"The Abbott and Costello Show" was the legendary comedy duo's foray into television in a format they could better control. Shows featured their signature brand of burlesque and slapstick humor. The pair played out-of-work actors sharing a room in a boarding house and getting into a variety of comedic situations. The loose plots prioritized any bit of comedy without regard to a story, and was the inspiration for Jerry Seinfeld's iconic "Seinfeld". A number of respected sources have placed it among the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.
The show was owned by Lou Costello with Bud Abbott working on salary. Joining the cast is their landlord Sid Fields (himself), Mike "The Cop" Kelly (Gordon Jones), neighbor/Lou's love interest Hillary Brooke (herself), overgrown child Stinky Davis (played by the 45-year-old Joe Besser, "The Three Stooges", "The Joey Bishop Show"), and Italian immigrant Mr. Bacciagalupe (Joe Kirk). Bobby Barber and Milt Bronson also often appeared in a variety of roles. Each episode was directed and produced by Jean Yarbrough. The series ran for 52 episodes from 1952-54, and the complete series is available today on DVD.
The first episode opens with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello coming on stage to greet their audience. They work into one of their signature comedy routines, the lesser-known "Captain Jonah and the Whale", in which Lou continually interrupts Bud trying to tell his joke. The story opens with Bud and Lou sneaking into their boarding house, owing eight weeks back rent. Lou innocently runs afoul of two ladies on the steps. The landlord, Sidney Fields, catches them and has Policeman Mike Kelly jail them. When he realizes he wouldn't get his rent, Mr. Fields instead has them agree to take a job at his brother's drug store around the corner. In front of the store, Lou bumps into the overgrown "little boy" Stinky Davis. Mr. Fields (also played by Fields himself) makes Bud the head salesman and Lou the soda jerk. Lou gets into trouble while running the soda fountain, threatening their employment.
The show was owned by Lou Costello with Bud Abbott working on salary. Joining the cast is their landlord Sid Fields (himself), Mike "The Cop" Kelly (Gordon Jones), neighbor/Lou's love interest Hillary Brooke (herself), overgrown child Stinky Davis (played by the 45-year-old Joe Besser, "The Three Stooges", "The Joey Bishop Show"), and Italian immigrant Mr. Bacciagalupe (Joe Kirk). Bobby Barber and Milt Bronson also often appeared in a variety of roles. Each episode was directed and produced by Jean Yarbrough. The series ran for 52 episodes from 1952-54, and the complete series is available today on DVD.
The first episode opens with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello coming on stage to greet their audience. They work into one of their signature comedy routines, the lesser-known "Captain Jonah and the Whale", in which Lou continually interrupts Bud trying to tell his joke. The story opens with Bud and Lou sneaking into their boarding house, owing eight weeks back rent. Lou innocently runs afoul of two ladies on the steps. The landlord, Sidney Fields, catches them and has Policeman Mike Kelly jail them. When he realizes he wouldn't get his rent, Mr. Fields instead has them agree to take a job at his brother's drug store around the corner. In front of the store, Lou bumps into the overgrown "little boy" Stinky Davis. Mr. Fields (also played by Fields himself) makes Bud the head salesman and Lou the soda jerk. Lou gets into trouble while running the soda fountain, threatening their employment.
