"The Bob and Ray Show" was a legendary American comedy program primarily on radio, featuring the comedic duo of Bob Elliott (1923–2016) and Ray Goulding (1922–1990). Their career spanned five decades, from the 1940s to the 1980s, and they gained national recognition for their unique brand of dry wit, deadpan delivery, and absurdist satire.What they did:

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."

History: Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding first met in 1946 while working at Boston radio station WHDH, Elliott as a disc jockey and Goulding as a newscaster. Their informal on-air banter was so appealing that they were given their own show, "Matinee with Bob and Ray." Their popularity led them to New York in 1951, where they appeared on major networks like NBC, CBS, and Mutual, and also on local New York City stations.While primarily known for their radio work, they also made appearances on television (including their own short-lived TV show and guest spots on programs like "The Tonight Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show"), in films, and on Broadway with their two-man stage production "The Two and Only." They were also famous for voicing the "Bert and Harry Piel" characters in popular beer commercials.Their final regular series was a weekly program for National Public Radio, which ran from 1982 to 1987, continuing their tradition of gentle lampooning and unique comedic sensibility until Ray Goulding's health declined. Ray Goulding passed away in 1990, and Bob Elliott in 2016.

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