The Filmography : TV Guest Appearances

Click on any show name to either show or hide the entry's synopsis and footnotes.

Show/Film	Station/Studio	Air Date/Released	Host/Star	Stooges
BIG WORLD OF CHRISTOPHER WELLS, THE		0000-00-00		Joe Besser (Solo)
Unsold pilot episode. Mentioned in Joe Besser's autobiography; no plot, production date, cast, etc., information available.
HOUR GLASS	NBC	1946-05-09	Evelyn Eaton	Joe Besser (Solo)
Television's first live variety show. Joe Besser performs his classic "Army Drill" routine with stage partner Jimmy Little. Other performances include a comedy monologue by Doodles Weaver, a dramatic scene with Paul Douglas and James Monks from the Broadway play MOONSHINE, songs by Evelyn Knight and dances by Enrica & Novella. Cast: Evelyn Eaton (MC), Joe Besser, Doodles Weaver, Paul Douglas, James Monks, Evelyn Knight, Enrica & Novella Crew: Ed Sobel (Director), Howard Reilly (Producer)
TEXACO STAR THEATER, THE	NBC	1948-10-19	Milton Berle	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Milton Berle's legendary comedy-variety show, so popular with audiences it earned Berle the nickname of "Mr. Television." In its earlier seasons it was a Tuesday night institution, and one of its trademark gags was Milton coming on stage in drag; each week, America wondered what Milton will wear this week. The Three Stooges' first television appearance. According to The Three Stooges Scrapbook by Jeff & Greg Lenburg and Joan Howard Maurer, "neither a [surviving] kinescope of the show nor a script are available for review." Cast: Milton Berle (Host), Sid Stone (Announcer), Fatso Marco, Alan Roth (Bandleader) Guests: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard
MOREY AMSTERDAM SHOW, THE	CBS	1948-12-31	Morey Amsterdam	Moe, Larry and Shemp
The Three Stooges guest star on this 2-hour New Year's Eve special, an expanded episode of Morey Amsterdam's weekly half-hour variety/comedy series. Morey Amsterdam plays the emcee of Times Square's fictional Golden Goose Cafe nightclub. Also starring Art Carney (Charlie the Doorman), Jacqueline Susann (Lola the cigarette girl) and Johnny Guarnieri (Bandleader). Guests: The Three Stooges, Dorothy Collins, Carole Coleman, Danny Daniels, Larry Douglas and The Tally Beatty Dancers. Kingman T. Moore (Director), Irving Mansfield (Producer)
HOLLYWOOD HOUSE	ABC	1949-12-02	Jim Backus	Joe Besser (Solo)
Joe Besser guest stars in this episode of a 1/2-hour variety show based in the ficticious Hollywood House Hotel, featuring the comings and goings of its performing guests. Cast: Jim Backus (Hotel manager), Gale Robbins, Dick Wesson. Guest stars: Joe Besser (Irate hotel guest), Connie Haines, The Paul Cavanaugh Trio.
PRIVATE EYES, THE	Unaired	1950-03-01		Joe Besser (Solo)
Unsold television pilot. Joe Besser and Sheldon Leonard star as bumbling private eyes investigating a murder in a haunted house. Eddie Nassour (Producer), Jimmy Brown (Screenplay)
CAMEL COMEDY CARAVAN (THE ED WYNN SHOW)	CBS	1950-03-11	Ed Wynn	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Wynn's 1/2-hour show, sponsored by Camel cigarettes, was the first live Los Angeles-based variety show. For this episode, the Stooges portray CBS executives, who demand that Wynn cut costs and completely overhaul his show. The Stooges appeared on the program as Mr. C (Moe), Mr. B (Larry) and Mr. S (Shemp). They succeed in disrupting the program throughout its entire broadcast, concluding with the Stooges singing "When You Wore a Tulip," while Wynn attempts to brain them with stage sand bags. Other guests include Helen Forrest, who sang "Shimmy Like My Sister Kate," and William Frawley (best known as Fred Mertz on TV's I LOVE LUCY) who joins Ed for a comedy sketch promoting Camel cigarettes. Ralph Levy (Director), Harlan Thompson (Producer), Hal Kanter, Leo Solomon, Seaman Jacobs (Writers), Bud Gluskin (Orchestra), Bob Lamond (Announcer)
DAMON RUNYON MEMORIAL FUND	NBC	1950-04-29	Milton Berle	Moe, Larry and Shemp
This program was a telethon to benefit the American Cancer Society. Hosted by Milton Berle. After appearing on the telethon with the Stooges, host Milton Berle invited them to appear on his weekly program, THE TEXACO STAR THEATER, airing on May 2, 1950.
