Decades after their careers ended, Abbott and Costello are still household names. Their “Who’s on First?” routine is believed by many to be the best comedy routine of all time. The fact that today’s kids are aware of it is proof that Abbott and Costello stand the test of time.
The premise of the “Who’s on First?” sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello, but their names and nicknames can be interpreted as non-responsive answers to Costello’s questions. A man named Who is playing first base. Costello cannot understand that his name is on who. Instead, he thinks Abbott is asking him who is on first.
They did the routine in Vaudeville acts for a year before debuting it on national radio in 1938 on Kate Smith’s show. It has been a staple of American comedy ever since. You can watch a hilarious video of Abbott and Costello performing it below. It is one that never gets old.
I often hear kids laughing as they ask “Who’s on first?” at the ballpark. This routine is one that will likely be appreciated for many more generations to come!
Abbott and Costello performed this beloved skit several times for President Franklin Roosevelt. He apparently loved it as much as the rest of us do.
Ironically, when Los Angeles Dodger shortstop Chin Lung-Hu got his first major league hit he landed on first base. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully took the opportunity to say, “Shades of Abbott and Costello, I can finally say, ‘Hu is on first base’.”
The skit was often performed at the beginning of baseball season. In at least one instance, it began with legendary slugger Joe DiMaggio asking Costello to take over for him because of an injury.
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