Bob Elliott
1923-2016
Bob Elliott, he surviving member of the classic comedy team of Bob and Ray, died yesterday at the age of 92.
The comedy team of Bob and Ray actually predates television, believe it or not. According to the obituary in the New York times yesterday, Elliott went to work for Boston radio station WHDH in 1946 following his discharge from the Army. It was there that he met Ray Goulding, who was then the morning deejay at the station. The two hit it off immediately and started ad-libbing with each other while the records were playing. Station executives realized that they might have something and gave the two of them an afternoon radio station, and then an additional morning show. After five years, they moved on to a radio show in New York City. Later in the 1950's and -60's, they transitioned to television, and never really went away. In 1970, they did a two man show on Broadway that lasted for five months. Even when their brand of humor was supplanted by louder generation of comics, Bob and Ray remained a constant. I can even remember them hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live back in the 1970's. They moved on to National Public Radio in 1983 and remained there until Ray Goulding died in 1990.
Ray Goulding & Bob Elliott
"Bob and Ray"
After Goulding's death, Bob Elliott continued to work in television, movies, and commercials.
One of the glories of the world in which we currently live is that the work of people like Bob and Ray can be sought out and found on the Internet. Go to YouTube, type in "Bob and Ray" and be prepared to laugh, and laugh a lot. I include here one of my favorite Bob and Ray routines, "The Slow Talkers of America". Enjoy.
RIP Bob Elliott.
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