Stand-up comedy teams were popular in the U.S. for many years, starting with the Vaudeville acts of the 1880s. Comedy duos got a further boost when radio and films came along, making many comedy teams nationally famous and beloved by millions.
But, things change. By the 1980s, the comedy team idea was on the decline. The concept of two personalities playing off each other — usually, a more or less normal fellow paired with an ignorant or goofy partner — morphed into “buddy movies.”
You might say Laurel and Hardy evolved into Harold and Kumar.
When a new list of “all-time best comedy teams” comes out (it happens regularly), Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are always near the top. And you can’t think of Abbott and Costello without thinking of their signature skit, the “Who’s on First” routine.
The skit descended from several old American and British sketches from the early 1900s that used wordplay to get a laugh. In one sketch, a schoolmaster interviews a student named Howe from the village of Wye who once lived in nearby Ware.
Due to the popularity of baseball, “Who’s on First” was a natural in its time. Abbott and Costello refined the routine over the years, performing it countless times on stage and in the movies. Understandably, the skit varied a bit with each performance, but somehow, Bud and Lou managed to copyright it.
In 1999, Time Magazine declared it the number one comedy sketch of the 20th Century. In 2003, a recording of the routine was placed in the Library of Congress. In 2005, when the American Film Institute named the top 100 movies quotes of all time, the phrase “Who’s on First” was number 91.
During the 2007 baseball season, a newly-acquired infielder, Chin-Lung Hu, started his first game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When he got his first hit, a single, announcer Vin Scully intoned, “Okay, everybody — all together: ‘Hu’s on first!'”
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Who’s on First
Version performed by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in 1953
Lou: I love baseball. Will you tell me the names of the guys on the team, so when I go to the ballpark, I’ll know those fellows?
Bud: All right. Strange as it may seem, they give ball players nowadays very peculiar names.
Lou: Funny names?
Bud: Nicknames, nicknames. Now, on the St. Louis team we have Who’s on first, What’s on second, I Don’t Know is on third —
Lou: That’s what I want to find out. I want you to tell me the names of the fellows on the St. Louis team.
Bud: I’m telling you. Who’s on first, What’s on second, I Don’t Know is on third —
Lou: You know the fellows’ names?
Bud: Yes.
Lou: Well, then who’s playing first?
Bud: Yes.
Lou: I mean the fellow’s name on first base.
Bud: Who.
Lou: The fellow playin’ first base.
Bud: Who.
Lou: The guy on first base.
Bud: Who is on first.
Lou: Well, what are you askin’ me for?
Bud: I’m not asking you — I’m telling you. Who is on first.
Lou: I’m asking you — who’s on first?
Bud: That’s the man’s name.
Lou: That’s who’s name?
Bud: Yes.
Lou: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money?
Bud: Every dollar of it. And why not? The man’s entitled to it.
Lou: Who is?
Bud: Yes.
Lou: So who gets it?
Bud: Why shouldn’t he? Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it.
Lou: Who’s wife?
Bud: Yes. After all, the man earned it.
Lou: Who does?
Bud: Absolutely.
Lou: Well, all I’m trying to find out is what’s the guy’s name on first base?
Bud: Oh, no, no. What is on second base.
Lou: I’m not asking you who’s on second.
Bud: Who’s on first!
Lou: St. Louis has a good outfield?
Bud: Oh, absolutely.
Lou: The left fielder’s name?
Bud: Why.
Lou: I don’t know, I just thought I’d ask.
Bud: Well, I just thought I’d tell you.
Lou: Then tell me who’s playing left field?
Bud: Who’s playing first.
Lou: Stay out of the infield! The left fielder’s name?
Bud: Why.
Lou: Because.
Bud: Oh, he’s center field.
Lou: Wait a minute. You got a pitcher on this team?
Bud: Wouldn’t this be a fine team without a pitcher?
Lou: Tell me the pitcher’s name.
Bud: Tomorrow.
Lou: Now, when the guy at bat bunts the ball — me being a good catcher — I want to throw the guy out at first base, so I pick up the ball and throw it to who?
Bud: Now, that’s he first thing you’ve said right.
Lou: I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
Bud: Don’t get excited. Take it easy.
Lou: I throw the ball to first base, whoever it is grabs the ball, so the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to what. What throws it to I don’t know. I don’t know throws it back to tomorrow — a triple play.
Bud: Yeah, it could be.
Lou: Another guy gets up and it’s a long ball to center.
Bud: Because.
Lou: Why? I don’t know. And I don’t care.
Bud: What was that?
Lou: I said, I DON’T CARE!
Bud: Oh, that’s our shortstop!
One of my all time favs!