First Base- Mr. Hu Second Base- Mr. Watt Third Base- I. Donna Left Field- Mr. Y Center Field- B. Kauz Pitcher- Tom Morrow Catcher- Todd Day Shortstop- Idon Kare And bonus... Right Field- Noah Un (No One)
The first time I heard this was on not-very-good radio reception, and like Lou I wasn't really paying attention to Bud's vital naming-preamble. Really couldn't grasp what the heck Bud was driving at. But the audience laughter and the rapid-fire exchanges still made it hilariously entertaining. Especially the "I don't know what I'm _talking_ about!" Neither did I Lou. We just have to roll with the punches...
It gets old; and it got old: not really funny anymore, too cliché. But ... on the other hand, when you see it like *THIS* ! This is *way* more complex, because of all the logistics involved. The original only has 2 guys, much easier to coordinate. This one has the *team* present! I dunno who's on third, but it sure looks a whole lot like Seinfeld! czcams.com/video/K0Jg7pvVzKk/video.html&pbjreload=101
When I'd read it in text, or seen amateur groups do the bit, it was clever but tired. Watching these guys perform is great. The flow of everything keeps up, the emotion comes naturally and no line is forced.
This should be mandatory viewing for anyone who wants to become a comedy writer. The timing, the pacing, the delivery, the clever use of _actual_ irony; everything comes together perfectly to form one of the most brilliant and timeless comedy sketches ever made. There's a reason this still holds up even after nearly seven and a half decades.
I think a lot of comedians/writers have seen this bit. I've seen Abbot and Costello references in a number of shows and movies even fairly recent ones.
@@J215J Mr Who was The richest player in Baseball history because He has three names ,Mr Who, Mr Absolutely and Mr Naturally he receives Three checks !
The audience was paid actors to be a part of this filming. Silence was needed to clearly record the act. A live audience hearing this for the first time would have been in hysterics.
"Who's the right fielder?" "Nobody" "You don't have a right fielder?" "Of course we do" "Then tell me his name" "Nobody" "You're saying he's a nobody?" "No, he IS Nobody" "So, he's nobody?" "Exactly" "That's pretty mean" "What are you talking about?" "You saying the guy's nobody, that can't be good for his self respect" "No, I'm just saying he's nobody" "Exactly my point, is he any good?" "Of course he is" "Then he can't be nobody" "He IS Nobody" "When you pay him, the money goes to...?" "Nobody" "HE DOESN'T EVEN GET PAID?" "You're making no sense" "I'M MAKING NO SENSE? I ask you the right fielder's name, you insult him, you don't even tell me his name and now you don't even pay him?" "He does get paid, and I did tell you his name" "WHEN?" "Oh, he's a substitute" "WHAT?" "No, What's on second" "I'm not ASKING you who's on second" "Who is on first" "I don't know" "Third Base"/"THIRD BASE!"
for koreans: "우익수 이름은 뭔데?" "없어" "우익수가 없다고? "아니 당연히 있지" "그럼 이름을 말해줘" "없어" "너는 지금 그가 없다고 말하고 있는거야?" "아니야, 그는, '없어'" "어...? 그러면, 그는 없어?" "그렇지" "그게 내가 의미한거야" "뭐라는거야?" "넌 지금 그가 없다고 말하고있어, 그건 그의 자존심을 깍아내리는 행위야" "아니 나는 그저 "그는 없어"라고 말하고 있을 뿐이야" "그게 내 요점이야, 그는 도움이 되었니?" "당연하지, 완전 잘했어" "그러면 그는 없을 수 없지!" "아니지, 그는, '없어'" "너가 그에게 돈을 보낼때, 그 돈이 어디로 가는데?" "없어" "그가 돈조차도 안받았다고?????" "그건 말도 안되지" "말도 안됀다고??? 난 너에게 우익수 이름을 물었고, 넌 그를 모욕했고, 너는 그의 이름도차도 말하지 않았고, 이젠 심지어 그에게 돈을 보내지도 않았다고??" "그는 돈을 받았어, 그리고 난 그의 이름을 말했어" "언제??" "오 그는 우리 교체 선수야" "뭐???" "아니 뭐는 2루수지" "난 네게 2루수가 누구인지 안물어봤어!" "누구는 1루수지" "몰라!" "걘 삼루수지 / 삼루수!" (+ 그는, '없어' 이구간이 약간 부자연스러운데 도저히 IS를 표현할수 없었습니다 ㅜㅜ)
I played among us when it died and someone said “it was ‘Not Blue’” (ya know one of those guys) and someone said “it’s like a bad “who’s on first joke”
This is genius level comedy. No need to swear, make stupid noises or faces… just pure intellect and perfect use of vocabulary. This skit is in a league of its own, absolute brilliance!
+military nut 101 The right fielder's name can't be Nobody because at 2:20 he says "I'm not changing nobody" and that would have made the situation even more confusing then it had been.
