Description

• Parodied radio broadcasting: Their shows were often structured as ostensibly serious radio programs, with Bob and Ray playing the hosts, alongside a rotating cast of eccentric characters, all voiced by the duo themselves. They masterfully satirized the medium they were performing in, poking fun at interviews, commercials, news reports, and melodramatic soap operas.
• Created a world of characters: They developed a rich universe of recurring characters, each with their own quirks and foibles. Some of their most famous include:
  • Wally Ballou: A hapless and often inept on-the-scene reporter, famous for always beginning his reports mid-sentence (e.g., "...ally Ballou here").
  • Mary Backstage, Noble Wife: A parody of popular radio soap operas, filled with dramatic pronouncements and everyday absurdities.
  • Mary McGoon: A quirky and sometimes cantankerous cooking expert.
  • Mr. Trace, Keener Than Most Persons: A spoof of detective shows like "Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons."
  • Tex Blaisdell: A drawling cowboy singer who would often show up to plug his latest personal appearance.
• Improvised and ad-libbed: Their early shows, particularly "Matinee with Bob and Ray" in Boston, were heavily improvised, showcasing their natural comedic rapport and telepathic timing.
• Subtle and intelligent humor: While their humor could be broad, it was often incredibly subtle, relying on meticulous consideration of the absurd and a calm, straight-faced approach to the bizarre. Kurt Vonnegut, who once submitted sketch ideas to them, noted that their characters often threatened to "wreck themselves and their surroundings with their own stupidity."
• Influential: Their unique style of comedy has influenced many later comedians and shows, including "Saturday Night Live" and "Monty Python's Flying Circus."