness is easy.

[@stephenpenrice1230]

In the version from their vaudeville days, the shortstop’s name was probably not so clean.

[@nthgth]

​@@stephenpenrice1230as I recall, it was usually I Don't Give a Darn. In other recorded versions anyway. I don't know if it was different earlier than that

[@dragonrider7796]

I saw this for the first time in 1983 at six years old, loved it then and still do.

[@tysonhawk5437]

My friend and I did this skit for a high school play. We ended up being asked to perform it at numerous places for a couple years. This is so nostalgic.

[@nthgth]

That's freakin awesome. You may not have written it, but the showmanship is just as important and you must've nailed that if you were getting repeat requests.

[@bigdaddy1818]

My God!how many times to perfect that! Perfection

[@chijako7990]

I love Abbott and Costello. Costello has always been my favorite :) Now that I'm older I'm reminiscing on all the arguments I've been in and seen, that are basically this skit with different words....

[@swolfe9668]

This is pure good humor and should be allowed to play at work

[@MaryAnnPaventa-b2r]

Always loved this routine. It cracks me up every time I watch it, especially if I need a good laugh!

[@megatherium99]

Plain and simple, comedic genius! Is there ANY comedians today that could pull of such timing? Don't think so....

[@mariefortunato4737]

Excellent routine that could never be forgotten 👏

[@Kenrico13]

I'd like to thank the algorithm for bringing me here to enjoy these geniuses. I will be looking forward to more. It kinda reminds of the 3 stooges. My pops and I would watch that all day, if I'd known about this sooner. We could watch this together as well.

[@spankyjeffro5320]

Still love these guys. Keystone cops and the Mummy, Dracula and Wolfman were my faves as a kid.

[@enbybunny9940]

This is the PERFECT kind of comedy that holds up infinitely well no matter the time period. I wish more comedy was more deeply smart and just light-heartedly silly like this nowadays. It seems like most attempts at comedy lately is riddled with jokes that use topical events as a crutch to support a lackluster sense of humor.

[@gibandruski6744]

Whoever wrote this piece was absolutely brilliant!

[@robertcoggeshall3071]

Easily the best of the different versions of the whos on first routine. The absolute greatest comedy routine ever enacted. And its got to be one of the most complex, requiring perfect timing. Lou almost stumbled thinking of Buds character name, from the naughty nineties, but still saves it.

[@theoneandonlyashh]

My 5th grade teacher showed the class this video last year, he is old like the video. Awesome teacher, awesome video.

[@rickdrewer6427]

TOTALLY BRILLIANT. Simply perfection. Downunder, South Australia

[@CrimsonParkDog]

Man, I could watch this skit for like a million, gazillion times, and it'll STILL be funny. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@noahbody9782]

What can you say. This is totally awesome. How did they do this without missing a beat.

[@mattmurphy8288]

I think how was a pinch hitter…

[@nthgth]

Gotta be practice and professional showmanship. Supposedly they were laughing completely out of control when they were first coming up with this 🤣

[@edmacy51]

A classic bit that never fails to entertain ❤

[@29988122]

Thanks, I can't understand this without subtitles!

[@benjamess3194]

The funny part is that if look up the 1934 Gas House Gang (AKA) The St. louis Cardinals you will find that there were in fact some funny nicknames for some of the players. Dizzy Dean, Leo ( The Lip ) Dirocher, Ducky Medwick and so on. But you gotta love this comedy. It's timeless.

[@williamcolbert7828]

Omgosh, so cool you know the Gas House Gang! My grandfather was on that World Series winning team! His name is Charles 'Chick' Fullis. I never was able to talk baseball with him because he passed away at age 42! Oh gosh the stories he would have had! Yay baseball!⚾️☮

[@paulbrennan3996]

These two My favourites and best comedy due of All time R.I.P. to Bud and Lou first class 👏 total legendary comic's 🤝👏✊ respect 🤝👏

[@ajfoyt1480]

Possibly the funniest skit ever written 🤣 😅😂😊❤

[@coachjon6967]

After all these years it is still funny. I would love to see a version of this for Basketball.

[@moohoward]

Why?

[@OneWeirdDude]

Um, but basketball doesn't have the same variety, does it? Why not try football.

[@zr3755]

​@@moohowardDon't bring the left fielder from St Louis into this 😄

[@boething]

I used to show this to my fifth graders when I taught. They loved it!

[@ilirllukaci5345]

Abbott and Costello. My Dad's favorite.

[@thesupremesextendedkanan4216]

Classic!!! Love Abbot and Costello!!!

[@nelson2503]

Nothing will ever beat this routine.😂

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

This is a cut from one of their 90 minute movies 🎥, the title of it being: The Naughty Nineties, in a story about some professional gamblers swindle the Captain of ownership of his show boat 🚢. As others have commented (from duplicate clips posted here on KZbin) about how come members of this audience are not laughing here it is likely because the "audience" present are actual paid actors, who have been instructed to refrain from laughter, so that we movie viewers are able to comprehend the "discussion" between Dexter Broadhurst (Bud Abbott) and Sébastien Dimwiddie (Lou Costello) about names of the players on the "St. Louis Wolves" baseball team.

[@MrThermostatic]

I think the audience not reacting has more to do with them playing "straightman". Much like everyone else who interacts with Abbott and Costello in movies never find them the slightest bit amusing or funny. I've always been so aware how in comedys, nobody involved is finding the material funny. It creates more intimacy between the audience and the comedy, as we are aware of something funny going on , that no one in the movie seems to.

[@l.salisbury1253]

CHALMERS: Well, Seymour, it seems we've put together a baseball team, and I was wondering Who's On First? SKINNER: Yes. Not the pronoun but rather a player with the unlikely name of Who is On First. CHALMERS: Well, that's just great, Seymour! We been out here six seconds and you've already managed to BLOW the routine!

