I always laugh 'ti I cry - I've listened to this for decades.

This was on a tape my grandfather made for me ages and ages ago along with a bunch of Spike Jones and Allan Sherman songs. That tape was a huge part of my childhood memories.

"Uma meet Oprah, Oprah Uma... Uma Oprah..." lol

Both Bancroft and Baranski did the story justice. For me, one of the funniest ever.

Not about comparisons. Baransky does the Meehan text closer to how it was written, Bancroft and her writers edited it for a time frame skit for TV. I think they are both charming.

I just read about this in Mel Brooks' book. Thanks for posting it!

Can't imagine this better. Just delightfully Baranski!

I actually have the two cassette set with this and three other readings by three other readers, at Symphony Space in the early nineties I think. I laughed so hard and made sure I wrote down the number and the address to order the tapes. Tapes, can you imagine...

I love this. I've heard it at least three times, and I'm always having gut busting laughs.

This. Is. Fantastic.

by far my favorite rendering of this brilliant New Yorker story ...Ann Bancroft's version is laudable, but leaves out a few of the best lines

Thanks again! The original story can be found on the Internet Archive. Look for "yma dream". "Onomatopoeia" and the pronuncation of "7-up" aren't in it. I wonder where they came from.

I recall watching Anne Bancroft do this in her 1969 TV special, "Annie: The Women in the Life of a Man". Thought it was one of the wittiest things I'd ever seen and have been looking for it since. Had no idea Baranski also did it. Just as funny live -- and the audience reaction adds to the hilarity.

Oh, and congrats to the new Babcia. Some Babcia! ;-)

Wipe the glögg off the rögg. Killed me.

She is amazing

The onomatopoeia killed me...

This is a a recording of Baranski's performance of the original text which she read for "Selected Shorts" ( selectedshorts dot 0 rg ) Their archives are not readily available, as far as I can see, but this particular one can be purchased as part of a collection and individually.

so much yes!!

Anne Bancroft performed an abbreviated portion of it as a skit. This is a reading of the short story.

Brilliant!

Liked Baranski's reading better than Bsancroft skit version. Her diction was superior and can't believe that Bancroft's version edited out Anna Mata Pia which was the best line in the story.

Strange how so many who comment seem to have need to make comparisons. Which is better, this version or Anne Bancroft's? Everything always has to be a competition. So American. So tedious. Bancroft’s is the earlier version and is abridged. Baranski’s is the original version. Both are terrific performances of a very clever script.

Anyone know where I can get the full text of Meehan’s story?

Ms Bancroft brings a level of panache (and madness!) lacking in this version

I like the Bancroft but her version skips the onomatopoeia which slays.

Sorry i DONT get it at all ! Ive watched both versions twice and all 4 times left me shaking my head?

This is good but Anne Bancroft did it better

is this considered funny because its difficult to to say quickly?

I like Baranski. But this falls very short of the original with Anne Bancroft. Her acting & timing are all off.

The I Play Pokemon Go song is better than this

Not NEARLY as good as the Anne Bancroft performance of it.

not nearly as well delivered as Ann Bancroft's Original!