First - Mr. Hu Second - Mr. Watt Third - I. Dono Outfield - Mr. Whie Centerfield - B. Cost Pitcher - Tom Morrow Catcher - Tod Day Short-stopper - Idon Care
This version is without a doubt my favorite performance of this legendary skit. It's just so perfectly structured. Every line is delivered perfectly, and the cadences in their deliveries are just brilliant. "After all the man deserves it. Who does? AbsolUtely!" "What time tomorrow you gonna tell me who's pitching? Now listen, who is NOT pitching, who is o.. I'll BREAK YOUR ARM ya say who's on first!" The naturally part is my favorite part of the skit. Just brings the skit to absolute genius status. Bud and Lous deliveries of these lines are just brilliant. "So I throw the ball to first base and naturally gets it..NO, you throw the ball to first base! Then who gets it?! Naturally! THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!" Just an unbelievable performance by the best comedy duo in history. Been listening to it for over thirty years and I crack up every single time without fail.
They have that routine in the Baseball HoF . The final remark from Costello was "and I don't give a damn". Too bad the censors made them water it down.
Timeless. You'll see countless variations of this comic premise in many comedies to this very day including Jerry & George doing their nod to this bit in a few episodes of Seinfeld.
No matter how old this gets, it never gets old. Been listening to it for at least 70 years. Still love it. RIP, Bud and Lou! Thanx for the magic and memories.
(after the center fielder lines) Lou: "Forget them! The right fielder's name!?" Bud: "Where." Lou: "Right field!" Bud: "Where!" Lou: "Who is in right field?!?" Bud: "Only if he backs up."
Source: I own an old reel-type tape recording of the radio show, live from theater before a studio audience. The audience laughed at everything else, but at this part, nothing, just the sound of paper tearing, being crumpled and hitting the floor.
I just watched this with my 23 years old son. He just saw this for the first time. We cracked up like crazy! How wild is it that this skit is almost 80 years old and still bringing bellies full of laughter. Awesome 😎 🤣🙏
+cheeseburger12 Hitting a double would take all the fun out it, wouldn't it? I wonder if anyone warned him that when he hits a single, the crowd might start chuckling.
I did this sketch for the high school talent show in 1980 or so. I was Abbott. I was okay but the Costello we had was dead on. He had the audience ROFL
They had performed it hundreds of times live for vaudeville audiences. From the different videos I've seen of them performing it, it's not a matter of memorizing the lines exactly. They don't actually do it the same every time. I think there are instances where they can go back and forth with the same joke ("Who's on first?" "Yes." "The guy's name on first base." "Who." "That's what I want to know." "Who is on first." "What are you asking me for?") until one of them comes up with the cue to move to the next segment. So when Lou says, "You got an outfield?" Bud automatically moves on. So they only have to know the cue to move on to the next series of jokes. The stuff in between is like a tape loop for them.
We need something to keep us going right now and they say laughter is the best medicine. Arguably that is not necessarily true, but laughter certainly can help when life looks bleak.
Absolute comic genius, timing, and memorization of lines. My buddy and I were playing 20 questions once back in high school. I asked, "Is it plastic?" He said, "Yes!" I then proceeded to ask more questions regarding plastic items in the room to which he said, "It's plastic!" I said, "YES...I KNOW that Roger!" and kept guessing..... To which he looked frustrated and confused. As did I. But I kept guessing. Finally, 5 minutes later after Roger repeating that it's plastic, I finally figured it out....I think of that hilariously frustrating moment when I watch this routine.
I just realized… an underrated part of this bit is how the tall guy leads off by telling the short guy the names of each of the three infielders, in effect what should be not confusing at all, as opposed to way the short guy phrases his question. I’m dyinggggg
I am 27 years old and my entire life I have heard much older people make reference to this sketch. You get the idea in your head that most things from long ago really aren't funny enough to warrant decades of references, let alone nearly a century. I was wrong this is knock me out dead hysterical
Some 70 years later this still makes me laugh hysterically. This is absolute comedy at its best. No swearing no cussing just absolute genius!! I loved Abbott and Costello when I was a little boy in the 70s and I still love them to this day and I’m 50!!!
@@stormcloudsabound For all the issues I have with many of the Boomer generation, there was nothing wrong with this man's comment. Excessive swearing and crassness is low-brow, Amy Schumer-tier garbage. Real comedy is clever and intelligent or absurdist.
Fun fact: "Who's on First?" is available to watch on tape in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, New York. You can also get into the museum and the Hall for free on the first Thursday of every month.
Absolutely hilarious and absolutely brilliant. Abbott and Costello were absolutely decades ahead of their time. Brilliant. Word play is always hilarious if done well and this example is exceptional.
Serious Business wrote: "+YouDabian Your reading comprehension is terrible, mate." Thank you so much, for accessing my reading skills. I appreciate it. However, I was merely reflecting on them being "decades ahead of their time.", as the OP put it. Now, if we agree, that things are getting worse, then that would imply, that they were /worse/ than the standard in their time. As you can see from the above answer from Sean Hayes , that is not what he meant, and I didn't think it was. That is why I needed clarification. Again, thank you for your accesment, and have a great day.
Pure comedic poetry. (And that particular performance might not have been their best one. It truly staggers the mind! Absolutely brilliant. ‘Nuff said!)
3:57 I lose it every time here "What time?" "What time what?" "What time tomorrow you gonna tell me who's pitching?" "Now listen! Who is not pitching! Who is on -" "I'll break your arm you say 'who's on first!'"
