Buzz
Comedy often shines brightest when performed in groups, a principle that applies not only to classic routines but also to contemporary TV successes, where supporting actors play a pivotal role. For instance, the enduring popularity of 'Will and Grace' owes much to the dynamic presence of Karen Walker. This compilation spotlights ten of the most iconic and celebrated comedy teams in history. While it may slightly underrepresent British duos like the Goons, we welcome your suggestions and additions in the comments.
10. Amos and Andy
Voiced by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, this radio sketch comedy act ran from 1928 to 1960. Inspired by early 20th-century black minstrel performances, the duo portrayed black characters as impoverished, working-class individuals who eventually relocate from Georgia to Chicago and take up jobs as taxi drivers.
In 1931, the Pittsburgh Courier highlighted a black preacher's critique of the show, deeming it racially offensive due to its white voice actors portraying black characters. A petition to cancel the show aimed for a million signatures but fell short, not because of racial concerns but because audiences genuinely enjoyed the program. The black protagonists, though depicted as simple-minded, were portrayed as polite, good-natured, and often outsmarting their white counterparts. The humor heavily relied on malapropisms, or the misuse of language. A memorable line from George “Kingfish” Stevens (voiced by Gosden) was, “Heck, naw, I ain’t gawn let my kids use no ‘cyclopedia! They kin walk to school like I did!”
This was later attributed to Yogi Berra, who famously quipped, “I didn’t say half the stuff I said.”
9. Frick and Frack
Werner Groebli and Hans Mauch, hailing from Basel, Switzerland, were renowned comedic figure skaters. They performed globally, dressed in lederhosen and traditional German “Oktoberfest” attire, captivating audiences with their unique blend of humor and skating.
Their film career began with the 1944 movie *Lady, Let’s Dance*. Although they never competed in the Olympics, many Olympic figure skaters believe they would have easily secured gold medals.
The term “Frick and Frack” has become a common expression in English, thanks to their widespread fame from the 1930s to the 1950s. Their performances included jaw-dropping stunts, such as Frack’s rubber legs, where he twisted and collapsed his legs while executing a spread-eagle on ice.
Frick was renowned for his cantilever spread-eagle, a move he pioneered himself.
8. The Smothers Brothers
Tommy Smothers often portrayed the bumbling, slower-witted character opposite Dick Smothers’s more serious persona. Tommy’s iconic line, “Mom always liked you best!” sparked playful arguments between the duo about its validity. After their mother’s passing, they retired this routine permanently.
Both are skilled guitarists, with Tommy also excelling as a yo-yo expert. They hold the record as the longest-running comedy team in American history, entertaining audiences for an impressive 52 years.
In the late 1960s, they hosted “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” a show known for its bold humor and controversial stance on peace advocacy. Their satire targeted the Vietnam War, President Nixon, and racial issues, making it both groundbreaking and hilarious. Despite its popularity, CBS canceled the show in 1969, citing “Anti-American Peace Propaganda” as the reason. Ah, the ’60s indeed.
7. Cheech and Chong
Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong became icons for the hippie and counterculture movements with their surreal, cannabis-themed humor. Though they parted ways in 1985, their 2008 reunion brought joy to fans worldwide.
From 1978 through the 1980s, they produced a series of films centered around drug culture and the free-spirited lifestyle of hippies. Among their most notable works is the 1983 movie *Still Smokin’*, where they head to Amsterdam for a film festival featuring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton. When the stars fail to appear, Cheech and Chong step in with an unforgettable live performance. Highlights include Chong’s portrayal of “the old man in the park” and their hilarious act as “Ralph and Herbie the dogs.”
6. Abbott and Costello
Bud Abbott, the straight man, complemented Lou Costello’s comedic antics perfectly. Even if their entire career had hinged on just one routine, “Who’s on First?” would have secured their place at #6. They had perfected the act in rehearsals but hadn’t yet performed it live on stage.
Their first televised performance of the iconic routine took place at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With a few pages of material written by someone else, which they initially dismissed, Abbott casually asked Costello, “You wanna do Baseball?” Costello agreed, and they stepped on stage to create comedy history.
The concept of using “Who” and “What” as proper nouns had been around since the burlesque vaudeville days, long before radio. Abbott and Costello refined it into its modern form, tying it to the names of a baseball team. They copyrighted the routine and performed it in multiple films. This doesn’t even touch on their numerous other legendary performances.
5. Laurel and Hardy
Renowned among film enthusiasts as a pair of genuine friends, Laurel and Hardy began as vaudeville performers, appearing in countless silent films both together and separately. They officially teamed up in 1927 and stayed together until Hardy’s death in 1957, starring in numerous films. By the 1950s, their health had deteriorated significantly, and they no longer resembled their former selves.
