Three Stooges references in TV shows

[Stanislav]

Love them or hate them, the Three Stooges (individually or collectively) have often been mentioned in TV shows, especially as sitcom punchlines.

A good example is the episode of M*A*S*H in which Charles reluctantly plays host and tour guide to three local Korean doctors. Disdaining their "primitive" methods, he refers to them as "Larry, Moe and Curly," claiming that those are the names of three eminent American philosophers. (Of course, Charles receives his comeuppance when, after having his back pain relieved with acupuncture, one of the Koreans slyly remarks, "Not bad for three stooges, eh?")

What are some other Stooges references you recall? I'll start the ball rolling with one of my favorites. In an episode of Night Court, Bull is contemplating purchasing a toupee. After he balks at some of the expensive models in the catalog (including the "Shatner Turbo 2000"), the salesman points to another page and says, "Well...here's one of our economy models: the 'Shemp.'" ;D

 

[Toledo Eleven]

I can think of a few, one was In the Halloween episode of The Pretender where Jarod pretended to be Dr. Howard, a University anatomy professor, while working with Dr. Fein, the head of the department. A student called to them, "Dr. Howard, Dr. Fein, Dr. Howard!" and in a Cheers episode Sam is relieved to know he has an interest other than sex, which is The Three Stooges and I just recently saw a Home Improvement episode (again, a Halloween show) in which Tim's three sons all dress as their favorite Stooge, Moe.

 

[Corky Marlowe]

Don't know if this was on "Seinfeld" or just Jerry's standup, but he once observed that the referee in pro wrestling was like Larry in the Three Stooges...You don't really need him, but it's just not the same without him. (I read it in the book "Seinlanguage", which was culled from his standup, but it might have been on the show, too.)

 

[Ultimajock]

...there was a Bob Newhart Show on which Bob conversed with someone in his living room while watching something called Celebrity Soccer on TV, with The Three Stooges allegedly competing on one squad...

 

[Stanislav]

...there was a Bob Newhart Show on which Bob conversed with someone in his living room while watching something called Celebrity Soccer on TV, with The Three Stooges allegedly competing on one squad...

IIRC, the line was something like, "Gee...who would have thought that The Three Stooges were so nimble on their feet?"

An interesting line (almost in borderline poor taste in retrospect), given as at the time of the episode, Moe and Larry were in their 70's (Larry in a nursing home after suffering the first of his debilitating strokes), and Curly-Joe was in his 60's, weighed about 350, and was battling diabetes. By the end of the show's run a couple of years later, both Moe and Larry would be dead.

 

[bk77]

An interesting line (almost in borderline poor taste in retrospect), given as at the time of the episode, Moe and Larry were in their 70's (Larry in a nursing home after suffering the first of his debilitating strokes), and Curly-Joe was in his 60's, weighed about 350, and was battling diabetes. By the end of the show's run a couple of years later, both Moe and Larry would be dead.

Larry Fine and Moe Howard died within FIVE months of each other in 1975 ( Larry in January and Moe in May ). For some reason I seem to remember Larry's death getting more TV coverage than Moe's but its been so long ago.

The Flintstones made a Stooge reference in the 60's in the episode where Pebbles and Bam Bam were running for the most beautiful baby in Bedrock. in the 80's The Facts of Life had their own Stooge reference in their own right when Natalie was shown holding Moe Howard's bio in her hands. Been years since I had seen that episode so I am not sure the connection other than maybe Natalie was planning on doing a book report on the Stooges.

 

[Stanislav]

An interesting line (almost in borderline poor taste in retrospect), given as at the time of the episode, Moe and Larry were in their 70's (Larry in a nursing home after suffering the first of his debilitating strokes), and Curly-Joe was in his 60's, weighed about 350, and was battling diabetes. By the end of the show's run a couple of years later, both Moe and Larry would be dead.

Larry Fine and Moe Howard died within FIVE months of each other in 1975 ( Larry in January and Moe in May ). For some reason I seem to remember Larry's death getting more TV coverage than Moe's but its been so long ago.

I've no time to look it up at the moment, but I kind of recall that Moe's death may have been overshadowed by another celebrity death that occurred on the same day (or just before).

The Facts of Life had their own Stooge reference in their own right when Natalie was shown holding Moe Howard's bio in her hands. Been years since I had seen that episode so I am not sure the connection other than maybe Natalie was planning on doing a book report on the Stooges.

Assuming that would be "Moe Howard and the Three Stooges," published in 1977, with its big garish yellow cover. Maybe someone on the show's staff (or maybe even Mindy Cohn herself) was a Stooges fan, and the book was used as a prop as sort of an "in-joke."

 

[Preacherdude]

Seinfeld had at least two Stooges references. When Jerry was seeing the attractive, European next-door neighbor, he said he would run "like the stooges." There was further banter about taking her to the stooges.

On another episode George was complaining about his blind date being bald, saying no one goes to the hairdresser and asks for "the Larry Fine." It always struck me how they let it slide in editing that Larry Fine was not the bald one.

 

[wbhist]

On another episode George was complaining about his blind date being bald, saying no one goes to the hairdresser and asks for "the Larry Fine." It always struck me how they let it slide in editing that Larry Fine was not the bald one.

Ah, but Larry was - if only on the top (he had plenty hair on the sides).

 

[Kurt Toy]

On one episode of Diff'rent Strokes, Lisa, Arnold's nemesis-played by Nikki Swasey, refered to Arnold and a couple of his friends as "Moe, Larry and Stupid-probably referring to Arnold.

 

[hubcity]

Seinfeld had at least two Stooges references. When Jerry was seeing the attractive, European next-door neighbor, he said he would run "like the stooges." There was further banter about taking her to the stooges.

On another episode George was complaining about his blind date being bald, saying no one goes to the hairdresser and asks for "the Larry Fine." It always struck me how they let it slide in editing that Larry Fine was not the bald one.

In "The Statue" (Season 2, Episode 10) George and Kramer scuffle over a statue Kramer finds in a box of Jerry's grandfather's belongings, until Jerry gets between them, saying "Alright, break it up, you knuckleheads..."

 

[71dude]

All in the Family - Mike and Archie argue about the Stooges:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrLCOrKbzDA

 

[nightfly61]

This is swaying the topic a bit but all I can think of is when the cartoon version of the 3 Stooges appeared on Scooby Doo

While still in Northeast Ohio "Hoolahan & Big Chuck" ran a skit with the song "The Curly Shuffle" by the "Jump In The Saddle Band. Talk about a "Where Are They Now" moment!