Radio Days

Theater of the Mind

All shows

The Abbott and Costello Show

158 episodes · 1940–1949 · NBC, ABC, Armed Forces Radio Service · Comedy

Photo for The Abbott and Costello Show

Play The Abbott and Costello Show on Radio Days

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello came to radio on The Kate Smith Hour on February 3, 1938, and first did "Who's on First?" for a national audience that March. After a summer as Fred Allen's replacement in 1940, they got their own show for Camel cigarettes on October 8, 1942, and stayed until 1947, then moved to ABC through 1949. To help listeners tell them apart, Costello pitched his voice high.

Sources: Abbott and Costello, Wikipedia

Episodes

Tap a year to see its episodes, then a title to play it on Radio Days.

19401 episode
  • Guests: Madame Lazonga July 31, 1940 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The Dance School.”
19422 episodes
  • Bank Robbery with Marlene Dietrich October 15, 1942 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys ride into Dead Pan Gulch after Black Pete the bank robber, who turns out to be Marlene Dietrich.
  • Knights in Shining Armor with Merle Oberon November 19, 1942 · NBC · 30 min
    From an Air Transport Command base in Long Beach: Lou wants to play the romantic lead in Merle Oberon's next picture. Mel Blanc does Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny.
19437 episodes
  • Hunting Guide with Claire Trevor January 14, 1943 · NBC · 29 min
    Jokes about the butter and meat shortages, then a hunting trip in the north woods with Claire Trevor as guide.
  • Guest Lana Turner November 4, 1943 · NBC · 28 min
    The boys have trouble getting into the NBC studio. Broadcast the day Lou Costello's infant son died; it isn't mentioned until the very end.
  • Nylon Stockings with Lucille Ball November 18, 1943 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou tries to get a pair of nylons from Lucille Ball. Two flubbed lines crack up almost everyone.
  • Costello's Pet Turkey with Jane Wyman November 25, 1943 · NBC · 29 min
    The boys plan to make Thanksgiving dinner of Lou's pet turkey, Ingrid. Mel Blanc appears as Bugs Bunny.
  • Guest: Arthur Treacher December 9, 1943 · NBC · 30 min
    Abbott and Costello go to an employment agency to hire a butler, and Arthur Treacher applies.
  • The Wild West with Lynn Bari December 16, 1943 · NBC · 29 min
    The boys work in a butcher shop, then do a Buffalo Bill western with Lynn Bari.
  • The Lawyer with Bert Gordon December 30, 1943 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou tries to collect a year's wages, and the boys hire a lawyer: Bert Gordon as the Mad Russian.
194427 episodes
  • Guest: Judy Canova January 6, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    It's leap year and Costello is against marriage. Will he end up married to Judy Canova?
  • Guest: Peter Lorre January 13, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Abbott teaches Costello how to dodge the flu, and the boys pay a midnight visit to Peter Lorre's sanitarium.
  • Football Game with Harold Peary January 20, 1944 · NBC · 26 min
    Lou takes on the Great Gildersleeve, Harold Peary, on and off the football field.
  • Guest: Janet Blair January 27, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    Costello plans to play a Rachmaninoff concerto at Janet Blair's party, so Professor Nazarro gives him a very quick piano lesson.
  • Guest: Charles Laughton February 10, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    A Valentine's Day show: Charles Laughton joins the gang for "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."
  • Making a Movie with Dorothy Lamour February 17, 1944 · NBC · 28 min
    The boys try to get Dorothy Lamour into their new picture, then rescue her from a desert sheik.
  • Running a Newspaper with Hedda Hopper March 2, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud starts a newspaper, with Hedda Hopper as gossip editor.
  • Missing Script with Blondie and Dagwood March 9, 1944 · NBC · 28 min
    Blondie and Dagwood, Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake, help the boys find their missing script.
  • At the Circus March 16, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Abbott, Costello and guests Alan Hale and Sally Eilers go to the circus, where Costello becomes a target at the ball toss and wrestles Hale.
  • Guest: Linda Darnell March 23, 1944 · NBC · 28 min
    Costello sees a psychiatrist, who prescribes a rest home.
  • Radio Station with Alan Ladd March 30, 1944 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Guests: Cary Grant April 6, 1944 · 28 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Date with Connie Haines May 4, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud takes Connie Haines on a date, despite threats from tough guy John Garfield.
  • Job at a Department Store with Claire Trevor May 11, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou gets a Mother's Day job at a department store, and Claire Trevor shops for perfume.
  • Costello Buys Gifts for Cast June 8, 1944 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    Lou buys gifts for the cast, and the boys do Who's on First. The last show of the season.
  • Investment Advice October 5, 1944 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 31 min
    A sketch set ten years ahead in Lou's prefabricated home, with Who's on First done as old men. The first show of the season.
