Classic Comedy: The Genius Of Lou Costello

As a performer in my other incarnation, I study classic and contemporary comedians…and seem to keep coming back to one comic/tragic figure. It’s Lou Costello, the rolly-polly part of the famous Abbott and Costello comedy team that dominated radio and movies in the 40s, appeared on early TV, broke up in the mid-fifties and ended definitely in 1959. It’s because in March 1959 Costello died of heart disease at age 52.

But he’s still such a joy to watch and study — moreso in his filmed TV show…a show that Jerry Seinfeld says inspired his show “Seinfeld.” Or, you can study him and Bud Abbott performing “live” before early live TV audiences.

If you’re a student of comedy, watch Costello closely in this 8 minute clip from the first season of team’s TV show.
See how he looks at and connects to the audience. Note his timing. His incredible likeability. His charisma (he was actually the highly assertive member of the team) shines through. I keep watching him again and again because he left a legacy of still-wonderful comedic performances that you can collect on DVD: