June 19, 2025

How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56)

How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey step up to the plate with the unbelievable true story of how a simple comedy sketch—Who’s on First—helped pull Universal Studios back from the brink of bankruptcy. Along the way, they cover the box office power of How to Train Your Dragon, a surprising coaster IP twist, and the last remaining piece of the Jaws ride hiding in plain sight.

  • Abbott & Costello’s rise from burlesque to box office saviors

  • How Who’s on First became a studio-saving sensation

  • Fast & Furious coaster car reveal—and Orlando’s unexpected pivot

  • The Dragon’s Father’s Day box office fire and epic synergy

  • New Halloween Horror Nights house starring Jason Voorhees

  • A mysterious old bathroom with Jaws-sized history

From the backlot to the ballfield, it’s one of the most unexpected—and most entertaining—episodes yet.

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