I'm 37 years old currently, I had to do this in speech class when I was in high school by myself, watching this I honestly didnt know this is where it originated, I had the whole class and the teacher rolling by the time I was done, classic sketch right here!
@@tc1817 it was kind of weird, I basically had to just turn from one side to the other and change my voice with each turn, like I was having a conversation with myself lol
This is my first time actually hearing the entire gag... here in 2019. And I tell you, I never imagined it was this good and this complex. How long did they have to rehearse to get this routine down? I don't think I could do it with a year's worth of rehearsal.
They'd been doing this bit since it came to their attention in, I think, 1937. This was their signature routine....they'd done countless times by 1952.
Still a classic 70 years later. Why? Because it didn't need to be rude, lewd, or crude to be seriously funny! Pure, honest laughs with a basic concept that is clean and simple for family fun!! Have used this skit with people who have had mental and emotional issues. Seriously, would recommend this to anyone in need of a laugh.
+Carol “tixylix47” Hooker it's funny if you watch it like this because it's and old comedy and everybody will laugh. but if you tell a joke like this in person nowadays, it will come off as cringey or dadjokes. which is fine by me, i like dadjokes, but not everyone like it.
Oliver Queen I like corny jokes, too. I hope to be that little old lady that my grandkids will whisper about. The one labelled eccentric and living life large and loud. I have a wicked sense of humour, can sing amazingly (the cats and I have nearly got our karoake parts perfected) and I don't plan on getting old with the attitude that old age means putting one foot in the grave while waiting for Death to come and help me put the other one in.... This version is the one that Abbot and Costello loved the most as they did it in one go with no mistakes at all. I think it's sad that even our sense of humour is slowly being eroded from our lives... Wherever you are in the world, please have an amazing Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night plus an awesome year....😆😆
+Carol “tixylix47” Hooker For me, it's not that it's funny, but I'm just amazed at how much talent and probably practice it took to perform this and perfect it. This reminds me a lot of some of George Carlin's witty, fast talking monologues, especially the "Hi-Tech" one.
This kind of effort and creativity is hard to pull off like the swedish joke story of a whole story entirely told with every single letter starting with the letter B Trying to do that is extremely difficult and modern standards are.... well spontaneous as to say. So thought and thunder often result in a blast quick to impress and surprise but quicker to go gone
The fact that this bit is nearly 80 years old and can be watched countless times and remain funny every single time is a testament to their talents
It's just so smooth and well performed. Even if you don't feel like laughing you just have to appreciate the sheer brilliance of it.
So weird when you compare to modern shows, seems like no one is laughing.
This is pure genius 🤣
Thought you all might appreciate... ABBA and Costello!!!
czcams.com/video/SlJUCRYvy_Y/video.html
Yo have to concentrate as they are so quick
First Base- Mr. Hu
Second Base- Mr. Watt
Third Base- I. Donna
Left Field- Mr. Y
Center Field- B. Kauz
Pitcher- Tom Morrow
Catcher- Todd Day
Shortstop- Idon Kare
And bonus...
Right Field- Noah Un (No One)
Heh, that’s good-and similar to what I came up with:
1b-Hu
2b-Watts
3b-I. Dunno
Lf- Whei
Cf-Bee Claus
P-T. O’Day
C- T. O. Murrow
Ss- I. Don’givadahn
I came up with one more: Referee- Yesta day
I'd put Abs-olutely and Natural-ly as team coaches
Nice cock!!!
3:58
I can’t imagine how much they had to practice this sketch. It HAD to have been difficult to memorize.
AND to not laugh at it as well? I wonder how many times they broke character laughing
Naturally.
It's one of the most memorized scenes of the 20th century LMAOO
It varies slightly each time. They just feed off each other
The first time I heard this was on not-very-good radio reception, and like Lou I wasn't really paying attention to Bud's vital naming-preamble. Really couldn't grasp what the heck Bud was driving at. But the audience laughter and the rapid-fire exchanges still made it hilariously entertaining. Especially the "I don't know what I'm _talking_ about!"
Neither did I Lou. We just have to roll with the punches...
This was a beautiful age of comedy. Makes me want to give this guy 28 dollars.
I just watched that skit
divided into 7 😉
Sorry for the thumbs down. I fat fingered it. Sorry.
Lol
As long as I can get 13 7 dollar bills.
The recurrence of "I don't know, third base!" is amazing.
It's comic genius.
He's just so painfully close to getting it but he doesn't. He just understands the pattern
@@icareg It does seem like he gets it at the end, but the whole skit is made so it could be the case he’s just accidentally correct.
This clip is 75 years old. But somehow this never gets old.
Comedy that’s centuries ahead
This NEVER gets old....... Only “WE” do!!!!!
It gets old; and it got old: not really funny anymore, too cliché. But ... on the other hand, when you see it like *THIS* ! This is *way* more complex, because of all the logistics involved. The original only has 2 guys, much easier to coordinate. This one has the *team* present! I dunno who's on third, but it sure looks a whole lot like Seinfeld! czcams.com/video/K0Jg7pvVzKk/video.html&pbjreload=101
@@RockBrentwood lmao I've seen that I think its shit compared to the original. Its shit mostly because of the crowd
When I'd read it in text, or seen amateur groups do the bit, it was clever but tired. Watching these guys perform is great. The flow of everything keeps up, the emotion comes naturally and no line is forced.
