History Radio / BobAndRay

'''Bob Elliott''' and '''Ray Goulding''' first met in 1946, at radio station WHDH-AM in [[HollywoodNewEngland Boston]]. Bob -- the slight one with the big blue eyes -- was the morning DJ; Ray -- the burly one with the splendid baritone -- was the newly-hired announcer. After reading the news on Bob's program, Ray would stick around and the two would riff off their particular corner of the Establishment - shows, sponsors, guests and interviewers alike.

Their last broadcast series on Creator/{{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott (most notably in ''Series/GetALife'' and ''Film/CabinBoy'', where Bob and Chris played [[RealLifeRelative father and son]]). Chris' daughter, Creator/AbbyElliott, is a former cast member on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Abby was in the cast from 2008-12 [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).
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The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''[[Series/TheNamesTheSame The Name's the Same]]'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!''. In 1979 they starred in their own late night NBC special along with ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'''s Creator/JaneCurtin, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner and musician Music/WillieNelson.

The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''[[Series/TheNamesTheSame The Name's the Same]]'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!''. In 1979 they starred in their own late night NBC special along with ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'''s Creator/JaneCurtin, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner.

The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''[[Series/TheNamesTheSame The Name's the Same]]'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!'' In 1979 they starred in their own late night NBC special along with ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'''s Creator/JaneCurtin, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner.

The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''[[Series/TheNamesTheSame The Name's the Same]]'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!'' In 1979 they starred in their own late night NBC special along with ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''{{'}}s Creator/JaneCurtin, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner.

The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''[[Series/TheNamesTheSame The Name's the Same]]'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!''

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Creator/JonathanWinters, Creator/GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; Creator/TheFiresignTheatre credit them as direct ancestors. They were also Creator/KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work. More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment.

Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding first met in 1946, at radio station WHDH-AM in [[HollywoodNewEngland Boston]]. Bob -- the slight one with the big blue eyes -- was the morning DJ; Ray -- the burly one with the splendid baritone -- was the newly-hired announcer. After reading the news on Bob's program, Ray would stick around and the two would riff off their particular corner of the Establishment - shows, sponsors, guests and interviewers alike.

Their last broadcast series on Creator/{{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott (most notably in ''Series/GetALife'' and ''Film/CabinBoy'', where Bob and Chris played [[RealLifeRelative father and son]]). Chris' daughter, Creator/AbbyElliott, is a former cast member on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Abby was in the cast from 2008-2012 [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

Their last broadcast series on Creator/{{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott (most notably in ''Series/GetALife'' and ''Film/CabinBoy'', where Bob and Chris played [[RealLifeRelative father and son]]). Chris' daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

Their last broadcast series on Creator/{{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott (most notably on the 1990-92 sitcom ''Series/GetALife'', where Bob and Chris played [[RealLifeRelative father and son]]). Chris' daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

The pair also served as hosts/moderators of the ABC game show ''Series/TheNamesTheSame'' in 1955, parodied several news reporters in the 1971 film ''FIlm/ColdTurkey'', and appeared as the financiers of a play written by Creator/AlPacino's character in the 1982 film ''Author! Author!''

Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[note]]first getting hired when Creator/AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

-->"This is Ray Goulding, reminding you to write if you get work..."
-->"...Bob Elliott, reminding you to hang by your thumbs."
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Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, Creator/GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; Creator/TheFiresignTheatre credit them as direct ancestors. They were also Creator/KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work. More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment.

Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[note]]first getting hired when AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed[[/note]]).

Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[hottip:*:first getting hired when AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed]]).

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, Creator/GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; Creator/TheFiresignTheatre credit them as direct ancestors. They were also Creator/KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work.More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment.

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, Creator/GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; the FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors. They were also KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work.More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment.

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, Creator/GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; the FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors. They were also KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work.

More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment. Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and Creator/AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[hottip:*:first getting hired when AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed]]).

More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment. Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family (and the only tri-generational comedy family ever to appear on ''SNL'': Bob Elliott was a guest star on a 1978 Christmas special, Chris Elliott was a cast member during the show's [[SeasonalRot much-maligned 20th season]], and AbbyElliott has been in the cast since the 2008-2009 season [[hottip:*:first getting hired when AmyPoehler was on maternity leave, along with short-lived cast member, Michaela Watkins. Watkins was let go, but Elliott stayed]]).

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, GeorgeCarlin, Creator/WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; the FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors. They were also KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work.

