Nichols_NP0 had_VHD one_CRD phone_NN1 number_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS pocket_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP was_VBD all_DT0 he_PNP needed_VVD ._SENT He_PNP and_CJC May_NP0 were_VBD in_PRP New_NP0 York_NP0 City_NN1 with_PRP $_NN0 40_CRD in_PRP borrowed_AJ0 money_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 names_NN2 of_PRF a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF friends_NN2 willing_AJ0 to_TO0 let_VVI them_PNP sleep_VVI on_PRP their_DPS sofas_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 single_AJ0 contact_NN1 ._SENT An_AT0 actress_NN1 he_PNP had_VHD known_VVN from_PRP his_DPS Strasberg_NP0 days_NN2 was_VBD married_VVN to_PRP an_AT0 associate_NN1 of_PRF Jack_NP0 Rollins_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 talent_NN1 manager_NN1 who_PNQ could_VM0 book_VVI singers_NN2 ,_PUN comedians_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC novelty_NN1 acts_NN2 into_PRP any_DT0 club_NN1 in_PRP town_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP got_VVD an_AT0 appointment_NN1 ,_PUN visited_VVD Rollins_NP0 in_PRP his_DPS small_AJ0 office_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC did_VDD fifteen_CRD or_CJC twenty_CRD minutes_NN2 of_PRF material_NN1 ._SENT First_ORD they_PNP showed_VVD him_PNP “_AJ0 Teenagers_NN2 ,_PUN ”_NP0 then_AV0 they_PNP tried_VVD out_AVP an_AT0 idea_NN1 they_PNP had_VHD started_VVN to_TO0 develop_VVI in_PRP Chicago_NP0 ._SENT They_PNP asked_VVD Rollins_NP0 to_TO0 suggest_VVI a_AT0 first_ORD line_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 last_ORD line_NN1 and_CJC told_VVD him_PNP they_PNP would_VM0 invent_VVI a_AT0 scene_NN1 for_PRP him_PNP on_PRP the_AT0 spot_NN1 ._SENT May_NP0 riffed_NP0 ;_PUN Nichols_NP0 moved_VVD her_PNP along_AVP when_CJS he_PNP sensed_VVD the_AT0 time_NN1 was_VBD right_AJ0 ._SENT “_NP0 Elaine_NP0 would_VM0 go_VVI on_AVP forever_AV0 if_CJS you_PNP let_VVB her_PNP ,_PUN ”_NP0 said_VVD Rollins_NP0 ._SENT “_NP0 She_PNP was_VBD insanely_AV0 creative_AJ0 but_CJC had_VHD no_AT0 sense_NN1 of_PRF when_AVQ to_TO0 quit_VVI ._SENT Mike_NP0 [_PUL was_VBD ]_PUR Mr._NP0 Practical_AJ0 ._SENT ”_NP0 They_PNP won_VVD him_PNP over_AVP ._SENT “_NP0 [_PUL I_PNP thought_VVD ]_PUR my_DPS God_NN1 !_SENT I_PNP am_VBB finding_VVG two_CRD people_NN0 who_PNQ are_VBB writing_VVG hilarious_AJ0 comedy_NN1 on_PRP their_DPS feet_NN2 ,_PUN ”_NP0 he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT “_NP0 They_PNP did_VDD things_NN2 that_CJT were_VBD taboo_AJ0 in_PRP those_DT0 days_NN2 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT they_PNP would_VM0 uncover_VVI dark_AJ0 little_AJ0 niches_NN2 that_CJT you_PNP felt_VVD but_CJC never_AV0 had_VHD expressed_VVN ._SENT They_PNP expressed_VVD it_PNP for_PRP you_PNP ._SENT ”_NP0 It_PNP was_VBD done_VDN ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD in_AVP ._SENT “_NP0 They_PNP were_VBD remarkable_AJ0 ,_PUN ”_NP0 Rollins_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT “_NP0 They_PNP were_VBD complete_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP knew_VVD they_PNP had_VHD something_PNI odd_AJ0 and_CJC wonderful_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP didn’t_VVB know_VVB whether_CJS to_TO0 laugh_VVI or_CJC cry_VVI ._SENT ”_VVB