This should be mandatory viewing for anyone who wants to become a comedy writer. The timing, the pacing, the delivery, the clever use of _actual_ irony; everything comes together perfectly to form one of the most brilliant and timeless comedy sketches ever made. There's a reason this still holds up even after nearly seven and a half decades.
Why would who want to become a comedy writer? He’s a first base man? I’m confused.
@@jackytris2874 i don't know man
I think a lot of comedians/writers have seen this bit. I've seen Abbot and Costello references in a number of shows and movies even fairly recent ones.
@@geraldsahala no he's on third base
@@mrcrushcake456 then who's on first?
The "yes, I understand English" test.
My English teacher showed us this 🤣
The wordplay is genius.
"The test isn't that confusing."
The test:
Perfect use of language. The delivery is so good.
Hello Shannon. Yes the delivery is so good. How are you doing??
@@billanderson8991 the craziest thing is that this seems like their more poorer deliveries. And they still are pretty funny!
Thought you all might appreciate... ABBA and Costello!!!
czcams.com/video/SlJUCRYvy_Y/video.html
@@J215J Mr Who was The richest player in Baseball history because
He has three names ,Mr Who, Mr Absolutely and Mr Naturally he receives Three checks !
Like a beautiful lango tango
And this is why players have numbers on their uniforms .
Why does have a number on his uniform
Who has a number on his uniform
@@CLK944 Naturally. lol
@@pokemonprofessorsassistant1830 okay then, so what's naturally's number?
CLK Yes he does
As fresh today as it was in 1945.
And no dirty words
"I throw the ball to naturally."
"No, you throw it to first base."
"Then who gets it?"
"Naturally."
So brilliant.
Who gets it?
Naturally.
He BETTER!
lol 😂
AAbott: Okay draw me a picture of the field and tell me the names of the players
Castelo: That's what i'm doing!!
it's so weird that the audience was silent... i would be laughing like crazy
Different etiquette for a different time. The audience act this way at classical music concerts to this day.
The audience was paid actors to be a part of this filming. Silence was needed to clearly record the act. A live audience hearing this for the first time would have been in hysterics.
Hell they're probably like me and just trying to keep up with who what when where naturally
thats the idea. you listen to this wonderful performance and not the weezing peeps beside ya
You would be shushed. They all want to hear this.
It’s 2022 and this is still hilarious
It's timeless and an amazingly tight routine. I was surprised, but it seems like rules for comic timing and how to milk a bit haven't really changed.
I still have the tapes
I never thought this would hold up, but it does.
It’s crazy how funny this is
Lol yea
They couldn’t pay me enough to stay quiet during this if I was in the audience
You can actually hear them struggling to not laugh out loud
Why I learned today: never have pronouns, conjunctions or any type of key grammatical words for names. Period.
why are you talking about the right fielder?
I thought why was third fielder?
@@DeathArcher-ip2gf I don't know
@@aidankeys8534 He’s on third
@@ALJ9000 who's on third?
"Who's the right fielder?"
"Nobody"
"You don't have a right fielder?"
"Of course we do"
"Then tell me his name"
"Nobody"
"You're saying he's a nobody?"
"No, he IS Nobody"
"So, he's nobody?"
"Exactly"
"That's pretty mean"
"What are you talking about?"
"You saying the guy's nobody, that can't be good for his self respect"
"No, I'm just saying he's nobody"
"Exactly my point, is he any good?"
"Of course he is"
"Then he can't be nobody"
"He IS Nobody"
"When you pay him, the money goes to...?"
"Nobody"
"HE DOESN'T EVEN GET PAID?"
"You're making no sense"
"I'M MAKING NO SENSE? I ask you the right fielder's name, you insult him, you don't even tell me his name and now you don't even pay him?"
"He does get paid, and I did tell you his name"
"WHEN?"
"Oh, he's a substitute"
"WHAT?"
"No, What's on second"
"I'm not ASKING you who's on second"
"Who is on first"
"I don't know"
"Third Base"/"THIRD BASE!"
This needs more likes, bravo
@Hooda the Antagonist Whoops, my mistake
@@sorensharp4377 Thanks
Well done. I could actually hear Bud and Lou say that.
for koreans:
"우익수 이름은 뭔데?"
"없어"
"우익수가 없다고?
"아니 당연히 있지"
"그럼 이름을 말해줘"
"없어"
"너는 지금 그가 없다고 말하고 있는거야?"
"아니야, 그는, '없어'"
"어...? 그러면, 그는 없어?"
"그렇지"
"그게 내가 의미한거야"
"뭐라는거야?"
"넌 지금 그가 없다고 말하고있어, 그건 그의 자존심을 깍아내리는 행위야"
"아니 나는 그저 "그는 없어"라고 말하고 있을 뿐이야"
"그게 내 요점이야, 그는 도움이 되었니?"
"당연하지, 완전 잘했어"
"그러면 그는 없을 수 없지!"
"아니지, 그는, '없어'"
"너가 그에게 돈을 보낼때, 그 돈이 어디로 가는데?"
