# Do you think Who's on First is funny? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 6, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018 "2020-03-06T16:21:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/41 "2020-03-06T20:49:59Z")
It’s funny. It’s really funny, or else it wouldn’t still be mentioned or referenced or parodied. Is “Stairway to Heaven” a good rock song? Yes. Absolutely. But we’ve all heard it so many times that it’s lost its glitter, so to speak. Is the “Mona Lisa” a great painting? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/42 "2020-03-06T21:09:36Z")
I think it is one of the funniest bits in the history of English language comedy. And I have heard it a dozen times. Or more. Because the tension builds and builds and builds, and you want to jump in and correct. And Costello asks the questions in the right way, in the way that _should_ resolve it, but don’t. A simple idea for a sketch, that should be obvious, but wasn’t, until it was performed. And so obvious that the audience immediately “gets” the joke right at the outset, and it builds up to the punch line “Oh, that’s our shortstop!” Some things will always be funny - farts, and “Who’s On First?” Regards, I Don’t Give A Darn ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/43 "2020-03-06T21:34:32Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Just showed my kids (11 & 9) this routine for the first time a few weeks ago. Once they caught on to the joke, they were laughing so hard I had to stop and rewind a couple times. I was laughing right along with them, but admittedly, I may have been influenced by their reaction. I haven’t shown this to my kids (and probably won’t) but I would expect my 8 year old would be tickled by the word play. It’s pretty similar to the sort of thing he likes to do anyway (not quite as polished of course). It isn’t terrible. The delivery is pretty good, and it is reasonably fast paced. Pacing is often the reason I can’t watch very old comedy and why the Airplane style series of movies feels like such a comedic turning point (just the sheer deluge of jokes). I was mildly amused for a minute or two. But I don’t need to see it again, and I shut it off after a couple of minutes. It’s a pretty steady variation of the same joke so I don’t think the third minute and beyond add any more enjoyment than I got out of the first couple. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/44 "2020-03-06T21:40:42Z")
Shodan: > [@](#): > > Some things will always be funny - farts, and “Who’s On First?” Then [this](https://southpark.cc.com/clips/152744/thats-not-philip) must be the most timeless bit of humor ever. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/45 "2020-03-06T21:44:03Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Just showed my kids (11 & 9) this routine for the first time a few weeks ago. Once they caught on to the joke, they were laughing so hard I had to stop and rewind a couple times. I was laughing right along with them, but admittedly, I may have been influenced by their reaction. I haven’t shown this to my kids (and probably won’t) but I would expect my 8 year old would be tickled by the word play. It’s pretty similar to the sort of thing he likes to do anyway (not quite as polished of course). It isn’t terrible. The delivery is pretty good, and it is reasonably fast paced. Pacing is often the reason I can’t watch very old comedy and why the Airplane style series of movies feels like such a comedic turning point (just the sheer deluge of jokes). I was mildly amused for a minute or two. But I don’t need to see it again, and I shut it off after a couple of minutes. It’s a pretty steady variation of the same joke so I don’t think the third minute and beyond add any more enjoyment than I got out of the first couple. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/46 "2020-03-06T21:58:12Z")
I’ve listened to it probably hundreds of times, and I still laugh out loud. In the particular recording I have (you can find dozens on the internet), Bud’s timing and delivery are impeccable, and some of Lou’s exasperated reactions are simply uproarious. As an aside, everybody is, of course, free to like and not like whatever they want to. But I find that the practice of putting down something that is beloved by millions to the point of insult is a weird kind of egotism, possibly coupled with insecurity. Are you trying to appear smarter than everybody else by going against the flow? Whatever, dude. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/47 "2020-03-06T22:07:49Z")
There are two main versions. The short version where the only players are Who, What, Idontknow and Idontgivea----\*. In the long version the players Why, Because, Tomorrow and Today are also given. (No name for one position, right field, is given.) A good filmed version of the short routine is superb. The looks that Costello gives make the bit. A radio version just isn’t the same. The longer version I oscillate on. Sometimes I think it’s good, sometimes I think it just drags on. Also … “Hey look, a bunch of cows.” - The ending varies depending on censorship restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/48 "2020-03-06T22:30:02Z")
