Abbott appeared in a dramatic role for televisions GE Theater in 1961, teamed with comic Candy Candido for some personal appearances in the early 1960s, and provided his own voice for an Abbott and Costello cartoon series in 1967. For example, in a 1993 obituary of writer Michael Musto, it stated that shortly after Abbott and Costello teamed up, they paid Musto $15 to write the script.[7]. "They made it their own.". Sometimes his wife comes And Abbott and Costello had even better timing in "Who's on First" than the Nationals did when they chose first in the draft in the years Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper were available. The skit serves as a climax for an Abbott and Costello radio broadcast which begins with Costello receiving a telegram from Joe DiMaggio asking Costello to take over for him.[6]. base. Were not talking about Indeed. Spark questions. Costello: to because. Is throw the ball to first base? Abbott and Costello, American comedic duo who performed onstage, in films, and on radio and television. In 1940 Abbott and Costello appeared in supporting roles in their first movie for Universal Studios, One Night in the Tropics, and the following year they starred in the first film tailored for their talents, the army comedy Buck Privates. If you want a video to go viral, you would simply need to upload Mr. Met wearing a rainbow jersey while performing "Who's on First" (possibly while holding a kitten). Same as you! Abbott: Now listen, Who is not pitching. Costello: [3] Glickman may have added the nicknames of then-contemporary baseball players like Dizzy and Daffy Dean to set up the routine's premise. By then, fans were familiar with legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully rooting on the young player: Lets hope Hu gets a base hit, folks.

During the next few years, the team worked the burlesque circuit and perfected routines each had done countless times with other partners, including the baseball sketch Whos on First?, for which they became famous. Abbott: In 1999, Time magazine named the routine Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th century.[4]. Support this mission by becoming a sustaining member today. I throw the ball to who. Abbott: Now you've got it. New & Upcoming Superhero Movies and Series. "Who's on First?" You throw the ball to Who! March 6, 1906, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.d. with an eight-year-old girl in the Costello role. In February 1938, Abbott and Costello joined the cast of The Kate Smith Hour radio program, and the sketch was first performed for a national radio audience that March. In 2005, the line "Who's on First?" base. Im notStay out of the infield! name on first base. Abbott: I want to In the Selchow and Righter board game, the right fielder's name is "Nobody".[5]. You COSTELLO: I'm not asking you who's on second. numerous times on radio and television (notably in The Abbott and Costello Show episode "The Actor's Home"). Now listen, Who is not pitching. ), "This is a rite of passage. 88 0 obj <>stream You throw it to Who! it is drops the ball, the guy runs to second, who picks up the ball, throws Get smart curated videos delivered every week. Why do cloud forest spiny pocket mice jump so much? '", Abbott nonetheless loves the "Who's on First" routine, despite growing weary of the repeated jokes about his name. TKSST features smarter, more meaningful content than what's usually served up by YouTube's algorithms, and amplifies the creators who make that content. The even milder "I Don't Care" was used in the version seen in the film The Naughty Nineties. If you're a student of comedy or want to look at comedy timing, you should watch this sketch.". His attitude, him raising his voice cause he's trying not to raise it. Sometimes his wife comes At first, the shows producer was reluctant to let them do the baseball routine, but he gave in and the routine went over so well that the duo ended up with their own radio show shortly thereafter leading to a reported contract stipulation that the duo must perform the skit at least once a month on the air. (Pause) It's hilarious," he says. I throw the ball to Naturally? endstream endobj 56 0 obj <. Now, the heavy hitter bunts the ball. Abbott: Abbott and Costello are not in the Hall of Fame, as inductees, but rather their work is in the Museum and the Library. Costello: Why? So I pick up the ball, and throw it to who? Costello: B-520.56, A still from the movie "Who's on First?" Who's on First? There are three things guaranteed to raise a smile in baseball: references to Mr. Met, the Astros' old rainbow jerseys and the "Who's on First" routine. Abbott was something of a bully and a schemer, and Costello played the hapless childlike patsy who was known for catchphrases such as Im a ba-a-a-a-d boy! Their characters were stock types of the burlesque tradition; as such, their comedy relied more on the rapid-fire delivery of gags than on character or situational humour. Naturally? In this context, the first baseman is named "Who"; thus, the utterance "Who's on first" is ambiguous between the question ("which person is the first baseman?") bunts the ball, me being a good catcher, I want to throw the guy out at first "That skit is timeless. Although he had never worked onstage before, he quickly became one of the top burlesque comics and learned the hundreds of standard comedy routines of the circuit. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In 2005, the line Whos on First? was included on the American Film Institutes list of 100 memorable movie quotations. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Whoever did I says playing third? You dont want who on second?! Well, I never met the guys, so youll have to You must know it -- it's part of that world and part of this world. In the film, Burnett catches Matthau teaching the routine to his son and asks him why he would spend time on such silliness. ABBOTT: I'm telling you. In addition to the aforementioned gold record, the Hall of Fame also holds a copy of the Abbott and Costello Whos On First? board game from the 1970s, a library clippings file on the routine and its famous performers and numerous recordings of the skit. name on first base. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Abbott: Tomorrows pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. By the early 1930s, a "Baseball Routine" had become a standard bit for burlesque comics across the United States. ABBOTT: You know, they give ballplayers very peculiar names nowadays. "But I heard it the other day," he says. Soon the comedians were cast in Hollywood films, and debuted a shortened version of Whos On First? on the big screen in 1940s One Night in the Tropics. Inspire offline exploration. How does this springy robot jump to record-setting heights? was included on the American Film Institute's list of 100 memorable movie quotations. Both men were baseball fans, and Costello in particular developed a friendship with Joe DiMaggio, who some sources contend inspired and encouraged the young comedians to develop a baseball skit. The Langlands Program, the biggest project in modern mathematics, Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night, but make it LEGO, The abstract world of Wassily Kandinsky, animated, The ancient secrets revealed by deciphered cuneiform clay tablets, the Candy Factory Conveyor Belt with Lucy and Ethel. This Webby award-winning video collection exists to help teachers, librarians, and families spark kid wonder and curiosity. Get smart curated videos delivered to your inbox. Comedic duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello performing their baseball routine Who's on First? on their radio program, June 18, 1944. COSTELLO: The fellow's name on first base. guys name on first base. Costello: Naturally. ", Sciara says that the version of "Who's on First'' we all know is pretty much the work of Abbott and Costello, along with John Grant. By 1944, Abbott and Costello had the routine copyrighted. Costello: Where did Who and What come from? numerous times in their careers, rarely performing it exactly the same way twice. TKSST is on summer vacation until August. ", To which Ray responds. "Straight men rarely get the recognition they deserve, but he drove that routine. Although they would occasionally vary their standard formula in a few of their films, Abbott and Costellos act remained mostly consistent throughout their two decades as a team. ", (BTW: In 1990, Paul Abbott, then a rookie, started for the Twins against the Angels' Jim Abbott. have on the bags, we have Whos on first, Whats on second, and I Dont

Abbott: Whos On First? plays continuously in the Museum in a third-floor exhibit and has for over a generation. Who is on first. from the show. All Im asking you, whos the guy on first tell me their names, and then Ill know whos playing on the team. Glickman's obituary in, Frankenstein's monster (The Modern Prometheus), http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/11202b7737/who-s-on-first, "It's in the episode that opens with the question "What did the baggy pants-leg say to the other? "You're the comedy team of Abbott and Abbott. I want to guys name on first base. Costello would always find a way to work a Paterson reference into his work. Alas, Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" plays far less often in ballparks these days than does the Psy's "Gangnam Syle'' but at least it has been playing on a continuous loop at the Baseball Hall of Fame for decades. Shearer additionally plays off of the bit occasionally during his weekly radio broadcast, The US Acres episode "Who Done It?" "When you do it, you're not funny," Cruise's character complains at one point. hb```>V aBc+888Js&2u000192%110p3ue`n, h 71-D U hbbd```b`` "*Dl<0 f'-`XH`qUH2]_30m?SDg` H@ down and collects it. Costello: Costello: know, whats the guys name in left field? What Street? So I pick up the ball and throw it to Another shortened version appears in 1942s Who Done It? names. base?! In 1956 a gold record of "Who's on First?" After their final film, Dance with Me, Henry (1956), Abbott and Costello went their separate ways. Like, Dizzy Dean, him. In 2003, The Library of Congress chose the first radio version of the sketch from 1938 for inclusion in the National Recording Registry, an effort to digitize and preserve the recordings most central to American culture. This version, with extensive wordplay based on the fact that most of a fictional baseball team's players had "strange nicknames" that seemed to be questions, became known as "Who's on First?" "Who's on First?" Im asking you whos on first! Today? The routine is thought to have been partially inspired by an old routine having to do with directions to Watt Street. He established the pace, delivered every line perfectly and with just the right tone. I want to know, whats the pitchers name? Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Abbott and Costello are not silly, he responds, This is art!. Some notable examples include: Universal Monsters Wiki is a FANDOM Movies Community. Will you stay Look, if I throw the ball to first base, Of course.' to because. Ill break your arm you say whos on first! An abridged version was featured in the teams 1940 film debut, One Night in the Tropics. Costello: it is drops the ball, the guy runs to second, who picks up the ball, throws Alas, the Angels brought in reliever Bryan Harvey to face Castillo and the Twins sent up Kent Hrbek to bat for Castillo. In a day and age when so much has changed, it's good to see something kind of timeless.''. Him getting frustrated -- Lou Costello is priceless. If I mentioned the third basemans name, who Abbott, who pitched for six teams over his 11-year big league career, says the references began dying out in the mid- and late '90s because, he assumes, fewer players and fans had heard of Abbott and Costello. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)in which they battled the famous Universal characters of Frankensteins monster, Dracula, and the Wolfmanis generally regarded as their best film. I get behind the plate, do some fancy catching. That is the most commonly heard ending, which varied depending on the perceived sensibilities of the audience. Costello: I say, Whos on first, Whats on second, and His first big league hit was a home run, and it took until his sixth game for him to stop at first base after a single. In the 1970s, Selchow and Righter published a Who's on First? Costello: %%EOF

Now whos playing third base?! "He's on second. April 24, 1974, Woodland Hills, California) and Lou Costello (original name Louis Francis Cristillo; b. endstream endobj startxref right. Watt Street., A similar British skit has to do with a student named Howe, who came from Ware, and who now lives in Wye. These and other vaudeville routines are thought to have inspired the creation of Whos On First, though others have staked their claims on having written the piece, notably songwriter Irving Gordon, who is best known for Unforgettable., "Who's on First" dialogue created by Abbott and Costello and donated to the Hall of Fame in 1956. Whats the guys name on first base?! What he says sounds so crazy but it all makes sense. Oh, hes on third. Now who has it? If I mentioned the third basemans name, who who gets the money? The following day, the Dodgers Maglie would pitch well against the Yankees in the World Series, allowing two runs on five hits one of them a Mantle homer but history was on Don Larsens side that day during his meeting with destiny. So, too, in the Academy Award-winning movie "Rain Man," when Ray (Dustin Hoffman) endlessly repeats the routine with no sense of timing, to the exasperation of his brother (Tom Cruise). "Yes." As a former writer on "Cheers," "Frazier" and "M*A*S*H" and a broadcaster for several major league teams, Ken Levine is part of both the comedy and baseball worlds. In 2005, the line "Who's on First?" is a vaudeville comedy routine made most famous by Abbott and Costello. Costello: Now thats the first thing that youve said The perfect game followed the perfect skit. So there was no Abbott and Castillo matchup that day. Costello: The girl is a batter who wants to know the players' names. "What is the name of the town next to Which?" All Im trying to find out is the fellows Second-half preview, rankings, playoff odds for all 30 teams, Fantasy baseball forecaster: Pitcher projections for the next 10 days, Celebrating 100 years of No. ", Levine says to "Picture the finest on-screen dance sequence between Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and this was its comedy equivalent," Levine says. Strange names, pet names. All Im trying to find out is whats the (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. All we got is a couple of days on the team. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The immortal skit has been performed at the White House, and was named the best comedy routine of the 20th century by Time Magazine in 1999. You know, Bucky Harris, the Yanks manager gave me a job as coach for as long A video (taken from The Naughty Nineties) now plays continuously on screens at the Hall. They did the routine for President Franklin Roosevelt several times. "It's such a well-written piece for a comedy routine. Costello: If you watch it now, it's just as good now as it was 75 years ago," NBC's "Late Night" talk show host Jimmy Fallon says. It starred Mark and his eight year old daughter Lana Esslinger in the Costello role. But if you're tone-deaf, the song doesn't work. Abbott and Costello performed their celebrated routine on the Kate Smith radio show way back in 1938 when Lou Gehrig's playing streak still was intact. Numerous people over the years have claimed credit for writing the sketch, but such claims typically lack reasonable corroboration. Costello: "Every comedian goes: 'Oh, "Who's on First." Costello: Naturally. by Abbott and Costello - on Baseball Almanac, Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion, Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops. He never quite figures out that the first baseman's name literally is "Who". Im not asking you whos on second! Then tell me who is playing left field. Abbott:

