# Pre-Poll Nominations: Comedy Teams (past and present) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 28, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738 "2015-06-28T22:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/21 "2015-06-29T02:16:56Z")
I really don’t anticipate their getting oodles of votes, but they were some funny people: > **[Lonzo and Oscar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonzo_and_Oscar)** > > Lonzo and Oscar were an American country music duo founded in 1945 originally consisting of Lloyd "Lonzo" George (1924–1991) and Rollin "Oscar" Sullivan (1919–2012), best known for being the first to perform the 1948 song "I'm My Own Grandpa". George departed in 1950, and Lonzo was later portrayed by Johnny Sullivan (1917–1967) from 1950 to 1967 and by David Hooten from 1967 to 1985, when the band retired (with some final shows performed by Sullivan and first Cleo C. Hogan, then Billy Henson, Ll... > **[Homer and Jethro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_and_Jethro)** > > Homer and Jethro were the stage names of American country music duo Henry D. "Homer" Haynes (1920–1971) and Kenneth C. "Jethro" Burns (1920–1989), popular from the 1940s through the 1960s on radio and television for their satirical versions of popular songs. Known as the Thinking Man's Hillbillies, they received a Grammy Award in 1959 and are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. > Haynes and Burns met in 1936 during a WNOX-AM audition in Knoxville, Tennessee, when they were both 16 years o... [Hee Haw - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hee_Haw) (regular cast) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/22 "2015-06-29T02:21:10Z")
Lum and Abner Vic and Sade Fibber McGee and Molly Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy;) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/23 "2015-06-29T02:29:04Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Akroyd and Belushi That’s valid How about the original NRFPTP? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/24 "2015-06-29T02:46:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Vic and Sade Like “Amos and Andy,” this isn’t really a comedy team but rather a radio show and/or two of its main characters. It was a funny show, but a lot of the credit for that belongs to its writer, Paul Rhymer. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/25 "2015-06-29T02:53:24Z")
Maybe we should anticipate several separate polls coming from this exercise: –Regular TV shows’ casts (examples: I Love Lucy; Carol Burnett Show) –Specific seasons of SNL –Radio shows’ casts (Amos & Andy; Fibber McGee & Molly) –Primarily movies teams (Laurel & Hardy; Martin & Lewis) –Recordings comedy groups What are some others (with examples if you need to)? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/26 "2015-06-29T03:12:14Z")
It’s your thread, but to me, most if not all good examples of real comedy teams are those that exist beyond a single specific show or medium. Monty Python, for example, made the TV show, movies, records, and live performances. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/27 "2015-06-29T03:24:48Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > –Regular TV shows’ casts (examples: I Love Lucy; Carol Burnett Show) If that’s a category, I’d nominate: _The Jack Benny Show_ (radio and TV). _The Honeymooners_ ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/28 "2015-06-29T03:26:03Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > It’s your thread, but to me, most if not all good examples of real comedy teams are those that exist beyond a single specific show or medium. Monty Python, for example, made the TV show, movies, records, and live performances. Good points. We’ll just have to see if a categories breakdown will be needed. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/29 "2015-06-29T04:00:32Z")
Maybe first on the list: Bert Williams and George Walker Wiki: The duo’s international success established them as the most visible black performers in the world. Fellow vaudevillian W.C. Fields, who appeared in productions with Williams, described him as “the funniest man I ever saw – and the saddest man I ever knew.”[2] ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/30 "2015-06-29T04:03:58Z")
Franken and davis ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/31 "2015-06-29T04:24:30Z")
Butterbeans and Susie The Seven Little Foys ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/32 "2015-06-29T05:28:30Z")
Not many people know about them anymore, but I nominate Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. > **[Hook, Line and Sinker (1930) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020987/)** > > Hook, Line and Sinker: Directed by Edward F. Cline. With Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Dorothy Lee, Ralf Harolde. Two fast-talking insurance salesmen meet Mary, who is running away from her wealthy mother, and they agree to help her run a hotel that... ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/33 "2015-06-29T15:19:23Z")
