On the
Ernie Kovacs television show, repeated sketches would feature two or three
cast members in
gorilla masks,
derbies, and
trenchcoats. They would be introduced as the Nairobi trio, and pretend to play instruments in time to a recording of "
Solfeggio," by
Robert Maxwell. They didn't say
anything, but each time they appeared, always with the same
song, they would change slightly the ending of the
sketch. This usually involved one of the gorillas being
hit on the
head with a
marimba mallet or
vase.
Words cannot adequately describe how funny this skit is. The performers' synchronization with the music and the use of masks make these sketches superlative examples of comic timing.