That_DT0 day_NN1 he_PNP took_VVD them_PNP out_AVP to_PRP lunch_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Russian_AJ0 Tea_NN1 Room_NN1 and_CJC signed_VVD them_PNP ._SENT They_PNP were_VBD relieved_AJ0 when_CJS he_PNP picked_VVD up_AVP the_AT0 check_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 late_AJ0 1950s_CRD ,_PUN supper-club_NN1 culture_NN1 was_VBD still_AV0 a_AT0 thriving_AJ0 New_NP0 York_NP0 scene_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP full_AJ0 houses_NN2 ,_PUN big_AJ0 names_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 cadre_NN1 of_PRF columnists_NN2 covering_VVG every_AT0 up_AVP and_CJC down_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC Rollins_NP0 got_VVD them_PNP an_AT0 audition_NN1 at_PRP one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 popular_AJ0 of_PRF the_AT0 East_NN1 Side_NN1 cabarets_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 owner_NN1 ,_PUN Max_NP0 Gordon_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD as_AV0 impressed_AJ0 as_CJS Rollins_NP0 had_VHD been_VBN ,_PUN and_CJC offered_VVD them_PNP a_AT0 booking_NN1 in_PRP two_CRD weeks_NN2 ._SENT Politely_AV0 ,_PUN Nichols_NP0 explained_VVD that_CJT they_PNP needed_VVD money_NN1 sooner_AV0 than_CJS that_DT0 ._SENT So_AV0 Gordon_NP0 gave_VVD them_PNP a_AT0 second_ORD ,_PUN temporary_AJ0 gig_NN1 —_PUN starting_VVG right_AV0 away_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP could_VM0 play_VVI his_DPS downtown_AJ0 club_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Village_NN1 Vanguard_NN1 ,_PUN until_CJS the_AT0 spot_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 opened_VVD up_AVP ._SENT 
The_AT0 venues_NN2 couldn’t_NN1 have_VHB been_VBN more_AV0 different_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 Vanguard_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 mainstay_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 West_NN1 Village_NN1 for_PRP almost_AV0 twenty-five_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 casual_AJ0 watering_NN1 hole_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 young_AJ0 crowd_NN1 of_PRF locals_NN2 ,_PUN beatniks_NN2 ,_PUN poets_NN2 ,_PUN potheads_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC anyone_PNI else_AV0 who_PNQ liked_VVD jazz_NN1 combos_NN2 ,_PUN blues_NN2 singers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC cheap_AJ0 drinks_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 acoustics_NN2 were_VBD rough_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 chairs_NN2 scraped_VVD noisily_AV0 on_PRP the_AT0 floor_NN1 when_CJS anyone_PNI moved_VVD ._SENT The_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 was_VBD dark_AJ0 ,_PUN plush_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC self-consciously_AV0 swank_VVB ,_PUN a_AT0 long_AJ0 ,_PUN narrow_AJ0 space_NN1 with_PRP gray_AJ0 velour_NN1 and_CJC pink_AJ0 rosettes_NN2 covering_VVG the_AT0 walls_NN2 ,_PUN thick_AJ0 carpeting_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 well-_AJ0 dressed_AJ0 clientele_NN1 crowded_VVN at_PRP small_AJ0 black_AJ0 tables_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 room_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 stage_NN1 so_AV0 tiny_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 singer_NN1 and_CJC actress_NN1 Dorothy_NP0 Loudon_NP0 once_AV0 said_VVD it_PNP was_VBD “_AJ0 like_PRP trying_VVG to_TO0 perform_VVI on_PRP top_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 cocktail_NN1 napkin_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 The_AT0 Vanguard_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ bore_VVD a_AT0 close_AJ0 resemblance_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 bars_NN2 Nichols_NP0 and_CJC May_NP0 had_VHD played_VVN in_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 comfortable_AJ0 place_NN1 for_PRP them_PNP to_TO0 warm_VVI up_AVP ._SENT They_PNP started_VVD there_AV0 in_PRP early_AJ0 October_NP0 as_PRP the_AT0 opening_AJ0 act_NN1 for_PRP Mort_NP0 Sahl_NP0 ,_PUN whose_DTQ style_NN1 of_PRF casually_AV0 delivered_VVN topical_AJ0 humor_NN1 —_PUN the_AT0 equivalent_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 live_AJ0 late-night_AJ0 monologue_NN1 —_PUN had_VHD brought_VVN him_PNP a_AT0 measure_NN1 of_PRF success_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 previous_AJ0 few_DT0 years_NN2 ._SENT Every_AT0 night_NN1 ,_PUN Sahl_NP0 would_VM0 stroll_VVI out_AVP onstage_AJ0 ,_PUN usually_AV0 in_PRP a_AT0 red_AJ0 V-neck_AJ0 sweater_NN1 and_CJC with_PRP a_AT0 folded_AJ0 newspaper_NN1 under_PRP one_CRD arm_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC riff_VVB on_PRP the_AT0 day’s_NN1 events_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP wasn’t_VVD Nichols’s_NP0 style_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC he_PNP saw_VVD how_AVQ effectively_AV0 Sahl_NP0 worked_VVD the_AT0 turf_NN1 ;_PUN he_PNP packed_VVD the_AT0 Vanguard_NN1 every_AT0 night_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC thus_AV0 guaranteed_VVN his_DPS two_CRD novice_NN1 openers_NN2 a_AT0 big_AJ0 audience_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP came_VVD up_AVP with_PRP a_AT0 short_AJ0 set_NN1 tailored_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 small_AJ0 space_NN1 —_PUN nothing_PNI that_CJT required_AJ0 props_NN2 or_CJC a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF physical_AJ0 action_NN1 would_VM0 work_VVI ,_PUN but_CJC “_NN1 Teenagers_NN2 ,_PUN ”_NP0 set_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 parked_AJ0 car_NN1 at_PRP night_NN1 ,_PUN could_VM0 be_VBI done_VDN with_PRP just_AV0 two_CRD high_AJ0 stools_NN2 on_PRP which_DTQ they_PNP sat_VVD side_NN1 by_PRP side_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 radio-host-and-starlet_NN1 sketch_NN1 might_VM0 also_AV0 play_VVI well_AV0 ,_PUN or_CJC perhaps_AV0 “_AJ0 Telephone_NN1 ,_PUN ”_VVB a_AT0 reliable_AJ0 routine_NN1 they’d_NN1 worked_VVD up_AVP with_PRP Nichols_NP0 as_PRP a_AT0 young_AJ0 man_NN1 desperate_AJ0 to_TO0 make_VVI a_AT0 call_NN1 from_PRP a_AT0 pay_NN1 phone_NN1 and_CJC down_AVP to_PRP his_DPS last_ORD dime_NN1 and_CJC May_NP0 voicing_VVG a_AT0 series_NN0 of_PRF operators_NN2 ranging_VVG from_PRP bored_AJ0 to_PRP extravagantly_AV0 solicitous_AJ0 ._SENT 
After_PRP “_NN1 Teenagers_NN2 ”_NN1 and_CJC maybe_AV0 one_CRD more_DT0 sketch_NN1 (_PUL or_CJC not_XX0 ,_PUN depending_VVG on_PRP Sahl’s_NP0 level_NN1 of_PRF impatience_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN they_PNP would_VM0 do_VDI what_DTQ they’d_NP0 done_VDN to_TO0 impress_VVI Rollins_NP0 :_PUN They_PNP would_VM0 ask_VVI the_AT0 audience_NN1 for_PRP line_NN1 suggestions_NN2 —_PUN and_CJC for_PRP a_AT0 particular_AJ0 literary_AJ0 style_NN1 ,_PUN from_PRP Shakespeare_NP0 to_PRP Tolstoy_NP0 to_PRP Clifford_NP0 Odets_NP0 —_PUN and_CJC ,_PUN for_PRP their_DPS big_AJ0 finish_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP would_VM0 improvise_VVI a_AT0 scene_NN1 in_PRP that_DT0 writer’s_AJ0 style_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 laugh_NN1 when_CJS they_PNP got_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD line_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 audience_NN1 delighted_VVD to_TO0 discover_VVI how_AVQ they’d_NP0 made_VVD their_DPS way_NN1 there_AV0 ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 perfect_AJ0 high_NN1 on_PRP which_DTQ to_TO0 end_VVI ._SENT “_VVB The_AT0 trick_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN we_PNP had_VHD both_AV0 read_VVN everything_PNI ,_PUN ”_NP0 May_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT “_VVB The_AT0 toughest_AJS thing_NN1 was_VBD if_CJS they_PNP gave_VVD us_PNP an_AT0 easy_AJ0 one_PNI ,_PUN because_CJS we_PNP hadn’t_VVB read_VVB the_AT0 easy_AJ0 ones_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC they_PNP would_VM0 try_VVI to_TO0 stump_VVI us_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 more_AV0 they_PNP did_VDD that_DT0 ,_PUN the_AT0 easier_AJC it_PNP got_VVD ._SENT Greek_AJ0 plays_NN2 were_VBD easy_AJ0 ._SENT Ibsen_NP0 was_VBD easy_AJ0 ._SENT Harold_NP0 Robbins_NP0 would_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN hard_AJ0 ,_PUN because_CJS we_PNP hadn’t_VVB read_VVB him_PNP ._SENT ”_VVB The_AT0 improv_NN1 invariably_AV0 showcased_VVD the_AT0 two_CRD of_PRF them_PNP at_PRP their_DPS most_AV0 relaxed_AJ0 and_CJC connected_AJ0 ._SENT Nichols_NP0 would_VM0 have_VHI to_TO0 fight_VVI to_TO0 keep_VVI from_PRP breaking_VVG character_NN1 and_CJC cracking_VVG up_AVP ,_PUN a_AT0 habit_NN1 he’d_NN1 gotten_VVN into_PRP in_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN sometimes_AV0 to_TO0 get_VVI an_AT0 audience_NN1 on_PRP their_DPS side_NN1 but_CJC more_AV0 often_AV0 because_CJS he_PNP just_AV0 couldn’t_VVB help_VVI it_PNP ._SENT “_VVB This_DT0 will_VM0 sound_VVI simple-minded_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC we_PNP both_AV0 thought_VVD the_AT0 same_DT0 things_NN2 were_VBD funny_AJ0 ,_PUN ”_NP0 May_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT “_NP0 We_PNP found_VVD each_DT0 other_AJ0 hilarious_AJ0 ._SENT ”_NP0 Downtown_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD an_AT0 instant_AJ0 sensation_NN1 —_PUN so_AV0 instant_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 audience_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 second_ORD night_NN1 already_AV0 included_VVN repeat_NN1 visitors_NN2 ._SENT Sahl_NP0 was_VBD in_PRP danger_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG upstaged_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP knew_VVD it_PNP ;_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 second_ORD week_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS Vanguard_NN1 run_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP stepped_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF times_NN2 just_AV0 