George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

George Burns and Gracie Allen was one of the funniest duos in the history of American comedy. Both came from vaudeville, where they performed from childhood, honing their skills. When they met and decided to work together, they created an act that is unforgettable. While their earlier shows continued their standup vaudeville act, they gradually transformed their format to create one of the earliest situation comedies.

The two employed running gags, including George’s purported jealousy of Gracie’s latest crush, and Gracie’s search for her missing brother—a gimmick that was incorporated into the popular culture of the day. Numerous major stars of the period appeared on their shows; regulars included Harry Von Zell, Hans Conreid, and Meredith Willson.

The comedic skill of the two is legendary. George’s writing and dry wit were a perfect foil for the dazzling dizziness of the brilliant Gracie. For sheer fun, Burns and Allen ranks among the best of the Old Time Radio programs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Elliott and Goulding began as radio announcers (Elliott a disc jockey and Goulding a newscaster) in Boston with their own separate programs on station WHDH, and each would visit with the other while on the air. Their informal banter was so appealing that WHDH would call on them, as a team, to fill in when Red Sox baseball broadcasts were rained out. Elliott and Goulding (not yet known as Bob and Ray) would improvise comedy routines all afternoon, and joke around with studio musicians.

Elliott and Goulding’s brand of humor caught on, and WHDH gave them their own weekday show in 1946. Matinee with Bob and Ray was originally a 15-minute show, soon expanding to half an hour. (When explaining why Bob was billed first, Goulding claimed that it was because Matinee with Bob and Ray sounded better than Matinob with Ray and Bob.) Their trademark sign-off was “This is Ray Goulding reminding you to write if you get work”; “Bob Elliott reminding you to hang by your thumbs.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Elliott and Goulding began as radio announcers (Elliott a disc jockey and Goulding a newscaster) in Boston with their own separate programs on station WHDH, and each would visit with the other while on the air. Their informal banter was so appealing that WHDH would call on them, as a team, to fill in when Red Sox baseball broadcasts were rained out. Elliott and Goulding (not yet known as Bob and Ray) would improvise comedy routines all afternoon, and joke around with studio musicians.

Elliott and Goulding’s brand of humor caught on, and WHDH gave them their own weekday show in 1946. Matinee with Bob and Ray was originally a 15-minute show, soon expanding to half an hour. (When explaining why Bob was billed first, Goulding claimed that it was because Matinee with Bob and Ray sounded better than Matinob with Ray and Bob.) Their trademark sign-off was “This is Ray Goulding reminding you to write if you get work”; “Bob Elliott reminding you to hang by your thumbs.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download