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…’
March 3, 2026
5 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…
Agree! Bob and Ray need to be revisited often. Grateful for You Tube’s many treasures including their comedic partnership. And Carson’s Jacket? Curious that his rumpled look was fixed after Bob and Ray finished their bit.
Thanks!
Enjoying your digging into the past and posting such gems.