as_CJS they_PNP were_VBD about_AVP to_TO0 go_VVI on_AVP and_CJC canceled_VVD their_DPS set_NN1 ,_PUN telling_VVG them_PNP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 was_VBD already_AV0 primed_VVN enough_AV0 for_PRP the_AT0 main_AJ0 attraction_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP hurtled_VVD toward_PRP their_DPS opening_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 with_PRP barely_AV0 a_AT0 moment_NN1 to_TO0 rearrange_VVI their_DPS lives_NN2 ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 Vanguard_NN1 ,_PUN Nichols_NP0 and_CJC May_NP0 could_VM0 wear_VVI trousers_NN2 and_CJC turtlenecks_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC when_CJS they_PNP left_VVD St._NP0 Louis_NP0 ,_PUN neither_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP had_VHD taken_VVN along_AVP anything_PNI dressy_AJ0 enough_AV0 for_PRP a_AT0 Midtown_NP0 nightclub_NN1 ._SENT “_NP0 Jack_NP0 bought_VVD Mike_NP0 a_AT0 new_AJ0 shirt_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Jack’s_NP0 wife_NN1 took_VVD Elaine_NP0 out_AVP and_CJC bought_VVD her_PNP a_AT0 dress_NN1 ,_PUN ”_NP0 recalled_VVD Rollins’s_NP0 partner_NN1 ,_PUN Charles_NP0 replaced-dns_NN2 of_PRF them_PNP were_VBD trying_VVG to_TO0 find_VVI apartments_NN2 —_PUN May_NP0 would_VM0 soon_AV0 be_VBI able_AJ0 to_TO0 move_VVI both_DT0 her_DPS mother_NN1 and_CJC her_DPS daughter_NN1 to_PRP New_NP0 York_NP0 to_TO0 live_VVI with_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC Nichols_NP0 was_VBD on_PRP the_AT0 phone_NN1 to_PRP his_DPS wife_NN1 ,_PUN trying_VVG to_TO0 get_VVI her_PNP to_TO0 tie_VVI up_AVP loose_AJ0 ends_NN2 in_PRP Chicago_NP0 and_CJC join_VVB him_PNP ._SENT Otherwise_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP hadn’t_NN1 touched_VVD base_NN1 with_PRP anyone_PNI ,_PUN a_AT0 fact_NN1 of_PRF which_DTQ Nichols_NP0 was_VBD reminded_VVN when_CJS the_AT0 phone_NN1 rang_VVD and_CJC the_AT0 voice_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 end_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP icy_AJ0 precision_NN1 ,_PUN said_VVD ,_PUN “_NP0 Hello_ITJ ,_PUN Michael_NP0 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ your_DPS mother_NN1 speaking_VVG ._SENT Do_VDB you_PNP remember_VVI me_PNP ?_SENT ”_NP0 
“_NP0 I_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN ‘Mom_NP0 ,_PUN can_VM0 I_PNP call_VVI you_PNP right_AV0 back_AVP ?_SENT ’_PUQ ”_NP0 Nichols_NP0 remembered_VVD ._SENT “_NP0 And_CJC I_PNP called_VVD Elaine_NP0 and_CJC said_VVD ,_PUN ‘I_NN2 have_VHB a_AT0 new_AJ0 piece_NN1 for_PRP tonight_AV0 ,_PUN ’_PUQ and_CJC I_PNP told_VVD her_PNP the_AT0 first_ORD line_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN ‘Oh_NP0 !_SENT Say_VVB no_ITJ more_AV0 !_SENT ’_PUQ We_PNP did_VDD it_PNP that_DT0 night_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP had_VHD talked_VVN about_PRP it_PNP no_AV0 more_AV0 than_CJS that_DT0 and_CJC the_AT0 way_NN1 we_PNP did_VDD it_PNP stayed_VVD forever_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP told_VVD my_DPS mother_NN1 it_PNP was_VBD Elaine’s_NP0 mother_NN1 ,_PUN she_PNP told_VVD her_DPS mother_NN1 it_PNP was_VBD my_DPS mother_NN1 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT it_PNP was_VBD very_AV0 liberating_AJ0 !