  • Investing in a Gold Mine October 12, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    Bud and Lou invest in a Nevada gold mine and get trapped in a cave-in.
  • Lou Goes to Jail October 19, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    An arithmetic quiz for Lou, then The State vs. Lou Costello in court.
  • Matrimonial Agency October 26, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys open a matrimonial agency, and Lou plays his own kid brother Sebastian.
  • Mortimers Pet Shop November 2, 1944 · NBC · 25 min
    Lou enters his new dog in a show, and the boys go to work in a pet shop.
  • Lou's Race Horse Peanut Butter November 9, 1944 · NBC · 26 min
    The boys enter Lou's horse in a race with Mr. Kitzel as jockey.
  • Return to P.S. 15 November 16, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou's old school in Paterson wants him for the school play, Romeo and Juliet.
  • Formal Thanksgiving Dinner November 23, 1944 · NBC · 27 min
    Thanksgiving dinner at Bud's, with Mr. Kitzel as the cook, and someone has stolen the pearls.
  • The Bank Robbery November 30, 1944 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    Lou was at the bank during a robbery, and the boys follow the trail to Chinatown.
  • Visit to Tin Pan Alley December 7, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    A visit to a Tin Pan Alley music company, and Lou takes singing lessons.
  • Christmas Shopping for Lou's Girlfriend December 14, 1944 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud and Lou take a trolley downtown to do Christmas shopping.
  • Christmas Party December 21, 1944 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou throws a Christmas party for his little brother.
194523 episodes
  • Lou's House Needs Another Bathtub January 11, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou has bought a house in the country, and now he needs a bathtub.
  • Hertz-You-Drive January 18, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Before his date, Lou visits the barber and a dance studio.
  • Lou Joins the Merchant Marine January 25, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Costello decides to join the Merchant Marine.
  • Jack and the Beanstalk February 15, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 29 min
    The cast does Jack and the Beanstalk.
  • Guest: Frank Sinatra March 1, 1945 · NBC · 28 min
    Frank Sinatra joins the boys back in school in New Jersey, and Frank and Lou sing a duet.
  • New Press Agent March 8, 1945 · 22 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The Two Dirty Bedouins.”
  • Basic Training March 22, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    From an air base in Tucson: routines about horses and Army life.
  • Trying to Hire the Andrews Sisters April 5, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    The U-Drive routine, and the boys hire the Andrews Brothers.
  • Charm School April 19, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    Bud sets Lou up with a date, but first a visit to charm school.
  • Making a Movie with the Andrews Sisters April 26, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    After objecting to the Andrews Brothers, the real Andrews Sisters make a movie with the boys.
  • Spanish Acting School May 3, 1945 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou wants to become a dramatic actor from Brazil.
  • Costello Gets a Tattoo June 7, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 29 min
    A day at the beach, and Bud takes Lou to a dream analyst to stop him thinking about girls.
  • Costello's Fathers Day Gift June 14, 1945 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 29 min
    The boys shop for a Father's Day present for Lou's father.
  • Bud and Lou Are in A Playafrs June 21, 1945 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Leaving for New York.”
  • Return to Paterson June 28, 1945 · NBC · 31 min
    From New York: Lou's hometown, Paterson, wants him to make a speech. The last show of the season.
  • Lou Promises His Girlfriend a Job October 4, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou has told his girl he owns NBC and promised to get her into the movies. The first show of the season.
  • Latin Party November 1, 1945 · NBC · 29 min
    The boys go to a party at a Latin American embassy, and Lou ends up fighting a duel.
  • Lou Hides from His Girlfriend November 15, 1945 · 25 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Uncle Artie Stebbins Ranch.”
  • Opening a Gas Station November 29, 1945 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud and Lou run a gas station.
  • Lou the Fireman December 6, 1945 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud and Lou work as firemen, and Bud explains vitamins.
  • Melonhead's Department Store December 13, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou gets a job in a department store.
  • Lou's Christmas Party December 20, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou plans a Christmas party, but nobody wants to come. The boys meet Santa Claus.
  • Costello's Beauty Shop December 27, 1945 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou runs a beauty salon.
194622 episodes
  • Working in Melonheads Restaurantafrs January 24, 1946 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Looking for an Apartment February 7, 1946 · NBC · 29 min
    Bud's pet pig gets the boys evicted, so they hunt for an apartment.
  • Mrs.Niles Gives the Boys A Job February 14, 1946 · 27 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Costello Looking for a Leading Lady for His New Play February 21, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Bud is putting on a new play. Who's going to be the leading lady?
