Comic Cliques Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harvey Korman and Buddy Hackett

A lot of Abbott and Costello humor was situational, slap-stick, or based on tried and true vaudeville routines. The 'Who's on First' routine is a little long to quote but here are a few that might stand alone.

Bud Abbott: "Why don't you go take a look at yourself in the mirror?"
Lou Costello: "Why should I hurt my own feelings?"

Bud Abbott: "Here's what you want. You want seven milligrams of sulfursilic monosetic acid diluted in seven micrograms of tincturized chlorophyll. Have you got that?"
Lou Costello: "All but one part."
Bud Abbott: "What part?"
Lou Costello: "The part that comes after 'Dear druggist'".


Lou Costello: "He's gonna make a wonderful husband."
Bud Abbott: "You don't even know what a husband is."
Lou Costello: "A husband is what's left of a sweetheart after the nerve has been killed."

Answer: Arthur and Norville

Arthur Stanley Jefferson and Norville Hardy, after both had success in silent films, were finally paired in 1921 and went on to 40 short and 32 full length films. In the sound era they did 32 shorts and 23 full length films, not counting 'guest' appearances in other films. Stan generally had a bemused grin on his face; Ollie was a like a tea kettle ready to boil over. One seemed as dim-witted as the other but had a friendship bond that appealed to their audiences. Because much of their humor was physical, it is difficult to translate to the written page. One scene that I remember is Stan and Ollie trying to deliver a piano over a rope bridge strung between two mountains in the Alps. Halfway across the bridge, they meet a gorilla. Again, you have to see it.

Stan's: "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead."
"He who filters your good name, steals trash."
"What a terrible cat's-after-me."

Ollie's: "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!"
"Why don't you do something to HELP me?"
"Excuse me please, my ear is full of milk."
"I know she went out, but what I'd like to know is where did she went?"

Answer: 7

Moe Howard (Moses Horwitz) made the most appearances as a stooge. Larry Fine (Louis Fienberg) and Shemp Howard (Samuel Horwitz) were frequently seen. Curly Howard (Jerome Horwitz) was arguably the most popular stooge and the most imitated of the group but his career was cut short by a stroke in 1946. Shemp returned to the act but neither Joe Besser or Curly Joe DeRita were able to fill the big shoes left by Curly Howard. Emil Sitka was added after Larry's death as he bore some resemblance to Larry. Sitka posed for publicity pictures but never performed on film as a stooge.

The Stooges act was 99% physical slap-stick comedy. Written descriptions are hardy adequate. My personal favorite was in a western setting and the stooges think they hear hoof beats. Following an old Indian trick, they put their ears to the ground to determine how close the horses are. They get run over by a stage coach.

Answer: Eugene Levy

No comedy group has produced more comics, comic writers, and comedy producers as Second City. Although Chicago lay claim to the title of 'second city' the format was duplicated in Toronto, Los Angles, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and Detroit. Fred Willard was 1965, Peter Boyle 1967, and Joan Rivers 1961. Eugene Levy was 1974.

A list of stars who have been either trained or associated with Second City would be long and probably would omit some one's favorite but here are a few: Alan Arkin 1960, John Belushi 1971, Bill Murray 1977, Andy Dick 1985, Bonnie Hunt 1986, Mike Myers 1988, Chris Farley 1986, Steve Corell 1991, Stephen Colbert 1993, and Tina Fey 1996.

Answer: Continued active in show business for 32 years

Indeed, George Burns went on to work for 32 years after Gracie's death. Burns took the role in "The Sunshine Boys" (1985) that had been designed for either Red Skelton or Jack Benny and won an Academy Award for his performance, the oldest actor to win at the age of 80 up to that time. George always gave Gracie the best lines.

Gracie comes home from the hospital after visiting a sick friend. George: "Where did you get the flowers?"
Gracie: "I went to visit Mable."
George: "Yeah, so?"
Gracie: "WELL, you told me to take her flowers!"

"When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half."

"Why would somebody spend a year writing a novel when you can get one at the drug store for $1.95?"

Answer: My Friend Irma

"My Friend Irma" starred Marie Wilson as Irma, Diana Lynn, John Lund, and Don DeFore. Hearing of the success of the Martin/Lewis nightclub act, the producer inserted them into the cast. After another "Irma" movie they were launched onto a film career as stars starting with "At War with the Army" (1950).

In retrospect their breakup was an advantage to both as they had successful careers in films and television.

Answer: Terry Gilliam

Gilliam was the only member of Monty Python that was not English, having been born in Minnesota. All went on to solo careers and sometimes collaborating on projects. Gilliam became a director of films often based on fantasy such as
"Time Bandits" (1981), "Brazil" (1985), "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1988), "The Fisher King" (1991), "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998), and "The Brothers Grimm" (2005).

Answer: Sinead O'Conner making an unscheduled protest speech

One might add to the list Harry Belafonte singing "Lord, Don't Stop the Carnival" with a backdrop of the 1968 Democratic Convention. Jackie Mason made a joke about children and doctors. Seeger had been blacklisted since the 1950s. He sang a protest song on the show that was censored but then replaced for a re-run.

A stage hand put too much gun powder into Keith Moon's drum and flying pieces of metal were air borne. Sinead O'Conner incident occurred on 'Saturday Night Live'.

Answer: ESPN

ESPN is primarily a sports oriented network. Bob and Ray are something of an acquired taste as their humor was subtle and wry. One of their fortes were fake commercials. Here are a few of those:

"The Monongahela Metal Foundry ("Casting steel ingots with the housewife in mind")"
"Einbinder Flypaper ("The brand you've gradually grown to trust over the course of three generations")"
"The United States Post Office ("Makers and distributors of stamps")"
"The Croftweiler Industrial Cartel ("Makers of all sorts of stuff, made out of everything")"
"Cool Canadian Air ("Packed fresh every day in the Hudson Bay and shipped to your door")"
"Grime ("The magic shortening that spreads like lard")"
"The United States Mint ("One of the nation's leading producers of genuine U.S. currency")"
"Fanucchi ("With or without nuts, the greatest name in fudge")
"Kretchford Braid and Tassel ("Next time you think of braid or tassel, rush into your neighborhood store and shout, 'Kretchford'!")"

Answer: Homer and Jethro

Typical of what this duo could do with a song parody is their version of Hank Loglin's country music classic "Please Help Me I'm Falling".

"Please help me I'm crawlin' she's done it again
Slammed the door on my finger when I tried to get in
She hauled off and kicked out the last tooth I had
I wish she would quit it before I get mad.

Go down to the river where the water is nice
Stick your head under three times....and pull it out twice
First you wanted to leave me then said you would stay
Oh! How can I miss you. If you don't go away.

Please help me I'm fallin' for somebody new
Anything I wind up with is better than you
So have your face lifted it needs it no doubt
Go to Peter Pan's beauty shop... before your pan peters out."

Or "The New Vaudeville Band" with Winchester Cathedral:

"Winchester Cathedral--You're drivin' me mad
I don't know who sings it--But it's mighty sad
I'll really be glad when--This song disappears
It set music back now--At least fifty years.

Now everyone knows--Just how much we needed a hit
And now that it's done all I say--I hope that the world is ready for it
Winchester Cathedral--You're doin' me dirt
They finally wrote one--That we couldn't hurt.

From old London town came this song--There ain't any doubt
This English import--Believe me I know that we'll go on livin' without-- Two, three, four, now
Winchester Cathedral--By now you have died
Tho' we didn't kill you--We certainly tried."