"없어"
"그가 돈조차도 안받았다고?????"
"그건 말도 안되지"
"말도 안됀다고??? 난 너에게 우익수 이름을 물었고, 넌 그를 모욕했고, 너는 그의 이름도차도 말하지 않았고, 이젠 심지어 그에게 돈을 보내지도 않았다고??"
"그는 돈을 받았어, 그리고 난 그의 이름을 말했어"
"언제??"
"오 그는 우리 교체 선수야"
"뭐???"
"아니 뭐는 2루수지"
"난 네게 2루수가 누구인지 안물어봤어!"
"누구는 1루수지"
"몰라!"
"걘 삼루수지 / 삼루수!"
(+ 그는, '없어' 이구간이 약간 부자연스러운데 도저히 IS를 표현할수 없었습니다 ㅜㅜ)
This might actually be the most genius thing ever in the history of the universe.
Um....please don't change the likes...it's 42. And it's about the universe. And life, and everything. Don't jinx it!!!! VIRTUAL LIKE!
It's not only brilliant, but I still can't get over how they were able to memorize as well as they did.
azul8811 They didn’t memorize it, they just got confused while doing it
@@mootwo_ Oh? I'd say if anyone is confused, it's you!
azul8811 I’d say it was you because my comment was a joke haha
I swear this is just a replay of the meetings I have with management everyday.
Except with management you get fired if you laugh.
This never, ever gets old and despite it being nearly 100 years old, I still hear people make references to it.
I played among us when it died and someone said “it was ‘Not Blue’” (ya know one of those guys) and someone said “it’s like a bad “who’s on first joke”
This is as tight as it gets, folks. You absolutely cannot do a routine better than this.
I have said this many times but this is possibly the best comedy routine in history.
They did this routine better
@@XaviRonaldo0 😔
@@romanrover5839 perhaps you misunderstood my meaning. They have done better performances of this act
@@XaviRonaldo0 Oh alright My bad. That’s pretty dope tho
“That’s the first thing you’ve said right”
“I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT”
same tho
Me learning math.
Makes me think of the movie Arrival. The "aliens" in the movie are named Abbott and Costello. This skit is almost surely why.
Me half way through a presentation for school lmao
Me when I ace an essay I bs'd my way through
MANCHESTER UNITED literally no one asked
"You going to tell me who you got in right field?" "Eventually."
This is genius level comedy.
No need to swear, make stupid noises or faces… just pure intellect and perfect use of vocabulary.
This skit is in a league of its own, absolute brilliance!
A "league" of its own?
@@alexanderharrison3912 W H E E Z E… 😐😐😐😐
0:55 goofy/stupid noise plus a face.
@@daovrlord8051 barely
@@daovrlord8051mf watched the skit again looking for a way to disagree lol
As far as we know Nobody plays right field.
+TheRobobuck we should get Somebody to
+Master Farr then we should really get Somebody to fill in!
+Master Farr is the outfielder I know him but why are you talkin about in.
lol
+military nut 101 The right fielder's name can't be Nobody because at 2:20 he says "I'm not changing nobody" and that would have made the situation even more confusing then it had been.
First - Mr. Hu
Second - Mr. Watt
Third - I. Dono
Outfield - Mr. Whie
Centerfield - B. Cost
Pitcher - Tom Morrow
Catcher - Tod Day
Short-stopper - Idon Care
U forgot Noe Wan
NATURALLY
@@bartekdwornik5528 So I pick up the ball and throw it to Naturally?
I thought it was Tamara
Joel Blake ONE BASE AT A TIME!
This version is without a doubt my favorite performance of this legendary skit. It's just so perfectly structured. Every line is delivered perfectly, and the cadences in their deliveries are just brilliant.
"After all the man deserves it. Who does? AbsolUtely!"
"What time tomorrow you gonna tell me who's pitching? Now listen, who is NOT pitching, who is o.. I'll BREAK YOUR ARM ya say who's on first!"
The naturally part is my favorite part of the skit. Just brings the skit to absolute genius status.
Bud and Lous deliveries of these lines are just brilliant.
"So I throw the ball to first base and naturally gets it..NO, you throw the ball to first base! Then who gets it?! Naturally! THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!"
Just an unbelievable performance by the best comedy duo in history. Been listening to it for over thirty years and I crack up every single time without fail.
6:11 The crowd is supposed to be silent, but I think someone couldn't help but wheeze
Their timing is absolutely perfect. Almost 80 years later and this is still pure brilliance. Hilarious stuff.
gleebergloben1 no it is not. Not the slightest funny.
Pranesh Pal woah there edgelord
@@ppal64 The least interesting person in the world has arrived.
@@ppal64 ok zoomer. You probably find tiktok dances funnier instead. It's ok that your opinion is wrong.
It was uploaded 11 years ago, why is it black and white?
"Who's on first?" was voted as best comedy act of the twentieth century !
plan9area51 why?
by whom? Oh, he's the batting coach.
Matty G he’s the middle fielder.
Both of these men were inducted into the baseball hall of fame and they never played the game.
They have that routine in the Baseball HoF . The final remark from Costello was "and I don't give a damn". Too bad the censors made them water it down.
