Who’s on First? (1978)

Who’s on First?

“Who’s on First?” is a comedy routine made famous by American comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The premise of the sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello. However, the players’ names can simultaneously serve as the basis for questions and responses, leading to repeated misinterpretations and growing frustration between the performers. The routine was first performed on the Kate Smith Hour radio program in 1938. It was included in their 1940 film debut, One Night in the Tropics, and was also seen in their 1945 film The Naughty Nineties. The skit was also performed numerous times on the radio and on television.

Why is Who’s on First? Popular?

“Who’s on First?” is a cultural touchstone that has inspired homages and derivatives using the names of rock groups such as The Who and Yes, as well as foreign and domestic leaders like Premier Hu, James Watt, and Yassir Arafat. The routine has also transcended comedy as a metaphor for miscommunication and double-talk in business, politics, and everyday life. It has been embraced by radio lovers, filmgoers, comics, and even baseball fans. A gold record of “Who’s on First?” was added to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1956, and a video of the piece plays continuously on screens in the Hall. The skit was made into a board game in the 1970s, and was named the Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th century by Time Magazine in a 1999 issue.

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