September 26, 1960 - December 28, 1962
Jack Linkletter interviews Bud Abbott.
Here's Hollywood. December 07, 1962. NBC-TV net audio. Jack Linkletter interviews Bud Abbott at his home in Woodland Hills, California. This one on one interview was the only one Bud Abbott is confirmed to have ever given (detailed) on television. Recorded off the air by Phil Gries who is responsible for its existence as a broadcast record. Most all of the over 1000 Here's Hollywood interviews, originally recorded on 2" Quadraplex Video Tape were erased after they were used/telecast for broadcast.
Abbott discusses his 8 year old $750,000 tax audit and how he finally paid every cent back to the government. He states, "They now owe me money." Also discussed,his 25 year partnership with Lou Costello, how they originally got together when each were working in burlesque with different partners. Abbott reflects on his Dad who worked for Barnum & Bailey, his mother who was a bareback rider in the circus, why he and Lou broke up as a comedy team (Bud states that it was not his idea but Costello's to go their separate ways, and is not bitter about the breakup). He reminds us of how their famous "Who's on First" routine (its play on words) was taken from an old minstrel routine, how they came up with other routines, and the fact that he and Lou were voted into Cooperstown Hall of Fame. Bud Abbot discusses the break up of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and the fact that he never drove his own automobile. He discusses his new alliance with partner Candy Candido.