Abbott & Costello's classic "who's on first?" routine wonderfully retold in a children's book
Mark Frauenfelder
TIME Magazine called Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on first?” routine “the best comedy sketch of the twentieth century,” and I find that hard to argue with. I loved listening to it as a kid, and when I hear it today it still brings a smile.
A couple of weeks ago I received a review copy of Who’s on First? in the form of a children’s book illustrated by John Martz. I left it on the kitchen table planning to read it later in the afternoon. My nine-year-old daughter Jane saw it when she got home from school and started reading it. She ran into my room and said, “This is great. Have you read it?” I explained that it was based on a comedy sketch performed by a couple of old-timey comedians, which didn’t interest her. She loved the book, though, and read it to me that night before bed. Martz’ version of the story, which stars a rabbit and a bear, has all the goofy humor of the original sketch. I’d love to see it done as an animated cartoon, using the voices of Lou and Bud.