_SENT ”_VVB The_AT0 sketch_NN1 ,_PUN known_VVN as_PRP “_NP0 Mother_NP0 and_CJC Son_NP0 ,_PUN ”_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 six-minute_AJ0 phone_NN1 conversation_NN1 between_PRP Nichols_NP0 ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 brilliant_AJ0 rocket_NN1 scientist_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 launch_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC his_DPS emotional_AJ0 assassin_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 mother_NN1 ._SENT (_PUL “_NP0 Arthur_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP sat_VVD by_PRP that_DT0 phone_NN1 all_DT0 day_NN1 Friday_NP0 and_CJC all_DT0 day_NN1 Friday_NP0 night_NN1 and_CJC all_DT0 day_NN1 Saturday_NP0 and_CJC all_DT0 day_NN1 Sunday_NP0 ._SENT Your_DPS father_NN1 finally_AV0 said_VVD to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN ‘Phyllis_NP0 ,_PUN eat_VVB something_PNI ,_PUN you’ll_NP0 faint.’_NP0 I_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN ‘Harry_NP0 ,_PUN no._NN1 I_CRD don’t_NN1 want_VVB my_DPS mouth_NN1 to_TO0 be_VBI full_AJ0 when_CJS my_DPS son_NN1 calls.’_NP0 ”_NP0 )_PUR It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 superb_AJ0 showcase_NN1 for_PRP May_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ made_VVD a_AT0 feast_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF lines_NN2 like_PRP “_NP0 I’m_NN1 sorry_AJ0 I_PNP bothered_VVD you_PNP when_CJS you_PNP were_VBD so_AV0 busy_AJ0 —_PUN believe_VVB me_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP won’t_NN1 be_VBI around_AVP to_TO0 bother_VVI you_PNP much_AV0 longer_AV0 ”_NP0 and_CJC “_NP0 [_PUL My_DPS doctor_NN1 ]_PUR said_VVD ,_PUN ‘Mrs_NP0 ._SENT White_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP have_VHB been_VBN a_AT0 doctor_NN1 for_PRP thirty-five_CRD years_NN2 and_CJC I_PNP have_VHB never_AV0 heard_VVN of_PRF a_AT0 son_NN1 who’s_VVZ too_AV0 busy_AJ0 to_TO0 call_VVI his_DPS mother.’_AJ0 That’s_NN2 what_DTQ he_PNP said_VVD to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN Arthur_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC that_DT0 man_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 doctor_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 )_PUR 
The_AT0 mother_NN1 as_CJS underminer_NP0 was_VBD not_XX0 a_AT0 new_AJ0 comedy_NN1 invention_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 measure_NN1 of_PRF Eisenhower-era_NP0 misogyny_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 notion_NN1 that_CJT all_DT0 women_NN2 eventually_AV0 emasculate_VVB their_DPS sons_NN2 —_PUN Nichols’s_NP0 character_NN1 literally_AV0 becomes_VVZ a_AT0 babbling_AJ0 toddler_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC the_AT0 barbs_NN2 were_VBD so_AV0 well_AV0 aimed_VVN and_CJC the_AT0 passive-aggression_NN1 so_AV0 specifically_AV0 and_CJC personally_AV0 observed_VVD that_CJT it_PNP all_DT0 felt_VVD as_AV0 fresh_AJ0 to_PRP audience_NN1 members_NN2 as_CJS if_CJS Nichols_NP0 and_CJC May_NP0 had_VHD somehow_AV0 unearthed_VVN their_DPS family_NN1 secrets_NN2 ._SENT With_PRP Nichols_NP0 graciously_AV0 teeing_VVG up_AVP one_CRD punch_NN1 line_NN1 after_PRP another_DT0 for_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 scene_NN1 became_VVD an_AT0 instant_AJ0 staple_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS act_NN1 and_CJC one_CRD of_PRF their_DPS most_DT0 frequently_AV0 requested_VVN sketches_NN2 ._SENT 
