The history of this gag goes back at least to Carson...

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Post #202,212

by cwbrenn

4/6/05 12:28:58 PM

The history of this gag goes back at least to Carson...

I think I remember Carson doing a similar bit back in the 80s, only he was pretending to be Ronald Regan. I don't think China was in the bit, but I do remember Yassir Arafat...

Which, mind you, doesn't make the current version any less hilarious. I just thought it was interesting.

"We are all born originals -- why is it so many of us die copies?"
- Edward Young

Post #202,240

by a6l6e6x

4/6/05 2:58:23 PM

Goes back to Abbott & Costello.

[link|http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml|Link].

And, [link|http://www.phoenix5.org/humor/WhoOnFirst.html|one with audio].

Goes back to the 1950's if not earlier.

Alex

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell

Post #202,242

by imric

4/6/05 3:05:53 PM

Definately earlier...

"Who's On First?

Original author unknown - this act was traded in vaudeville for many years before Bud Abbott and Lou Costello made it famous."

[link|http://www.thebaseballpage.com/features/1999/whosonfirst.htm|http://www.thebaseba...9/whosonfirst.htm]

[link|http://www.runningworks.com|

]

Imric's Tips for Living

Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.

Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.

Post #202,324

by cwbrenn

4/7/05 12:19:50 PM

I wasn't talking about the *original* gag

I was talking about the derivation of that gag, as posted in this thread.

"We are all born originals -- why is it so many of us die copies?"
- Edward Young

Who's on first - the new version - (ben_tilly) - (9) - April 5, 2005, 02:33:04 PM EDT

That, my dear sir needs a round of applause. - (folkert) - (1) - April 5, 2005, 03:46:12 PM EDT

Spotted circulating in email -NT - (ben_tilly) - April 5, 2005, 04:36:08 PM EDT

Priceless :) -NT - (bionerd) - April 5, 2005, 04:46:55 PM EDT

How much Hu could a Hutu count on his Tutsis? -NT - (Ashton) - April 6, 2005, 01:15:30 AM EDT

Very clever. - (static) - April 6, 2005, 07:51:51 AM EDT

The history of this gag goes back at least to Carson... - (cwbrenn) - (3) - April 6, 2005, 12:28:58 PM EDT

Goes back to Abbott & Costello. - (a6l6e6x) - (2) - April 6, 2005, 02:58:23 PM EDT

Definately earlier... - (imric) - April 6, 2005, 03:05:53 PM EDT

I wasn't talking about the *original* gag - (cwbrenn) - April 7, 2005, 12:19:50 PM EDT

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