Abbott and Costello Allen and Rossi Amos and Andy (Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll.) Beyond the Fringe Bob and David (Odenkirk and Cross) Bob and Ray Burns and Allen Burns and Scheiber Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner Cheech and Chong Firesign Theater Flanders and Swan Franken and Davis Fry and Laurie The Funny Boys The Goodies Key and Peele The Goodies The Goons Kids in the Hall Laurel and Hardy Martin and Lewis Marx Brothers Rik Mayall & Ade Edmondson Mitchell and Webb Monty Python Dudley Moore and Peter Cook Nichols and May Penn and Teller Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder Ritz Brothers Rowan and Martin Second City Seven Little Foys Smothers Brothers Stiller and Meara Three Stooges The Two Ronnies Uptight Citizens Brigade Thelma Todd & Zasu Pitts Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly Clark & McCormack Jackie Gleason and Art Carney The Sklar Brothers Derek and Clive) The League of Gentlemen Groucho and Margaret Dumont? The Little Rascals The Bowery Boys The Gashouse kids Aykroyd and Belushi Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau French & Saunders Andy Griffith and Don Knotts Lonzo\_and\_Oscar Homer\_and\_Jethro Garfunkel and Oates Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy Lum and Abner Vic and Sade Fibber McGee and Molly Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Flying Karamazov Brothers Bert Williams and George Walker Tenacious D Butterbeans and Susie Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Ensemble TV Casts: The Carol Burnet Show Hee\_Haw (regular cast) The Honeymooners Jack Benny Show Original Not Ready for Prime Time Players Seinfeld The Larry Sanders Show Carol Burnett, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, The Carol Burnett Show Lucile Ball and Desi Arnaz Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye The Bickersons ( Don Ameche and Frances Langford) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/34 "2015-06-29T15:38:00Z")
Let’s try that again: Abbott and Costello Allen and Rossi Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi The Beatles Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy Beyond the Fringe Bob and David (Odenkirk and Cross) Bob and Ray Bowery Boys/Dead End Kids Buchanan and Goodman Burns and Allen Butterbeans and Susie Burns and Scheiber Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner Cheech and Chong Clark & McCormack Derek and Clive Firesign Theater Flanders and Swan Flying Karamazov Brothers Franken and Davis French and Saunders Fry and Laurie The Funny Boys Garfunkel and Oates The Goodies Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy The Goodies The Goons Homer and Jethro Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye Key and Peele Kids in the Hall Laurel and Hardy League of Gentlemen Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau Little Rascals (“Our Gang”) Lonzo and Oscar Lum and Abner Martin and Lewis Marx Brothers Groucho Marx and Margaret Dumont Rik Mayall & Ade Edmondson Mitchell and Webb Monty Python Dudley Moore and Peter Cook Nichols and May Trey Parker and Matt Stone Penn and Teller Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder Ritz Brothers Rowan and Martin Second City Seven Little Foys David Seville and the Chipmunks Sklar Brothers Smothers Brothers Stiller and Meara Tenacious D Three Stooges Thelma Todd & Zasu Pitts Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly The Two Ronnies Uptight Citizens Brigade Vic and Sade Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey Bert Williams and George Walker Ensemble TV/Radio Casts: Amos and Andy (Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll.) Lucile Ball and Desi Arnaz The Carol Burnet Show Fibber McGee and Molly Jackie Gleason and Art Carney Andy Griffith and Don Knotts Hee\_Haw (regular cast) Jack Benny Show Original Not Ready for Prime Time Players Seinfeld The Larry Sanders Show Carol Burnett, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, The Carol Burnett Show The Bickersons ( Don Ameche and Frances Langford) ---
**Author:** ![Das\_Glasperlenspiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/das_glasperlenspiel/32/2944_2.png) [@Das\_Glasperlenspiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Das_Glasperlenspiel)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/35 "2015-06-29T15:42:00Z")
Canadian content: Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/36 "2015-06-29T16:28:06Z")
This might be getting out of hand but: The Committee The Credibility Gap Ace Trucking Company The Conception Corporation I’m sure there were more. I put up Derek and Clive. On thinking about it, they are Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore in their cups basically. Part of their opus, so maybe they should be combined. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/37 "2015-06-29T16:32:22Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > This might be getting out of hand but: > I put up Derek and Clive. On thinking about it, they are Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore in their cups basically. They’re cunts! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/38 "2015-06-29T16:35:43Z")
If we’re including ensemble TV casts: Cheers Frasier All in the Family Big Bang Theory Of course the problem with including ensemble TV casts is that you could include just about every sitcom that had any reasonable level of success. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/39 "2015-06-29T16:36:21Z")
> [@Das\_Glasperlenspiel](#): > > Canadian content: Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster 🙂 According to IMDB they lead the list of most appearances on \*The Ed Sullivan Show \*with 54. Other Ed Sullivan favorite comedy teams included Stiller and Meara; The Muppets; Marty Allen and Steve Rossi; Rowan and Martin; Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise; Phil Ford and Mimi Hines; and Pepper Davis and Tony Reese. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738/40 "2015-06-29T16:46:10Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Let’s try that again: > > Abbott and Costello > \<\< clipped \>\> > The Bickersons ( Don Ameche and Frances Langford) Beautiful work, **astorian**! 😃 Would you feel comfortable setting up the poll? If so, I’ll gladly pass the torch to you. This is an excellent list in any case. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-poll-nominations-comedy-teams-past-and-present/723738.md?page=3)