Bob and Ray
Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding were an American comedy duo that began in radio in 1946 with a daily 15-minute show titled Matinee With Bob and Ray. They continued on the air for over four decades on NBC, CBS, Mutual, New York City local stations WINS, WOR, and WHN, and NPR, ending in 1987. Some episodes were released on phonograph records, and the pair had a 15-minute television show that ran from 1951 to 1953.
The earlier shows were ad-libbed. Later the shows were more and more scripted. While Bob and Ray wrote much of their material, they later came to rely on writers, including Tom Koch, who wrote many of their best-known routines. Elliott and Goulding lent their voices to a variety of characters. These included Wally Ballou, an inept news reporter; Mary McGoon, a home economics advisor; Webley Webster, a book reviewer; Artie Schermerhorn, an "investigative" reporter; Biff Burns, a sportscaster; and countless others. Goulding invariably played any female roles using a very convincing falsetto.
Spoofs of other radio programs were another staple, including the soap operas "Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife" and "One Fella's Family"; children's shows like "Mr. Science" and "Matt Neffer, Boy Spot-Welding King of the World"; adventure serials like "Elmer W. Lintzinger, Spy"; and game shows like "The 64 Cent Question."
Bob and Ray starred in a two-man Broadway show, The Two and Only, in 1970; made numerous appearances on the Johnny Carson and David Letterman television shows; did extensive work in radio and television commercials; authored several books; and enjoyed supporting roles in the films Cold Turkey (1970) and Author! Author! (1982).
Bob and Ray also gained fame as the voices of Burt and Harry Piel, two animated characters from a very successful ad campaign for Piel Brothers Beer. Based on the success of that ad campaign they launched a successful advertising voice-over company, Greybar Enterprises.
Goulding died on March 24, 1990. Elliott continued to perform, most notably with his son (actor/comedian Chris Elliott) on the TV sitcom Get a Life.
The Bob and Ray Show was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995.
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Categories: Radio programs | U.S. comedians