  • Lou Discovers Uranium March 7, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Running a drugstore, the boys find a bag of uranium and build an atomic bomb. Now to test it.
  • Lou Has to Pay Income Tax March 14, 1946 · NBC · 29 min
    It's income-tax time and Lou is broke, so he tries to borrow from the Loan Arranger.
  • Lou's Sister Is Getting Married March 28, 1946 · Armed Forces Radio Service · 30 min
    Lou's sister is getting married, and Lou doesn't care for the groom.
  • Lou Is Working in the Garden April 11, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    The case of Mrs. Niles vs. Lou Costello.
  • Pet Shop April 18, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys run a pet shop, and Lou goes for a dog license and ends up at the marriage license bureau.
  • The Sheriff of North Hollywood April 25, 1946 · NBC · 25 min
    Lou is mayor of North Hollywood, and the boys try to catch Cactus Pete.
  • Napoleon and Josephine May 2, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou dresses as Napoleon to get a movie part, but first he has to learn romance.
  • Lou Wants to Join the Circus May 9, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou wants to join the circus.
  • Costello Runs for Mayor May 16, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys travel by cattle car to Lou's hometown so he can run for mayor.
  • Preparing for Elsa Maxwell's Party May 30, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    From New York: Bud, Lou and Elsa Maxwell do a Cleopatra drama.
  • Bud and Lou Need Some Dough June 6, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys are locked in their room until they can raise $60 for the rent.
  • The Lewis-conn Fightafrs June 20, 1946 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Costello, the Butler.”
  • Abbott's Big Date June 27, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Before a vacation in Mexico, the boys get butler lessons from Melonhead.
  • Incorrigible October 3, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    After a fight, Bud threatens to break up the act, and Lou dreams about the past. The first show of the season.
  • Lou Is Hallucinating October 10, 1946 · NBC · 30 min
    Every time Lou hears a lie, he hears a horn, and Bud wants Lou to make a will.
  • Thanksgiving Day November 28, 1946 · 27 min
    The Archive copy has no date; Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this title on November 28, 1946, the date used here.
  • Lion Hunting Trip December 5, 1946 · NBC · 29 min
    The cast goes lion hunting, with original songs and parodies.
  • Costello the Air Hero December 12, 1946 · NBC · 29 min
    The boys go hunting, and the cast sings Bring 'Em Back Alive Costello.
194717 episodes
  • From New York City Again February 6, 1947 · NBC · 28 min
    From New York: routines about the boys' families, and Lou tells The Grasshopper and the Bee.
  • Costello Buys a Boat February 13, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou buys a boat, ends up at the marriage license bureau, and the boys are shipwrecked.
  • Ski Jump February 20, 1947 · NBC · 29 min
    A visit to a ski lodge puts Lou on the ski jump, and the story of George Washington.
  • Driving Lessons with Marilyn Maxwell February 27, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou wants to be a western badman, and before giving Marilyn Maxwell a driving lesson he needs a car and a license.
  • Talking About Paying Income Tax March 6, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou tries not to make any money until his taxes are due.
  • Lou Goes to the Racetrack to Lose Money March 13, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou has to get rid of $38,000 before taxes are due, so the boys go to the racetrack.
  • Hanley Stafford Subs for Bud Abbott March 20, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Hanley Stafford fills in for Bud, out with laryngitis, and helps Lou plant a garden.
  • Stock Market March 27, 1947 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou wants money for Marilyn's birthday present, and the boys try the stock market.
  • Nuts and Bolts April 10, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    The boys sell spot remover, and then a dubious tonic.
  • Costello Is Invited to Join the Yankees April 17, 1947 · NBC · 29 min
    Lou is invited to play for the Yankees, which leads to Who's on First.
  • Lou Builds a House April 24, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou plans to build a house, but first he has to buy a lot.
  • Night in Haunted House May 8, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou needs money for a Mother's Day present, and there's $1,000 for anyone who'll spend the night in a haunted house.
  • Lou Wants to Marry Marilyn May 22, 1947 · NBC · 30 min
    Lou proposes to Marilyn, and the boys fly around the world.
  • First Show for Abc October 1, 1947 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Live from the El Capitan.”
  • Lou Wants to Open a Bank Account December 10, 1947 · ABC · 29 min
    Bud tells Lou to open a bank account, and Lou sees a psychiatrist.
  • Christmas Program December 24, 1947 · ABC · 29 min
    Lou tells a Christmas story and meets Santa, and the boys trim the tree.
  • New Year's Eve December 31, 1947 · ABC · 28 min
    New Year's Eve plans, resolutions, and a visit to an astrologer.
194842 episodes
194917 episodes