Did you know?…
Abbott and Costello first performed the Who’s On First? routine for a national audience on the popular radio show, The Kate Smith Hour, in March 1938, just one month after the comedy duo’s radio debut. Over time the skit, referred to by the duo informally as Baseball, became their signature routine. Believe it or not, there are about 20 different versions of Who’s On First? Depending on the version, Abbott is sometimes organizing a new baseball team and the players have nicknames, or he is simply pointing out how more and more baseball players have nick names.
Abbott and Costello’s last performance of Who’s On First? was in 1957 on the Steve Allen television show.
The success of Who’s On First? led to other skits with similar rapid back and forth wordplay. The most successful of these is Hertz U-Drive, about, of course, renting a car.
Lastly, for all you die hard Who’s On First? fans, can you name the only baseball position that is not mentioned in the full length version of the routine?
For the answer, you’ll need to read the Who’s On First? – Part III.