I remember two of my teachers did this for the class out of nowhere in like 3rd grade and we were all dying laughing
I love how despite their arguments, that when Costello was giving an example of wanting to be a catcher scene that Abbot was considering it.
"I don't know, I just thought I'd ask ya" and "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" kill me every time 😂😂😂
I love how you can tell at 2:51 Costello forgot what Abbott's name in the movie was but plays it off perfectly
Timeless. You'll see countless variations of this comic premise in many comedies to this very day including Jerry & George doing their nod to this bit in a few episodes of Seinfeld.
Even Vin Scully mentioned it during a Dodger game when a Korean major leaguer named Hu got on first base.
Family Guy does a very brief variation of this when Lois suggests Brian could join PETA.
No matter how old this gets, it never gets old.
Been listening to it for at least 70 years. Still love it.
RIP, Bud and Lou!
Thanx for the magic and memories.
(after the center fielder lines)
Lou: "Forget them! The right fielder's name!?"
Bud: "Where."
Lou: "Right field!"
Bud: "Where!"
Lou: "Who is in right field?!?"
Bud: "Only if he backs up."
“Only if WHO backs up?”
“Yeah.”
Source: I own an old reel-type tape recording of the radio show, live from theater before a studio audience.
The audience laughed at everything else, but at this part, nothing, just the sound of paper tearing, being crumpled and hitting the floor.
@@YamamotoTV2021 Replace yeah with naturally, and you've got it.
bRILLIANT
@@YamamotoTV2021 "IF WHO BACKS UP?!"
"Yeah who's on first"
"I DONT KNOW!!"
both: "THIRD BASE!!!"
"Have you got a first baseman on first?"
"Certainly!"
"Then who's playing first?"
"Absolutely!"
*deadass stare*
I just watched this with my 23 years old son. He just saw this for the first time. We cracked up like crazy! How wild is it that this skit is almost 80 years old and still bringing bellies full of laughter. Awesome 😎 🤣🙏
One of the best comedy skits ever. And a timeless one too.
"I don't care!" "That's our short stop." I lost it.
Ahh 10 months ago before the pandemic mann i miss it
@@mariomiguel8248 agreeable
No you're not, Lost It is in in right field!
“he’s on third we’re not talking about him”
for some reason that gets me every time. it’s like “we don’t talk about the third basemen”
This sketch NEVER gets old! Their timing was dead on !
70 years old and still a fantastic skit.
The Dodgers had a Japanese ballplayer name Hu a few years ago. You know the announcers always got a kick out of him getting on base. I know I did.
+cheeseburger12 Hitting a double would take all the fun out it, wouldn't it? I wonder if anyone warned him that when he hits a single, the crowd might start chuckling.
Vin Scully made big deal out of it...."I can finally say it; Hu is on first base."
Actually Taiwanese.
I've seen that meme on fb
ISLAVERDE29
Taiwanese players definitely don’t want to be mixed up with Japanese players. lol
They make it look easy but these guys were true pros. Great writing and execution.
This is so incredible. I wish they still had this kind of humor today in movies and shows.
I watch this before every opening day of the season. Timeless skit from the golden age of comedy. Cracks me up every time I watch it. :)
"I throw the ball to Who and Naturally gets it."
im dead
JuniperFur same
You don't. You throw it to who.
Naturally does not it. Who gets it.
I don't know.
He's on third base.
Can you imagine how hard this scene is??? They make it look so easy!!!
I manage to do it at work when I try to explain the skit to co workers.
I'm doing this scene for my Theatre class and I can confirm that it's increadably hard to pull off
I did this sketch for the high school talent show in 1980 or so. I was Abbott. I was okay but the Costello we had was dead on. He had the audience ROFL
Can you imagine how agonizing this is in 2019? Jesus H. Christ. He was in Right Field.
They had performed it hundreds of times live for vaudeville audiences. From the different videos I've seen of them performing it, it's not a matter of memorizing the lines exactly. They don't actually do it the same every time. I think there are instances where they can go back and forth with the same joke ("Who's on first?" "Yes." "The guy's name on first base." "Who." "That's what I want to know." "Who is on first." "What are you asking me for?") until one of them comes up with the cue to move to the next segment. So when Lou says, "You got an outfield?" Bud automatically moves on. So they only have to know the cue to move on to the next series of jokes. The stuff in between is like a tape loop for them.
Hahaha 🤣🤣😂 what a freaking piece of gold!!! Laughing so hard I'm sweating!! Old stuff is legendary!! Had no room for mistakes and they killed it!!
The player's names:
1st base: Who
2nd base: Watt
3rd base: Aedunov
pitcher: Tamare
catcher: Tadae
left fielder: Whai
center fielder: Bicozz
You forgot the short stop
@@masonblankenship7677 who shortstop
@@Wehatedeboy no who's on first
@@masonblankenship7677 what on second
@@Wehatedeboy I'm not asking you who's on second!
Who else thinks that these two could have played the two robbers in home alone
I just see Drake and Josh
They would have been BETTER!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍👍
Home alone is an affront to the quality of skill in show business these two carried in their shirt pocket.
They do give off that kind of energy.
