In the 1930 movie Cracked Nuts, comedians Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey examine a map of a mythical kingdom with dialogue like this: "What is next to Which." "What is the name of the town next to Which?" "Yes." In British music halls, comedian Will Hay performed a routine in the early 1930s (and possibly earlier) as a schoolmaster interviewing a schoolboy named Howe, who came from Ware, but now lives in Wye. Examples are "The Baker Scene" (the shop is located on Watt Street) and "Who Dyed" (the owner is named "Who"). "Who's on First?" is descended from turn-of-the-century burlesque sketches that used plays on words and names. However, the players' names can simultaneously serve as the basis for questions (e.g., " Who is the first baseman?") and responses (e.g., "The first baseman's name is Who."), leading to repeated misinterpretations and growing frustration between the performers. ![]() The premise of the sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello. ![]() " Who's on First?" is a comedy routine made famous by American comedy duo Abbott and Costello. Abbott and Costello performing "Who's on First?"
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