The following was excerpted from Matched Pairs-A History of Post Depression Comedy Teams. Author-Dr. Ron Howery EdD, Bainbridge Publishing, 1986

Al Baker and Doc Huff (nee Al Bertolli and Sheldon Hoffman) were among the last of the ethnic comedians although ethnic comedy was never really their forte. They were the precursor to and inspiration for more modern pairings such as The Smothers Brothers and Burns & Schreiber. Drug culture comedians Cheech & Chong also list themselves as being big fans of the "Tiki Boys", a name Al & Doc were some times booked under. Before drifting into near obscurity they headlined across the country playing before packed houses in the early to mid fifties. They also enjoyed a short-lived radio show and brief film career. They had supporting roles in the otherwise forgettable movie Francis Goes to Hawaii where they portrayed the bumbling owners of the Tiki Hut Saloon. These roles defined their Tiki Boy personae including their trademark Hawaiian Shirts. The film's score also yielded another form of success; a novelty song called KoKoNutZ written by Huff and performed by the duo. The song achieved mild popularity rising to number 59 on the billboard charts. It became a huge hit years later when recorded by former Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and released posthumously ending up in regular rotation on the Dr. Demento Show.

Unlike most comedy teams who were usually separate acts coming together as professionals, Baker & Huff started as buddies who served together in the Pacific during WWII. The story goes that a year or so after their discharge they were at a reunion with some friends at a small club in Paterson, NJ. There was some trouble between the partying veterans and the comedian onstage. Allegedly the entertainer had to be escorted out of the building. Al and Doc took over the stage amusing their friends in the audience where their future agent, Marty Rosen, discovered them. There is an oft repeated but never confirmed tale regarding Rosen. It has been said that he "arranged" for a comedian playing at the famed 500 Club in Atlantic City to be found with a large amount of marijuana on his person thus opening a spot on the bill for new charges Baker and Huff. Although relegated to the status of legend, given Rosen's connection to elements of organized crime, this tale should not be completely discounted.