# Most famous comedy skit of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 1, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975 "2004-03-01T21:20:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![3Much](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/4af34b/32.png) [@3Much](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3Much)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/41 "2004-03-02T12:29:29Z")
Okay, I think we are all (for the most part) agreed that Who’s on First takes the title of Most Famous, but I couldn’t just sit by and have Chris Farley’s motivational speaker “Living in a van down by the river” bit go unmentioned. I know it’s not famous outside the U.S., and probably not remembered by 1/4 as many people, but I wanted it listed, just on general principal. ---
**Author:** ![Verick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ea666f/32.png) [@Verick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Verick)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/42 "2004-03-02T12:35:58Z")
I’ve only ever seen the Niagara Falls skip preformed by the Three Stooges. Though I have no doubt it was in use before they played it. Maybe that will jog your memory a bit more as to where you heard it, and perhaps aid in any searches for a transcript. ---
**Author:** ![Verick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ea666f/32.png) [@Verick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Verick)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/43 "2004-03-02T12:43:35Z")
Ok, sorry for the double post, but here is a link to a blog regarding the bit, it contains several links to diffrent sources. [http://www.crn.com/weblogs/stevegillmor/2003/08/08/08.asp](http://www.crn.com/weblogs/stevegillmor/2003/08/08/08.asp) Just go all the way down to the bottom of the page. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/44 "2004-03-02T14:36:39Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Maybe this is MY ignorance showing, but I thought that was a nod to Buster Keaton, not Chaplin. I think it is Chaplin. There is an episode of _The Simpsons_ where Grampa imitates this act to entertain his date, but is forced to stop by Chaplin’s lawyers. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/45 "2004-03-02T14:55:59Z")
> [@Sparrow](#): > > I’ve never heard of it. Can you provide a link please? No sooner asked than [done](http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/slowly.html)! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/46 "2004-03-02T15:00:28Z")
Upon seeing the thread title, and before opening the thread, the first two that came to mind were **Who’s on First?** and **Dead Parrot**. If you had asked the question in 1945, I’m sure **Niagra Falls** would be up there, but I doubt anyone has referenced that routine since 1960 or so. I also like **MrDibble** ’s mention of **running through doors in a corridor**. That one still turns up regularly. (Does it qualify as a “skit,” though? Is there a technical difference between a skit and a routine? Or a bit?) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/47 "2004-03-02T15:16:19Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > No sooner asked than [done](http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/slowly.html)! The “Niagara Falls” skit fails an important test as to whether something is famous or not: I’ve never heard of it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/48 "2004-03-02T15:19:53Z")
Slight hijack here, but who really came up with the dinner roll gag? It is most closely associated with Chaplin, who put it to film in The Gold Rush in 1925. However, [according to this site](http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviews/g/goldrush.shtml) the gag “had been around since at least Fatty Arbuckle did it in 1917’s ‘The Rough House’…” IS Chaplin getting credit for a stolen bit? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/49 "2004-03-02T15:27:59Z")
If we’re going into SNL sketches, I Find that a huge number of people recognize the lines, “It’s a floor wax! It’s a dessert topping!” and, “‘Eww, this milk is really spoiled.’ ‘Really? Let me try!’” And you can break up a bunch of geeks by mumbling at the appropriate time, “Candygram.” But I still think Who’s on First? would win, even above mirror routines: mirror-reflection games are different from one another, but Who’s on First? refers to a specific set of dialogue that’s probably more famous than any other specific standalone comedy routine. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/50 "2004-03-02T15:31:41Z")
I’d place The Cheese Shop a very close second to The Parrot Sketch. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/51 "2004-03-02T15:43:19Z")
I remember seeing it in a movie, but I forgot which one. Since I was having a brain fart on “Gold Rush”, I tried googling “Little Tramp” images looking for a still of that scene. FYI, make sure your safe search function is ON if you google that at work. I didn’t even think about it, and :eek: … For SNL skits, I nominate the “Schwetty Weiner” skit. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/52 "2004-03-02T15:51:17Z")
I can’t answer the OP, but [the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand](http://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90mkillers.phtml) is the most famous comedy killer of all time. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/53 "2004-03-02T16:34:52Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > If we’re going into SNL sketches, I Find that a huge number of people recognize the lines, “It’s a floor wax! It’s a dessert topping!” Daniel Chevy: “It’s new Shimmer. The dessert topping that’s also a floor wax. Here, try it.” Dan: “Tastes great!” Gilda: “And just look at that shine.” I submit that, in the U.S. “Who’s on first” is definitely the most famous, although it may not be elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/54 "2004-03-02T16:51:14Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > If we’re going into SNL sketches, I Find that a huge number of people recognize the lines, “It’s a floor wax! It’s a dessert topping!” and, “‘Eww, this milk is really spoiled.’ ‘Really? Let me try!’” > > And you can break up a bunch of geeks by mumbling at the appropriate time, “Candygram.” > > But I still think Who’s on First? would win, even above mirror routines: mirror-reflection games are different from one another, but Who’s on First? refers to a specific set of dialogue that’s probably more famous than any other specific standalone comedy routine. > > Daniel And let’s not forget: “Jane, you ignorant slut.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/55 "2004-03-02T17:22:52Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Slight hijack from the OP, but _Animaniacs_, a few years ago, had a fantastically hilarious homage to “Who’s On First.” It took place at Woodstock, and it concerned The Band, The Who, and Yes. > > I just tried to find a link, but haven’t been able to locate one yet. Suffice it to say, it went something like this: > > Slappy Squirrel: What’s the name of the band? > > Nephew: Who > > Slappy: The band on stage > > Nephew: Who > > Slappy: You’re starting to sound like an owl. Is there a band on stage? > > Nephew: Yes. > > Slappy: Does the band have a name? > > Nephew: Yes. > > Slappy: Is Yes the name of the band? > > Nephew: No, Aunt Slappy. Yes isn’t even AT this concert. > [@wolf\_meister](#): > > **Who’s On First?** - Undoubtedly the most famous and possibly the most parodied. > Another “rock band” version of this is 1) the Who 2) Guess Who and 3) Yes. > A few years ago, Charlie Sheen and Rachel Dratch on “Saturday Night Live” did a version of this where Charlie is asking about prostitutes and what each one does. > Amazing to think that a 50 year old sketch (or parodies thereof) can still get laughs. Johnny Carson (as Pres. Reagan) once did a sketch that could be callled “Who’s on the Phone?”. See a Quicktime clip [here](http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/entertainment/whats_showing/). > [@spoke-](#): > > If you had asked the question in 1945, I’m sure **Niagra Falls** would be up there, but I doubt anyone has referenced that routine since 1960 or so. Last time I saw it was in an episode of M_A_S\*H, I believe spoken by Hawkeye during a bout of insomnia. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/56 "2004-03-02T17:24:42Z")
At least I _think_ that’s the right clip. I don’t have Quicktime here. ---
**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 2, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/57 "2004-03-02T18:12:14Z")
The parody using “Who” “Guess Who” and “Yes” goes back to - I think - the 60s comedy troupe, The Ace Trucking Company. (Possibly The Committee, but probably not.) The punch line to the sketch was: “Why don’t you write this down?” “If I could write, I wouldn’t have to steal this bit!” I was watching a tape of the Monty Python 30th anniversary show last night, which showed people all over the world doing the Spam bit. If they get remembered for nothing else, spam will still be their legacy. That’s got to put them in contention for most famous. ---
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/58 "2004-03-02T19:17:55Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > I also like **MrDibble** ’s mention of **running through doors in a corridor**. That one still turns up regularly. (Does it qualify as a “skit,” though? Is there a technical difference between a skit and a routine? Or a bit?) You know what? Now that I think about it, I’m going to consider this the most prevalent comedy skit of all time. It doesn’t seem to immediately leap to anyone’s mind, so it might not meet the fame requirement, but I’ve seen it EVERYWHERE. Old cartoons. New cartoons. Children’s cartoons. Adult cartoons. Live action. Video games. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/59 "2004-03-02T19:54:19Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Slight hijack here, but who really came up with the dinner roll gag? > > It is most closely associated with Chaplin, who put it to film in The Gold Rush in 1925. > > However, [according to this site](http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviews/g/goldrush.shtml) the gag “had been around since at least Fatty Arbuckle did it in 1917’s ‘The Rough House’…” > > IS Chaplin getting credit for a stolen bit? Silent comedians stole from each other all the time; indeed, it wasn’t even considered stealing. If someone had a good idea, everybody used it. Some people theorized that Arbuckle learned the dinner roll dance from Chaplin while they were both working together at Keystone, but that’s nothing more than a guess. While I haven’t seen Arbuckle’s take on it, from the description I read it was far less whimsical than Chaplin’s (or, for that matter, Depp’s): Chaplin really makes a little performance out of it, giving a surprisingly convincing impression of a little dancing man, while Arbuckle doesn’t. IOW, Chaplin may not have made it up, but it’s still his bit. And BTW, those of you touting “hallway” routines or mirror gags as “sketches”: no. _Sketches_ are scenes, with characters, settings and some kind of beginning, middle and/or end. Things like doorway jokes, people looking into hoses that suddenly spring to life and drench them, etc., are _business_, or, nowadays, _bits_. A sketch has its own context and stands up on its own, while business requires some kind of established setting to work. You can go out on stage cold and perform “Who’s on First” (or say, for the Brit’s, Peter Cook’s “One Leg Too Few”) and it would work. You can’t go out on stage cold and start running through doors and expect people to find it funny. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975/60 "2004-03-02T20:17:22Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > The parody using “Who” “Guess Who” and “Yes” goes back to - I think - the 60s comedy troupe, The Ace Trucking Company. (Possibly The Committee, but probably not.) > > The punch line to the sketch was: > “Why don’t you write this down?” > “If I could write, I wouldn’t have to steal this bit!” I’ve heard a recording of the Credibility Gap doing that bit. (Michael Mckean and David Lander, in this case. Harry Shearer wasn’t in this one.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-comedy-skit-of-all-time/231975.md?page=4)