*pandemic outbreak is going on*
CZcams: watch these two hilarious guys talking a fiction baseball team with crazy names
We need something to keep us going right now and they say laughter is the best medicine. Arguably that is not necessarily true, but laughter certainly can help when life looks bleak.
Left fielders name?
@Kaipo Hoapili if you were wondering their names are abbot and costello
Wylie Knapek we know that
@@CincySportsFan no, he's in right field
The hands down funniest comedy sketch ever written and performed. No one will ever write anything as clever as this period.
I was in fifth grade and my teacher read this to us. I was the only one laughing hard. It was 1991, but I still think this is hilarious 😂
100 years from now, this will still be recommended to people on whatever video platform exists and they will still be laughing at it.
Hopefully we'll have evolved to the point where people correctly say 'whomst on first'.
No. The liberals will redefine every pronoun definition by then. It will be offensive and banned.
Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it.
Who’s wife
Yes
And she puts all the money in a bag.
His wife's name is "Yes"?
@@its1110 no it's Who's wife.
InYoFace 05 what?
@@dewdropper1348 No, What's on Second
Absolute comic genius, timing, and memorization of lines.
My buddy and I were playing 20 questions once back in high school. I asked, "Is it plastic?" He said, "Yes!" I then proceeded to ask more questions regarding plastic items in the room to which he said, "It's plastic!" I said, "YES...I KNOW that Roger!" and kept guessing..... To which he looked frustrated and confused. As did I. But I kept guessing. Finally, 5 minutes later after Roger repeating that it's plastic, I finally figured it out....I think of that hilariously frustrating moment when I watch this routine.
I can’t believe I haven’t seen this until today. I’ve seen so many spoofs since I was a kid, but never the original. This is hilarious.
They say the mark of greatness is when everything before you is obsolete and everything after you bears your mark.
Ladies and gentleman, this is it
“Who’s on second?” “No, Who’s on first” “I dunno” *”third base”*
Hello Heather👋, How are you doing?
I just realized… an underrated part of this bit is how the tall guy leads off by telling the short guy the names of each of the three infielders, in effect what should be not confusing at all, as opposed to way the short guy phrases his question. I’m dyinggggg
They must have rehearsed this skit 1,000 times to get it down pat and perfect. Truly amazing.
I am 27 years old and my entire life I have heard much older people make reference to this sketch. You get the idea in your head that most things from long ago really aren't funny enough to warrant decades of references, let alone nearly a century.
I was wrong this is knock me out dead hysterical
Some 70 years later this still makes me laugh hysterically. This is absolute comedy at its best. No swearing no cussing just absolute genius!! I loved Abbott and Costello when I was a little boy in the 70s and I still love them to this day and I’m 50!!!
why'd you ruin a perfectly good comments section, boomer?
@@stormcloudsabound No need to be rude, bud.
@Brp 549 bruh
@@stormcloudsabound For all the issues I have with many of the Boomer generation, there was nothing wrong with this man's comment. Excessive swearing and crassness is low-brow, Amy Schumer-tier garbage. Real comedy is clever and intelligent or absurdist.
@@stormcloudsabound how is appreciating non vulgar comedy a boomer comment. Quit bein a karen.
This sketch still makes me laugh. Their timing’s perfect!
Anyone else here because of that YOU on Ingraham’s Fox show.
You know it 😂
75 years old, and nothing has come close to eclipsing this gem. Truly wonderful.
"Now, that's the first thing you said right."
"I don't if know what am talking about."
😂😂😂
I love this skit so much so that my friend and I preformed it at our schools coffee house and everyone loved it and I guarantee it will never get old!
Fun fact: "Who's on First?" is available to watch on tape in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, New York. You can also get into the museum and the Hall for free on the first Thursday of every month.
TO THIS DAY thats the BEST skit... no cussin, no disrespect... just pure funny... LMAO...
Heck yeah! I love this.
Word play is always the best and these two were decades ahead of their time.
MOST DEFINITELY! (oh no, he's in the outfield, Definitely.)
Well, the original final phrase was "I don't give a d**n", but they cleaned it up.. so technically there's some cussin'...
this and their "back up go ahead" skit are two of my top 10 favorite skits of all time
This skit will still be hilarious 10,000 years from now
Absolutely and utterly timeless, this routine
Almost 70 years later this is still better than 90% of what you find on youtube
“Pick up your hat! Go pick up your hat!!” I wish more people knew about Abbot and Costello, they are the best 😅
I'm 59years old this has been my favorite skit for over 40years
if only comedy's now a days could be this great. man this is history . no vulgar, no politicalness. just straight humor!
I’ve come back to this video at least once a week for the past 7-8 months and it never fails to make me laugh
This skit still holds up in 2019. What a timeless classic.
What is on second base, not a timeless piece.
@@luigines6457 I Don't Know Why he's not in the hall of fame. If not Today, then Tomorrow.
Brian Cannon Why is not in the hall fame because I don’t care.
This is the greatest comedy bit of all time.
I couldn't agree with you more!
I know
Niagra falls!
Check out the Two Ronnies’ fork handle sketch.
Niagara Falls is number two 😉
Thanks for the laughs and the memories. This was classic TV at it's finest.