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, GeorgeCarlin, WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al.; the FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors. They were also KurtVonnegut's favorite comedians; he mentions them with surprising frequency in his work.

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, GeorgeCarlin, WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al. The FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors.

Bob handled the old men, young children, petty officials and other generally nebbishy types; he was a master at projecting a kind of intellectual opaqueness. This made him also the ideal one to handle most of their beat reporters and announcers, the most famous of which is inept roving reporter Wally Ballou ("-ly Ballou here!"), whose nose for news was [[KentBrockmanNews permanently stuffed up.]] Ray's characters were not particularly smarter, but much better at bluffing. Thus he handled most of the businessmen, doctors, sports heroes and general 'man-on-the-street' types Wally interviewed. He also provided all the female voices, notably for housekeeping 'spert Mary Margaret [=McGoon=] - basically Martha Stewart via ''MadMagazine'' - [[LarynxDissonance using a startlingly authentic coloratura falsetto.]]

Eventually they would take on pretty much every media trend and sociological fad going, marshalling the ever-dubious assistance of a loyal 'staff' that, besides Wally and Mary, included mushmouthed book reviewer Webley Webster; "word wizard" Dr. Elmer Stapley; and Dean Archer Armstead, the agricultural guru from 'our field station up in [the industrial wasteland of] Lackawanna'. Regular celebrity drop-ins included Tex Blaisdel the singing cowboy, who also did rope tricks (yes, on radio) and Barry Campbell, star of stage, screen, television and occasionally all-girl orchestra.

Guest experts offered advice and/or pontifications that ranged from daffily unhelpful to [[CloudCuckoolander downright surreal]], hobbyists and entrepreneurs ran the gamut from pointless to wildly incompetent. Human interest segments ("We've found that you listeners enjoy hearing these pathetic people tell their tragic stories") suggested that humanity's major problem was utter stupidity.

Interestingly enough both were unassuming family men offstage, without any discernable sign of celebrity temperament or rivalry; 'gentle' is the word that pops up often in others' reminisces. Physically and temperamentally an effective OddCouple, they nevertheless 'always got along well', and seem to have regarded their partnership largely as a profitable means of making each other laugh. Basically they were the exact same Average Americans they were spoofing, save only for the self-aware edge. 'By the time we discovered we were introverts,' Bob is once supposed to have claimed, 'it was too late to do anything about it.'

Thus they managed to stay together as a team for nearly forty years, influencing an entire generation of seminal American comics - [[TheBobNewhartShow Bob Newhart]], Jonathan Winters, GeorgeCarlin, WoodyAllen, DavidLetterman, et al. The FiresignTheatre troupe credit them as direct ancestors.

More recently, broadcaster KeithOlbermann has credited them as a major influence, especially on his "Worst Person in the World" segment. Their last broadcast series on {{NPR}} was only cut short in 1987, when Ray was forced to retire due to illness. He died in 1990 of kidney failure. Bob continues to perform occasionally with his son, comic actor and writer Chris Elliott, whose daughter, Abby Elliott, is a current cast member on ''SaturdayNightLive'', making for the only living tri-generational television comedy family.

They created spoof serials - complete with fictional producers, writers, announcers and casts - with titles like "One Fella's Family" and "Jack Headstrong, All-American American" and "Lawrence Fechtenberger, Interstellar Officer Candidate" (brought to you by 'Chocolate Cookies With White Stuff In-Between Them'). {{Soap opera}}s included "The Life and Loves of Linda Lovely" (played on TV by a very young [[TheHoneymooners Audrey Meadows]]) and "Mary Backstayge, Noble Wife" - the latter a broad sendup of the wildly popular "Mary Noble, Backstage Wife". It was on this show that they took aim at Senator Joseph [=McCarthy=] during the Army hearings, recasting him as an oily-voiced petty official and in the process becoming among the very few high-profile performers (possibly the only ones beside Walt Kelly with ''{{Pogo}}'') to tackle him directly.

Eventually they would take on pretty much every media trend and sociological fad going, marshalling the ever-dubious assistance of a loyal 'staff' that, besides Wally and Mary, included Webley Webster the mushmouthed book reviewer and Dean Archer Armstead the agricultural guru from 'our field station up in [the industrial wasteland of] Lackawanna'. Regular celebrity drop-ins included Tex Blaisdel the singing cowboy, who also did rope tricks (yes, on radio) and Barry Campbell, star of stage, screen, television and occasionally all-girl orchestra.