", Or as Walter Matthau tells Carol Burnett when she calls the routine silly in the movie, "Pete 'n' Tillie": "Abbott and Costello are not silly. know, Im a catcher too. In 1956, a gold record of Whos on First? was placed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. "", http://www.archive.org/details/ItPaysToBeIgnorantOtr, "Best of the Century" Time Magazine, Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, http://www.abbottandcostellofanclub.com/faq.html, http://www.archive.org/download/otr_abbottandcostello/Abbott_and_Costello_-_Whos_On_First_Original_30_Min_Live_Rad.mp3, Michael Musto, 76, writer, filmmaker Series: OBITUARIES, "Sketch Artists - Page 1 - Film+TV - Los Angeles", http://www.laweekly.com/1999-11-18/film-tv/sketch-artists/, "SCTV: Midnight Express Special - Cast, Reviews, Summary, and Awards - AllRovi", http://www.allmovie.com/work/sctv-midnight-express-special-329627, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlXjIg4fH74, http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2349#comic, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KcGNF0Is4U. [1], Bud Abbott stated that it was taken from an old routine called "Who's The Boss? I dont know, hes on third, and I dont give a darn! Abbott, on the other hand, hailed from Asbury Park, though he was really a child of the circus and carnival vaudeville circuit. and the answer ("The name of the first baseman is 'Who'"). An abridged version was featured in the team's 1940 film debut, One Night in the Tropics. Oh, hes on third. Why? The team acquired a national following when singer Kate Smith booked them on her radio show in 1938; the next year they appeared in the Broadway revue Streets of Paris with one of their idols, comic Bobby Clark. Will you stay Longhorn Ankole Cows: The Cattle of Kings, The science of Blue Corn Mush, a classic indigenous recipe, How to make easy lemonade scones with 92-year-old Muriel Halsted, How to juggle 3 balls, a beginner tutorial by Taylor Tries, Cotton swab painted trees blossom with color, Athletes of the Gesture, a dance routine for the Paralympic Games 2020, The Mistake Waltz (with an Anatomy of a Dance), How to Jam Skate in Venice Beach: Learn 4 roller skating dance, Orange Cat is Fascinating at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. For instance, we have Who's on first, What's on second and I Don't Know is on third. By making it seem matter-of-fact, as if everyone knew these ballplayers, it just made Lou Costello's confusion and building frustration that much funnier.". Well I just thought Id tell you. Well dont change the players around! Abbott: An early radio recording was placed in the Library of Congresss National Recording Registry in 2003. Costello: Abbott: If you enjoy the research, curation, writing, free newsletter, and site maintenance that keeps this Webby award-winning site up and running, A diver makes underwater vortex rings that can knock over rocks, The classic mirror scene from The Marx Bros Duck Soup (1933), The Art of Cricket Bat Making, a factory tour, Making a baseball bat from rough-sawn lumber, Jackie Robinson, baseball pioneer and American hero, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), Ella Fitzgerald sings A Tisket a Tasket (1942), our favorite smart books, toys, games + more. It's genius. %PDF-1.5 % was included on the American Film Institute's list of the one hundred most memorable movie quotes. Why, John Martz illustrated a just-published version in book form for children, with a bunny rabbit and a bear delivering the lines. Radishes Growing in Space: 27 days in 10 seconds, Microgravity on ISS, a NASA Explorers web series, Clangers Get a Visitor: Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, In The Gale, a Birdsong Project collaboration by Yo-Yo Ma and Anna. And tomorrows pitching? as youre on the team. BL-3330.85, Dad and Bud and Grant put the routine together based on a series of old vaudeville sketches they knew and their own abilities to play around with words.". When he based on the routine. I dont even know what Im talking about! Now lets get back to first. He spent much time backstage studying the top American comics of the day, including W.C. Fields, Bert Lahr, and the comedy team of Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough. You have to know it. Tomorrows pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. This is ART!". BL-3326.85, Photo negatives of the Abbott and Costello movie. Costello: Watt's claims seem rather fanciful, and the routine is generally credited to Abbott and Costello, who performed "Who's on First" thousands of times (and in front of three U.S. presidents). Curated by Rion Nakaya with her 11 & 13 year olds. "That should be played in every ballpark.". When you pay off the first baseman every month, In this one, a pre-teen girl and her father are on a baseball field. Yes. "It has to be performed with precise timing," Sciara says. Costello: All Im trying to find out is whats the Visitors and callers will frequently ask Who are the only two people in the Hall of Fame who had nothing to do with baseball? The question is frequently repeated by radio disc jockeys as trivia, but the question is flawed in two ways. Costello's daughter, Chris, has insisted that her father wrote it with Abbott and one of their writers, John Grant. For Pete's sake, Ray. They also performed "Who's on First?" Costello: Same as you!

"WHO'S ON FIRST!?!? Abbott: Naturally. I said, 'Are you really sure you want to show your age like that? You dont want to tell me today? Costello: 42's widow, Rachel Robinson, and her multigenerational impact. "You got a couple of days on your team?" He spent the next decade perfecting his talents as a straight man and working with a number of partners that included his wife, Betty.

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