I vote FUNNY Oh there is no poll? Why is there no poll? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/49 "2020-03-07T00:13:34Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > It’s a little bit funny the first time, IMHO. It does not hold up well to being repeated over and over. My first exposure to it was a parody about a rock festival featuring The Who, the Guess Who, and Yes. I was a tween telling my parents about it, and was surprised when they told me that they knew what I was talking about (sort of). Here’s another example of a comedy routine that doesn’t hold up to repeated listens. May be NSFW for language. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Vz3dG-TRKms/maxresdefault.jpg "Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz3dG-TRKms) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/50 "2020-03-07T01:22:17Z")
The original is funny, and maybe the first few pastiches and tributes were too, but by now there are so many that it’s tired and overdone. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/51 "2020-03-07T01:56:46Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > It’s still quite funny even after seeing it a hundred times. It was hilarious the first time. My favorite version is the one from the first season of Kids in the Hall. “Oh! I see the problem here. You’re confused because their names all sound like questions!” The Simpson’s had a similar take - “the ironically named…” BTW, I don’t click the links so your description was helpful despite a previous post. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/52 "2020-03-07T02:39:46Z")
We’re all so jaded because we’ve seen/heard the bit constantly since we were children. It’s first-class word play that Abbott and Costello sharpened to a fine point. I don’t _need_ to hear it over and over again, but then again, I don’t\* need\* to hear Groucho\* say, “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I’ll never know” to appreciate it. \*I know. I don’t need to hear Groucho again? DIE INFIDEL! ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/53 "2020-03-07T02:49:04Z")
In 2007, when Chen-Lung Hu got his first hit for the Dodgers, even Vin Scully had to say “Hu’s on first”. In 1938, everything was still scrubbed so clean by the Hays Code, nothing was allowed that was actually funny. To this day, if a person falls down in a film, it is certain to get a prominent spot in the trailer to identify it a comedy film (“Home Alone”). Slapstick still sells, but it has long since stopped being funny. You could also say “Take me out to the ball game” is cringe worthy music, but it endures as a tradition. Is “Who” funny? Sure, if you’re 9 and you’re hearing it for the first time. But how many things that you “got” at age 9 are still funny? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/54 "2020-03-07T03:03:24Z")
Most of them? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/55 "2020-03-07T03:08:23Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > It’s first-class word play that Abbott and Costello sharpened to a fine point. I don’t _need_ to hear it over and over again, but then again, I don’t\* need\* to hear Groucho\* say, “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I’ll never know” to appreciate it. Everybody remembers this quote exactly as you stated it. It scans right. But the actual original is: One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/56 "2020-03-07T03:54:13Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It’s a classic routine, I still find it funny. I’m with **BobLibDem** on this. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/57 "2020-03-07T04:12:18Z")
It still cracks my ass up every time. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/58 "2020-03-07T05:46:52Z")
[quote=“Bijou\_Drains, post:13, topic:849018”] Here is a version of Who, Guess Who, Yes with Harry Shearer I actually thought that was pretty funny when I saw it but in retrospect it was because the rest of that so-called movie \*Crackin Up\* sucked so very badly. Somebody shoudl redo it today with some new names. Someplace I can't hear it. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/59 "2020-03-07T06:31:39Z")
I find it very hilarious. > [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Here is a version of Who, Guess Who, Yes with Harry Shearer > > This is pretty funny from Andy Griffith in 1953 > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNxLxTZHKM8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNxLxTZHKM8) I liked the first Youtube, a variation of “Who’s on First.” The 2nd Youtube isn’t bad … but it’s not like “Who’s on First.” ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018/60 "2020-03-07T06:37:29Z")
Here’s Johnny Carson doing it as President Reagan. [Johnny Carson as Reagan, a "Who's On First" spoof - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evt6As72m4) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-whos-on-first-is-funny/849018.md?page=4)