For_PRP the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 they_PNP created_VVD a_AT0 set_NN1 list_NN1 that_CJT included_VVD “_NN1 Teenagers_NN2 ,_PUN ”_NP0 “_NP0 Mother_NP0 and_CJC Son_NP0 ,_PUN ”_NP0 “_NP0 Disc_NN1 Jockey_NN1 ”_NN1 (_PUL the_AT0 Jack_NP0 Ego_NN1 sketch_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN and_CJC “_NP0 Pirandello_NP0 ”_NP0 and_CJC ended_VVD with_PRP the_AT0 audience-prompted_AJ0 improv_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP gave_VVD their_DPS first_ORD performance_NN1 in_PRP mid-October_NP0 ;_PUN they_PNP were_VBD 
initially_AV0 a_AT0 late-night_AJ0 act_NN1 ,_PUN for_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ didn’t_VVB mind_NN1 staying_VVG up_AVP and_CJC staying_VVG out_AVP ._SENT Two_CRD weeks_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN Rollins_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN “_NP0 they_PNP were_VBD the_AT0 hottest_AJS thing_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 
As_CJS hyperbolic_AJ0 as_CJS that_DT0 sounds_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP wasn’t_VVD much_DT0 of_PRF an_AT0 exaggeration_NN1 ._SENT Within_PRP days_NN2 of_PRF Nichols_NP0 and_CJC May’s_NP0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 opening_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP became_VVD a_AT0 badge_NN1 of_PRF cultural_AJ0 cachet_NN1 to_TO0 say_VVI you_PNP saw_VVD them_PNP first_ORD ,_PUN you_PNP saw_VVD them_PNP twice_AV0 ,_PUN you_PNP saw_VVD them_PNP in_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN you_PNP saw_VVD them_PNP downtown_AJ0 ._SENT On_PRP October_NP0 24_CRD ,_PUN they_PNP got_VVD their_DPS first_ORD review_NN1 ,_PUN from_PRP the_AT0 New_AJ0 York_NP0 Journal-_AJ0 American’s_NP0 Gene_NP0 Knight_NP0 ._SENT “_NP0 A_AT0 large_AJ0 crowd_NN1 gathered_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 sidewalk_NN1 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF 152_CRD E_NP0 55th_ORD St._NP0 Something_PNI happen_VVI ?_SENT Yes_ITJ ._SENT This_DT0 was_VBD the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 at_PRP midnight_NN1 and_CJC Mike_NP0 Nichols_NP0 and_CJC Elaine_NP0 May_NP0 ,_PUN sensational_AJ0 young_AJ0 comedy_NN1 team_NN1 ,_PUN were_VBD about_AVP to_TO0 go_VVI on_AVP ._SENT These_DT0 people_NN0 outside_AV0 
were_VBD trying_VVG ,_PUN more_AV0 or_CJC less_AV0 unsuccessfully_AV0 ,_PUN to_TO0 get_VVI in_PRP ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD among_PRP the_AT0 fortunate_AJ0 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT Mike_NP0 and_CJC Elaine_NP0 certainly_AV0 pack_VVB ’em_NN1 in_PRP ._SENT Without_PRP any_DT0 waste_NN1 of_PRF time_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 boy_NN1 and_CJC girl_NN1 went_VVD to_TO0 work_VVI on_PRP their_DPS disk_NN1 jockey_NN1 bit_NN1 ._SENT I’ve_NP0 heard_VVD them_PNP do_VDI it_PNP before_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC they_PNP stage_VVB sketches_NN2 you_PNP enjoy_VVB seeing_VVG again_AV0 and_CJC again_AV0 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT The_AT0 lines_NN2 (_PUL they_PNP write_VVB their_DPS own_DT0 sophisticated_AJ0 stuff_NN1 )_PUR are_VBB the_AT0 cleverest_AJS heard_VVN