I don't know how old this Bob Newhart is, but it is pure comedy Gold.

 

 

"Look Willard I'm taking just as big a chance as you are. I mean it's my responsibility. If that thing goes off, it's me they're going to want to talk to not you, you know."

 

Does anybody else have some favourites?

Newhart is famous for his "on the phone" routines. All his television shows capitalized on this too, he often got calls from various people. His timing is impeccable, and that trademark sort of dialogue-stutter is so realistic you could swear there's someone on the other end of the line.

 

Imo, you can't go back too far for your comedy though. I remember seeing some old Ernie Kovacs shows and that guy had pauses between jokes you could drive a truck through. As people got used to the medium of television, they picked up the pace.