[@SOCORROSILVA-in7px]

Thank you very much, Tis Done, for uploading this funny video of Abbott and Costello so that we can see it whenever we are confined to staying at home during this quarentine as much as possible. Please have a nice day today. ©® June 10, 2022 @ 10:30 pm ©®

[@consco3667]

They were great!

[@mjmeadows1016]

Absolutely the best

[@richstrobel]

Bought this movie on vhs for my Dad and stepmother years ago. I was surprised to see a short about McKee Gardens in Vero Beach where I live. I thought the movie was poor but the Who's on First routine made it worth buying.

[@wallacelang1374]

Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First" routine is an all time classic that actually was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown. Both members of the Abbott and the Costello families were present during its induction ceremony. This was before there ever had been any discussion of possibly creating a Comedy Hall Of Fame (which hasn't even been built yet).

[@stephennixon9609]

They deserve to be in Cooperstown for this routine. The first time I heard it way back when I was busting out laughing. I even have it on DVR from the old Abbott and Costello Show

[@traviskomar1061]

They play this routine on a continuous loop at the Hall of Fame so they technically are there already

[@stephennixon9609]

@@traviskomar1061 I know they are in there I was just saying they deserve to be there.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

they got their start on radio so they had to rely totally on what they said so that certainly helped then when they transferred to film they became just as accomplished for me making them the #1 comedy duo of all time

[@christasimon9716]

Umpire (to the manager): So is your starting pitcher ready? Manager: Yes. Umpire: Ok, well get him out here. Let's get this game started. Manager: He's still warming up. Umpire: You just said he's ready. Manager: He _IS_ Reddy.

[@jeanninem8227]

I have always Loved this. When I say ,"Who's on first", today..2021 Nobody knows what I'm referring to. 😂

[@supermombelle9750]

me too, I had to show this to my mom, she said, it was before her time, & I say "but it's a timeless classic!!!" It even makes my teenager laugh!

[@vd2656]

😢

[@williambrady3963]

"I don't even know what I'm talking about!"

[@AprehamLincoln]

I've heard this routine referenced all my life but this is the first time I've ever seen it. Brilliant comedy. These guys were timeless geniuses that helped pave the way for great comedy like Python and The Three Flavours Cornetto.

[@MMAGamblingTips]

The closed captioning messes up the skit. The first baseman’s name should be spelled like the Chinese name “Hu” and on 2nd base is "Watts” pronounced like "what/wot" with Bud’s thick accent.

[@esausjudeannephew6317]

The TIMING!

[@vinmanoct1279]

Impeccable and absolutely perfect timing.

[@GereneAvila]

In high school a friend of mine and I did this routine for 'Cabaret Night'. We knew we would never remember it as written so we printed it out like we were broadcasting a baseball game. Not sure f people noticed we were holding anything, they were laughing so hard. Early '80s and still slayed everyone.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

The one from The Kate Smith Hour was absolutely hysterical. Best iteration of it ever.

[@bryanmahon7866]

Today is catching tomorrow, who what, and I don't know, cover the infield... I remember that cardinal team. Born, raised in St. Louis... And yes, this never gets old...

[@justsomeguy1691]

This is just really impressive, aside from how funny it is. I’ve acted and memorized lines, those are a lot of lines, and they are all really símilar to each other and easy to conflate. Not to mention they’re delivering them rapid-fire. There is a lot of great sketch comedy out there but I’ve never really been impressed with delivery in the way I am when I watch this

[@robbymounce5764]

“OOOOHHHH! That’s our SHORTSTOP!” Lol! This routine aged like a FINE WINE! 🍷 ❤

[@MaryAnnPaventa-b2r]

I don't know how they don't get the names mixed up in this routine! It is just too hysterical!

[@chrisb1029384]

That never gets old! Hilarious! I don’t know how they kept from cracking up.

[@fredericbarclay7468]

Hadn't watched this in years and I forgot they didn't mention the right fielder. RIP Lou and Bud!

[@7Kingsmen]

“I don’t even know what I’m talking about!” 😆

[@charlesbartholomew2910]

One of the Best comedy routines! Love these two doing this one!

[@Tyrion_L_GoT]

The timing is beyond brilliant....Who is on First is in the Baseball HOF in Cooperstown

[@spectrum7virkeytroni]

This is a pretty good version. A few years ago, there was a version from a 1940 radio program where they just called it "baseball" instead of "who's on first". And I really liked that version too.

[@michaelmiller8914]

I have loved that skit since I was a kid. I had it on cassette tape back then. ❤❤

[@renewagain6956]

After all these years... I finally watch the original that spawned all the parodies.

[@DavidTucker-x5y]

The timing has to be perfect for this to work!

[@gregknudson8700]

This just never gets old. We've all seen it 100 times and we all want to see it another 100 times. What is it about this routine that will live in infamy?

[@gregknudson8700]

You're right. I could watch it 100 times and not get tired of it. 😊

[@familyfirst4ever]

The way it's done. I can watch it again and again, and I still laugh every time. They're hilarious.

[@BobbleCube]

“There is a player named who.” “What?” “There is also a player named what, he is on second base.” “I don’t know… what you’re talking about?”

[@DarthPizza777]

They don't make comedy like this anymore and it's a real shame.

[@Yumi_Jay]

My mom and I love to quote this at times especially at the ball games.

[@jadenquam5332]

The wording is is just so great

[@TrondBørgeKrokli]

It is one of the finest acts in comedy. Pity that the people making the decision to add the text did not take into consideration that the names could be actual names, like Hu, Watt and Aydunno.

[@kayowalsh]

Still laugh out loud at this great skit. 😂