Laurel and Hardy were unparalleled in slapstick comedy, with Laurel introducing a concept he called “white magic.” A standout example is in their 1937 film *Way Out West*, where Laurel (the thinner one) creates a fist, fills it with tobacco, flicks his thumb to light it, and blows real smoke from his hand. Hardy spends the film trying to replicate the trick, finally succeeding at the end but panicking over burning his thumb. The film also features their iconic soft-shoe dance routine.
4. Monty Python
Monty Python, arguably the world’s most irreverent comedy team, rose to fame in the late 1960s through the 1980s with their stage and film work. Their films, particularly *Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, remain wildly popular. The movie follows King Arthur and his knights as they search for the Holy Grail, encountering absurd obstacles like the indomitable Black Knight, a bridge guard obsessed with riddles, and even God. Despite lacking horses, they use coconuts to mimic the sound, leading to a hilariously pedantic debate with a Cockney guard.
While their stage performances are less celebrated in America, many can be found on YouTube, showcasing some of their best work. One standout sketch involves a man attempting to arrange his mother’s burial with a mortician, who offers unconventional options like cooking her, dumping her in the Thames, or even having the son eat her and then vomit into a grave.
3. The Marx Brothers
Comedians across all genres—stand-up, sitcoms, sketch comedy, film, and stage—hold the Marx Brothers in high regard for their unparalleled brilliance in every facet of comedy. Starting as vaudeville performers, they excelled in nearly every skill imaginable, even if tap dancing wasn’t their forte. Their versatility remains unmatched.
Harpo mastered the harp to a level surpassing many professionals, despite being self-taught and using unconventional techniques. His unique style was so captivating that even seasoned harpists sought his guidance to emulate his playing.
Groucho, a talented singer, often humorously portrayed himself as a terrible vocalist, adding another layer to his comedic genius.
Chico’s piano skills were effortless and captivating, particularly his signature “shooting the keys” technique, famously showcased in *A Night at the Opera* and other films.
Groucho’s razor-sharp one-liners and biting insults are legendary, woven throughout their films. His iconic greasepaint eyebrows and mustache have become staples of Halloween costumes, gag glasses, and cartoon disguises.
Harpo possessed a deep baritone voice, which clashed with his clownish image, leading him to remain silent throughout his career. He broke this silence only a few times, including a 1970s talk show appearance where he delivered a 15-minute monologue after being begged to speak—a moment that became one of his finest jokes.
Chico’s name, pronounced “Chick-O,” reflects his claim to being the brother all the women adored. His gambling addiction was so severe that some of their films were made solely to cover his debts.
As George Carlin once noted, Groucho Marx delivered the funniest version of the notorious “Aristocrats” joke. Known for its crude improvisation, the joke ends with the punchline “The Aristocrats!” Groucho, who preferred clean humor, once quipped about his version, “Well, bestiality’s not all that dirty.”
Their standout performances in *A Night at the Opera* and *Duck Soup* showcase their comedic genius. The former features the iconic stateroom scene, the chaotic dismantling of Verdi’s *Il Trovatore*, and the hilarious “The First Party of the First Part” exchange between Groucho and Chico.
The latter film includes unforgettable moments like the mirror scene, the lemonade stand skit, a war spoof where Groucho dons various hats, and a parody of Paul Revere’s Ride.
A recurring gag in their films references their humble upbringing. Whenever food appears on screen, they frantically scramble to the table, devouring everything in sight—sometimes even their own clothing.
2. Martin and Lewis
Martin played the straight man to Lewis’s wild, unpredictable antics. From 1946 to 1956, they dominated Hollywood comedy, performing nationwide and starring in films. Martin was a legendary crooner, while Lewis occasionally showcased his singing talent. Together, they excelled in singing, dancing, slapstick, vaudeville humor, stand-up, and masterful ad-libbing. Their signature sketch featured Martin singing, only to be hilariously interrupted by Lewis’s goofy antics.
1. The Three Stooges
Moe Howard, Curly Howard, and Larry Fine are the most iconic figures in slapstick history. After Curly’s death in 1952 due to a stroke, replacements were tried, but the trio never regained its former brilliance without him.
Moe served as the straight man, Curly as the primary comedian, and Larry balanced both roles. Their physical gags were as daring and hazardous as Looney Tunes stunts. Curly or Larry would often accidentally hit Moe with metal objects, prompting Moe to retaliate with hammers, ripsaws, or other exaggerated punishments.
Their slapstick routines are endlessly hilarious, with one of their most iconic scenes appearing in the 1945 short *Micro-phonies*, where they hilariously lip-sync to the Sextet from *Lucia di Lammermoor*.
