Abbott and Costello at bat again

It's difficult to imagine the baseball season without hearing at least once the legendary "Who's on First?" routine of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

It has become one of the most beloved Abbott and Costello moments of all time. A video of the boys doing the bit plays continuously at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Time magazine selected it as the best comedy sketch of the 20th century.

That classic routine and many others can be enjoyed again in "The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series," which has just been released on DVD (E1, $60). The nine-disc set features all 52 restored and remastered episodes as well as a bonus disc of delightful extras. A 44-page book expands on the series.

When the show premiered in syndication during the fall of 1952, most critics gave it a thumb's down. However, viewers gradually took to the series and it remained in syndicated reruns for more than 30 years. It even showed up on CBS' Saturday-morning lineup during the summer and fall of 1954.

"My dad and Bud wanted to take advantage of the then-new medium of TV," said Lou Costello's daughter, Chris. "They had been in burlesque, and this offered them a platform for many of their skits. Some of the other actors on the show had also been in burlesque."

For fans of comedy and of Abbott and Costello, the DVD collection is a treasure chest of fun and history. It's hard to imagine anyone not laughing while watching sketches such as "The Lemon Bit," "Niagara Falls," "Floogle Street," "Dice Game" and, of course, "Who's on First." They are as funny today as they were more than a half-century ago.

Abbott and Costello, both New Jersey natives, became a team in 1936 and within two years had become a big hit on radio. Hollywood came calling and the duo went on to headline three dozens films from 1940 to 1956. They were the kings of motion-picture comedy in the 1940s.

"I think in my adult years was when I really came to appreciate how much my dad meant to so many people," she said. "I watched his work and really got interested in it."

Growing up as the daughter of Lou Costello didn't seem extraordinary to her.

"We had a really close relationship, but he was just Dad to me," she said. "He made sure that his kids' lives were as normal as they could be. I guess I knew there was something special about him because kids just loved being around him."

Among the extras on the DVD set are color home movies of the Costellos enjoying holidays and other events such as birthdays. It's obvious Lou enjoyed the special occasions.

"Dad always looked forward to the holidays," Chris said. "He'd go all out with his decorations. There was still a lot of kid in Dad."

"I'm happy to say it is still operating today," Chris Costello said about the foundation. She is also happy about the new DVD set.