Still one of the funniest bits in comedy history 😂😂
Absolutely hilarious and absolutely brilliant. Abbott and Costello were absolutely decades ahead of their time. Brilliant. Word play is always hilarious if done well and this example is exceptional.
Abbott and Castello are brilliant, but I don't know if things are getting better with time.
I don't think things are getting better with time. I didn't say they were though.
Right.
+YouDabian
Your reading comprehension is terrible, mate.
Serious Business wrote:
"+YouDabian
Your reading comprehension is terrible, mate."
Thank you so much, for accessing my reading skills. I appreciate it.
However, I was merely reflecting on them being "decades ahead of their time.", as the OP put it. Now, if we agree, that things are getting worse, then that would imply, that they were /worse/ than the standard in their time. As you can see from the above answer from Sean Hayes , that is not what he meant, and I didn't think it was.
That is why I needed clarification.
Again, thank you for your accesment, and have a great day.
74 years out, and this is still a killer piece of comedy. Genius doesn't age.
Pure comedic poetry. (And that particular performance might not have been their best one. It truly staggers the mind! Absolutely brilliant. ‘Nuff said!)
3:57 I lose it every time here
"What time?"
"What time what?"
"What time tomorrow you gonna tell me who's pitching?"
"Now listen! Who is not pitching! Who is on -"
"I'll break your arm you say 'who's on first!'"
"Who's watching in 2017?" "Naturally."
Canaan B who's on first
Canaan B me
Canaan B who's on first. I don't know. Third base!
Who's would be dead by now
I dont care who'd be dead by now
I'm 37 years old currently, I had to do this in speech class when I was in high school by myself, watching this I honestly didnt know this is where it originated, I had the whole class and the teacher rolling by the time I was done, classic sketch right here!
how do you do the skit by yourself?
@@tc1817 it was kind of weird, I basically had to just turn from one side to the other and change my voice with each turn, like I was having a conversation with myself lol
@@Weinmaste must have taken the whole classroom time
And no one else knew that you were doing Abbot and Costello? Not even the teacher?
@@johangodojolo8652 the teacher knew, my classmates had no idea I'm sure!
This should be mandatory viewing for all aspiring comedians because this is the funniest thing on the internet and it always will be
I'm very glad i had awesome people in my life to show me these two wonderful pals!! One of the funniest skits ever done!
holy shit I didn't realize they performed this in one take on MULTIPLE OCCASIONS
If you listen closely you can even hear the crew holding back laughter.
TheRedBrother You are right!
I had to listen to it again to hear it.
Yo I can hear
If u can listen closely, u can hear ME trying to hold my laughter
This truly never gets old, every once in a while I remember this bit and come back to watch it and I laugh the whole time again
This is just great! Ageless, timeless! Love it as do my children.
This is my first time actually hearing the entire gag... here in 2019. And I tell you, I never imagined it was this good and this complex. How long did they have to rehearse to get this routine down? I don't think I could do it with a year's worth of rehearsal.
They'd been doing this bit since it came to their attention in, I think, 1937. This was their signature routine....they'd done countless times by 1952.
At least 10,000 hours to master a skill. Stage is no different.
And todays "comedians" think they have to throw in f bombs and other profanity to be funny. You don't need those if you have talent!
This is just a tiny bit in a longer radio play, I once had a cassette tape with the full thing on it, the whole thing took up both sides of the tape
Apparently each rehearsal is different as it's mostly improvised with the rules of the scenario kept in mind.
Still a classic 70 years later.
Why? Because it didn't need to be rude, lewd, or crude to be seriously funny!
Pure, honest laughs with a basic concept that is clean and simple for family fun!!
Have used this skit with people who have had mental and emotional issues.
Seriously, would recommend this to anyone in need of a laugh.
+Carol “tixylix47” Hooker it's funny if you watch it like this because it's and old comedy and everybody will laugh. but if you tell a joke like this in person nowadays, it will come off as cringey or dadjokes. which is fine by me, i like dadjokes, but not everyone like it.
Oliver Queen I like corny jokes, too.
I hope to be that little old lady that my grandkids will whisper about.
The one labelled eccentric and living life large and loud. I have a wicked sense of humour, can sing amazingly (the cats and I have nearly got our karoake parts perfected) and I don't plan on getting old with the attitude that old age means putting one foot in the grave while waiting for Death to come and help me put the other one in....
This version is the one that Abbot and Costello loved the most as they did it in one go with no mistakes at all.
I think it's sad that even our sense of humour is slowly being eroded from our lives...
Wherever you are in the world, please have an amazing Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night plus an awesome year....😆😆
+Carol “tixylix47” Hooker For me, it's not that it's funny, but I'm just amazed at how much talent and probably practice it took to perform this and perfect it. This reminds me a lot of some of George Carlin's witty, fast talking monologues, especially the "Hi-Tech" one.
This kind of effort and creativity is hard to pull off like the swedish joke story of a whole story entirely told with every single letter starting with the letter B
Trying to do that is extremely difficult and modern standards are.... well spontaneous as to say. So thought and thunder often result in a blast quick to impress and surprise but quicker to go gone
Great post. I wholeheartedly agree.
Totally Brilliant. This is why these two were so famous and enjoyed by all.
Such a great classic. No one else can do it like them. Timeless.