Abbott and Costello: Old-Time Radio Comedy

Abbott and Costello perform on their radio show with guest Lana Turner, but the broadcast is held up by a series of mishaps before it can begin. Costello is pressed by NBC staff to undergo a physical examination before he is allowed into the studio, and an insurance salesman tries to sell him a policy. Meanwhile Abbott tries to keep Costello on schedule, and the two men argue over almost everything. The program is part of the Abbott and Costello series, broadcast on NBC and ABC on November 4, 1943, with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello as the leads.

With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lana Turner, Mrs. Niles, Fogel, Dr. Jones, Evan, Birchbach.

Listen for: Listen for the examination scene with the self-described doctor, and Costello's running argument with Abbott over the insurance policy and the show's timing.

First aired on November 4, 1943 on NBC, ABC.

Episode notes written with AI from the recording itself; the audio is the original broadcast.

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Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, a comedy duo, go on a hunting trip to the northwoods, hoping to find meat during wartime shortages. They are joined by hunting guide Claire Trevor, who is introduced as their guest star. Costello spends much of the outing complaining and making mistakes, while Abbott tries to keep things organized. Their niece Matilda and their friend Ken Niles also turn up at the lodge. The first part of the program is built around their wordplay and mishaps, with the hunt itself only beginning. Part of the episode aired on NBC and ABC on January 14, 1943.

With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Claire Trevor, Ken Niles, Matilda, Connie Haines.

Listen for: Costello's confusion over the hunting rules and his exchanges with Abbott about the meat shortage.

First aired on January 14, 1943 on NBC, ABC.

Episode notes written with AI from the recording itself; the audio is the original broadcast.

Free, complete and restored, no modern ads. A new episode every week: Abbott and Costello on Stupid Potato, every episode so far and the episode guide.

Stupid Potato restores classic radio and TV audio and runs 60 free 24/7 channels and 186 podcasts: old-time radio westerns, detectives, comedy, science fiction and suspense, vintage TV, Saturday-morning cartoons, Halloween and Christmas. No modern ads. Listen free at stupidpotato.com.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play themselves in this episode of their radio series, recorded at the Sixth Ferrying Group, Air Transport Command at Long Beach, California. Costello jokes with Abbott about flying and his recent plane ride, then the pair discuss the reviews of their latest picture while their secretary and an assistant work through the day. Botsford Twink, an actor hoping for a part, offers to do voices, and Costello plans a new production with Merle Oberon as leading lady, including a costume design session and a read-through of a medieval story about a knight, a princess and a dragon. The original air date is November 19, 1942, on NBC and ABC.

With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Ken Niles, Merle Oberon, Botsford Twink, Pierre, Connie Haines.

Listen for: The running jokes about Costello's flying and his mix-ups with Abbott, and the costume-design exchange between Costello and the designer Pierre.

First aired on November 19, 1942 on NBC, ABC.

Episode notes written with AI from the recording itself; the audio is the original broadcast.

Free, complete and restored, no modern ads. A new episode every week: Abbott and Costello on Stupid Potato, every episode so far and the episode guide.

Stupid Potato restores classic radio and TV audio and runs 60 free 24/7 channels and 186 podcasts: old-time radio westerns, detectives, comedy, science fiction and suspense, vintage TV, Saturday-morning cartoons, Halloween and Christmas. No modern ads. Listen free at stupidpotato.com.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello host their comedy program, with announcer Ken Niles and singer Connie Haines. Costello complains about being near Mrs. Niles, while Abbott and Costello argue over whether Niles and Haines should have more to do on the show. Costello then describes his day at a football game and an incident involving a crying baby, while Abbott explains the government's car-pooling rules. Costello later claims he collected a roll of money from a man who left a bank, and the two stumble into a bank robbery investigation. The transcript cuts off as they set out to track down the bandit, Black Pete, with the guest star Marlene Dietrich. The episode aired on October 15, 1942, on NBC and ABC.

With Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Ken Niles, Connie Haines, Marlene Dietrich, Aunt Ruby.

Listen for: Costello's account of the bank and his roll of money, and the moment he and Abbott ride into Deadpan Gulch.

First aired on October 15, 1942 on NBC, ABC.

Episode notes written with AI from the recording itself; the audio is the original broadcast.

Free, complete and restored, no modern ads. A new episode every week: Abbott and Costello on Stupid Potato, every episode so far and the episode guide.

Stupid Potato restores classic radio and TV audio and runs 60 free 24/7 channels and 186 podcasts: old-time radio westerns, detectives, comedy, science fiction and suspense, vintage TV, Saturday-morning cartoons, Halloween and Christmas. No modern ads. Listen free at stupidpotato.com.