Here’s a clip of the majestic comedy duo Bob and Ray (Elliot and Goulding were their surnames) from what appears to be a mid 1970s Johnny Carson show. I can’t explain the condition of Johnny’s jacket in the intro but it doesn’t really matter. This is one of my favorite Bob & Ray routines–the ‘Slow Talkers Of America’ bit. If you don’t know the duo’s work it’s as good a place as any to start. If you already dig them you’ll be happy you watched it again. And if for some reason you just don’t really get Bob & Ray (and there are those who don’t) then all I can do is quote the opening legend from ‘The Song Of Bernadette’: ‘For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those that don’t, no explanation is possible…’
February 11, 2026
4 Responses
Genius !!!
Hi Raymond, I am trying to reach you. I was a friend of Peter Bogdanovich. He gave me the CD Monday Morning Quarterbacks. You play the piano. I’d just love to buy a few more. I also wish it was on Apple Music for everyone to enjoy. Can you let me know how to get a few more!? Thanks! Amy Goodwin
I’ve been on a Bob and Ray binge lately. A lot of their material is on YouTube now.
It’s sophisticated, timeless and just hilarious. I love the paperclip factory and the pizza flipper routines.
Amy–the CD is available on Ebay. Rights issues keep it from Apple Music exposure I believe.
PK–how about the ‘old poet’? I’ll post it tomorrow. They were the best…