To me, the treat of Bob & Ray is that they're as funny whatever the medium -- TV appearances or audio sketches. For some, just audio can be flat, but given their start as radio hosts (where they're initial slogan was the above-noted, "Start your day with Bob & Ray), their work is pitch-perfect for that medium. But what's rare is that two radio hosts were able to translate their material just as wonderfully for visual performance, most especially given that it's just always two guys talking with one another. One of whom is usually somewhat out of his mind...
Personally, I can't get enough of Bob & Ray. So, this video is a treat because it's a twofer. They're appearing as guests on an early David Letterman Show, and do two of their sketches. The first is an interview with an actor whose play closed after one night, and it's followed with a new, hapless political candidate. To me, the treat of Bob & Ray is that they're as funny whatever the medium -- TV appearances or audio sketches. For some, just audio can be flat, but given their start as radio hosts (where they're initial slogan was the above-noted, "Start your day with Bob & Ray), their work is pitch-perfect for that medium. But what's rare is that two radio hosts were able to translate their material just as wonderfully for visual performance, most especially given that it's just always two guys talking with one another. One of whom is usually somewhat out of his mind...
2 Comments
10/27/2013 03:03:14 pm
I wonder if that's how Chris Elliott wound up working on the show?
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Robert Elisberg
10/28/2013 08:38:03 am
Hey, for all I know, Chris Elliott was already on the show, and that's how Bob & Ray got the gig...! (Yes, I'm largely facetious.) It's a good question. My assumption has always been that Letterman loved Bob & Ray, and it's not unreasonable that he was aware of Chris because of that.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a two-time recipient of the Lucille Ball Award for comedy screenwriting. He's written for film, TV, the stage, and two best-selling novels, is a regular columnist for the Writers Guild of America and was for the Huffington Post. Among his other writing, he has a long-time column on technology (which he sometimes understands), and co-wrote a book on world travel. As a lyricist, he is a member of ASCAP, and has contributed to numerous publications. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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