Some comedy acts fade with time. Others, like The Three Stooges, become immortal. In this laughter-filled episode, Pat welcomes fellow Stooges enthusiast Ryan Harris for a fascinating journey through the remarkable history of Moe, Larry, Curly, and the entire Stooge ensemble.

The conversation reveals surprising details about the Howard brothers' Brooklyn upbringing near Coney Island, where they first began performing impromptu comedy routines on the beach. Ryan shares the true origin of Shemp's unusual nickname (his Lithuanian mother's accent when calling "Sam!") and details their contentious split from vaudeville performer Ted Healy, who once threatened to bomb theaters where they performed independently.

Behind the eye-pokes and slaps lies a fascinating technical reality – the Stooges weren't actually hurting each other. Moe aimed for brow bones rather than eyes, props were rubber, and those iconic sound effects came from a newfangled "Foley board." Meanwhile, off-camera, Moe was quietly building a real estate empire across Hollywood while managing finances for his less fiscally responsible colleagues.

The episode explores the Stooges' evolution through various lineup changes after Curly's stroke in 1946, their transition from theatrical shorts to television (which cemented their legacy by bringing them into millions of homes), and the vital contributions of supporting players like Vernon Dent and Christine McIntyre.

This deep-dive conversation isn't just about slaps and nyuk-nyuks – it's about how three brothers from Brooklyn created a comedy institution that has outlasted virtually all their contemporaries, continuing to generate laughter more than a century after they first stepped on stage. Whether you're a lifelong fan or curious newcomer, you'll gain a new appreciation for comedy's most enduring trio.

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