at_PRP any_DT0 club_NN1 in_PRP town_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 pace_NN1 leads_VVZ to_TO0 laugh_VVI after_PRP laugh_NN1 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT There_EX0 is_VBZ nothing_PNI funnier_AJC in_PRP the_AT0 niteries_NN2 ._SENT ”_NP0 (_PUL Variety’s_NP0 critic_NN1 wasn’t_NN1 as_CJS sure_AJ0 ;_PUN he_PNP called_VVD them_PNP “_AJ0 hipsters’_NN1 hipsters_NN2 ”_NN1 and_CJC warned_VVD ,_PUN “_NN1 in_PRP average_NN1 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT spots_NN2 the_AT0 act_NN1 will_VM0 have_VHI trouble_NN1 finding_VVG its_DPS mark_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 )_PUR 
Gordon_NP0 realized_VVD that_CJT he’d_NP0 stumbled_VVD upon_PRP gold_NN1 ;_PUN he_PNP quickly_AV0 signed_VVD Nichols_NP0 and_CJC May_NP0 to_PRP a_AT0 six-month_AJ0 contract_NN1 ._SENT By_PRP December_NP0 they_PNP had_VHD landed_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 pages_NN2 of_PRF The_AT0 New_AJ0 Yorker_NN1 ._SENT “_NN1 Taking_VVG shelter_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 damp_AJ0 one_CRD recent_AJ0 night_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP wandered_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 Blue_AJ0 Angel_NN1 and_CJC caught_VVD their_DPS act_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP enjoyed_VVD it_PNP so_AV0 much_AV0 that_DT0 I’ve_NN1 been_VBN back_AVP a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF times_NN2 since_AV0 ,_PUN ”_NP0 Douglas_NP0 Watt_NP0 wrote_VVD in_PRP his_DPS Tables_NN2 for_PRP Two_CRD column_NN1 ._SENT “_NP0 Mr._NP0 Nichols_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 fair_AJ0 youth_NN1 with_PRP an_AT0 alert_AJ0 and_CJC friendly_AJ0 mien_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Miss_NP0 May_VM0 carry_VVI on_PRP little_AJ0 dialogues_NN2 ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT with_PRP something_PNI of_PRF the_AT0 same_DT0 delightful_AJ0 
interplay_NN1 characteristic_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 splendid_AJ0 vaudeville_AJ0 team_NN1 the_AT0 Lunts_NP0 ;_PUN the_AT0 bantering_AJ0 tone_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 repeated_AJ0 phrases_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 artful_AJ0 covering_NN1 of_PRF each_DT0 other’s_NN2 lines_NN2 —_PUN all_DT0 these_DT0 devices_NN2 are_VBB present_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC well-mastered_AJ0 ._SENT ”_NP0 Watt_NP0 raised_VVD a_AT0 skeptical_AJ0 eyebrow_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 improv_AJ0 sketch_NN1 ,_PUN remarking_VVG ,_PUN “_VVB I_PNP suspect_VVB ._SENT ._SENT ._SENT that_CJT they_PNP have_VHB situations_NN2 prepared_VVN for_PRP these_DT0 invited_AJ0 little_AJ0 emergencies_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP still_AV0 couldn’t_AJ0 help_NN1 being_VBG impressed_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 ease_NN1 with_PRP which_DTQ they_PNP slipped_VVD into_PRP and_CJC out_AVP of_PRF them_PNP ._SENT On_PRP one_CRD of_PRF my_DPS visits_NN2 they_PNP took_VVD off_AVP on_PRP Euripides_NP0 (_PUL with_PRP no_AT0 props_NN2 at_PRP all_DT0 )_PUR ,_PUN and_CJC I’m_AV0 sure_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 Greek_AJ0 theatre_NN1 was_VBD never_AV0 more_AV0 fun_AJ0 ._SENT ”_NP0 
