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Watts and Volts

Who Done It? Lou Costello, Bud Abbott

A classic  Abbott and Costello  routine, in the style of  Who’s on First?, where Bud Abbott tries to explain electricity —  Watts and Volts — only to have Lou Costello think that he’€™s talking about What’s and Votes.   From their movie,  Who Done It?  Interestingly, it was improvised on the spot as they were filming, and reportedly has the other cast and crew in stitches.

Cop: He got 10,000 volts.
Lou Costello: That’s enough to elect anybody, he should be president.
Bud Abbott: No, not that kind.
Lou Costello: What kind?
Bud Abbott: Volts.
Lou Costello: That’s what I said, he got 10,000.
Bud Abbott: You know what volts are?
Lou Costello: They’re what?
Bud Abbott: That’s right.
Lou Costello: What I say?
Bud Abbott: Volts are watts.
Lou Costello: Go ahead and tell me.
Bud Abbott: You just said it.
Lou Costello: I just asked you to tell me what I said.   What I said?
Bud Abbott: Volts are watts!
Lou Costello: Volts are whats?
Bud Abbott: Yes.
Lou Costello: I’m asking you what’s volts.
Bud Abbott: That’s right.
Lou Costello: Don’t try to twist me now, what are you talking about, a dialect?
Bud Abbott: Watts! Watts! Watts!
Lou Costello: What’s what’s what’s whats?
Bud Abbott: Volts!
Lou Costello: What’s volts?
Bud Abbott: That’s right.
Lou Costello: Well, go ahead and tell me.
Bud Abbott: Well, that’s it.
Lou Costello: What are volts?
Bud Abbott: That’s right.
Lou Costello: I’m asking you.
Bud Abbott: Watts are volts.
Lou Costello: What?
Bud Abbott: That’s right.
Lou Costello: Next thing you know you’ll be telling me Watts on second base!
Bud Abbott: Now, don’t start that!
Lou Costello: That’s enough!

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