TEXACO STAR THEATER, THE	NBC	1950-05-02	Milton Berle	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Milton Berle's legendary comedy-variety show, so popular with audiences it earned Berle the nickname of "Mr. Television." In its earlier seasons it was a Tuesday night institution, one of its trademark gags was Milton coming on stage in drag; each week, America wondered what Milton will wear this week. The Stooges appear throughout the broadcast, engaging in their classic "three watches" routine with Berle. The boys also do a Foreign Legion sketch, with Robert Alda as their commanding officer. Cast: Milton Berle (Host), Sid Stone (Announcer), Fatso Marco, Alan Roth (Bandleader) Guests: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Robert Alda, The Lee Sheldon Dancers, Victoria Troupe, Rose Marie, Morton Downey
ALAN YOUNG SHOW, THE	CBS	1950-05-16	Alan Young	Joe Besser (Solo)
Alan Young's Emmy-winning one-hour comedy and music variety series. Joe Besser guest stars with Martha Tilton. Alan Young (Host), Martha Tilton, Joe Besser Ralph Levy (Producer), Ralph Norman (Director), Leo Soloman, David R. Schwartz (Writers), Lud Gluskin (Music)
KEN MURRAY SHOW, THE	CBS	1950-10-07	Ken Murray	Joe Besser (Solo)
Joe Besser costars in Ken Murray's New York variety series. Regular Cast: Ken Murray, Joe Besser, Darla Hood, The Enchanters, Jack Mulhall, Tony Labriola, Betty Lou Walters, Laurie Anders, Joe Wong, Art Lund, Anita Gordon Guests: Anne Shelton, Herbert Marshall, Alan Young, Phil Regan
TEXACO STAR THEATER, THE	NBC	1950-10-10	Milton Berle	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Milton Berle's legendary comedy-variety show, so popular with audiences it earned Berle the nickname of "Mr. Television." In its earlier seasons it was a Tuesday night institution, one of its trademark gags was Milton coming on stage in drag; each week, America wondered what Milton will wear this week. This appearence on Berle's variety program marked the third time the Stooges worked with Milton on TV. The Stooges perform the "Maharaja" routine. By all accounts, Shemp's performance was just as convincing as that of his younger brother Curly in TIME OUT FOR RHYTHM (1941) and THREE LITTLE PIRATES (1946). Cast: Milton Berle (Host), Sid Stone (Announcer), Fatso Marco, Alan Roth (Bandleader) Guests: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Bert Gordon, The Weavers, Alice Pearce, Yogi Berra, Evelyn Knight, Walter Winchell and George Price
KATE SMITH HOUR, THE	NBC	1950-10-13	Kate Smith	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Kate Smith's series was a live, weekly, variety program that featured Broadway and Hollywood stars in musical numbers and comedy sketches.
KEN MURRAY SHOW, THE	CBS	1950-10-14	Ken Murray	Joe Besser (Solo)
Joe Besser costars in Ken Murray's live, New York variety series. Joe performs his classic "Army Drill" routine with stage partner Jimmy Little, and demonstrates his skill as a "poet" to Ken. Mel Torme sings, does imitations, and performs a duet with Darla Hood. Van Heflin narrates a dramatic play about our American heritage. And The Enchanters, Darla Hood and Tip Tap Toe perform a World War I musical production number. Regulars: Ken Murray (Host and star), Nelson Case (Announcer), Darla Hood, The Enchanters, Joe Wong, Jack Mulhall, Tony Labriola Guests: Jimmy Little, Mel Torme, Van Heflin, Tip Tap Toe Ken Murray (Producer), Ben Brady (Assoc. Producer), Herbert Sussman (Director)
KEN MURRAY SHOW, THE	CBS	1950-10-21	Ken Murray	Joe Besser (Solo)
Joe Besser costars in Ken Murray's live, New York variety series. Regular Cast: Ken Murray, Joe Besser, Darla Hood, The Enchanters, Jack Mulhall, Tony Labriola, Betty Lou Walters, Laurie Anders, Joe Wong, Art Lund, Anita Gordon Guests: Bob Burns, Tito Guizar
KEN MURRAY SHOW, THE	CBS	1950-11-04	Ken Murray	Joe Besser (Solo)
Joe Besser costars in Ken Murray's live, New York variety series. Cast: Ken Murray, Joe Besser, Darla Hood, The Enchanters, Jack Mulhall, Tony Labriola, Betty Lou Walters, Laurie Anders, Joe Wong, Art Lund, Anita Gordon Guests: Margaret O'Brien, George M. Cohan Jr.
TV CLUB	ABC	1951-01-24	Don McNeill	Joe DeRita (Solo)
Chicago-based morning radio host Don McNeill attempted his show in a weekly, network primetime format. It lasted only one season. Host McNeill performs a political monologue, interviews a talking dog, recites poetry, talks with a 12-year-old audience member, pitches for The March of Dimes with a former patient who went on to become Miss Minnesota of 1943 and mother, and interviews Ms. Blondell. Also, songs by Patsy Lee and Johnny Desmond, a musical puppet show, and comedy by Sam Cowling. Joan Blondell plays a diner waitress in a skit with customer Joe DeRita, and Joe performs a solo comedy bit. The entire cast performs a finale of Lullaby of Broadway and 42nd Street. Don McNeill (Host), Bob Murphy (Announcer), Johnny Desmond, Patsy Lee, Sam Cowling, Eddie Ballantine and His Orchestra (Regulars), Joan Blondell, Joe DeRita Jerry Morrison (Producer), Grover J. Allen (Director), Cliff Peterson (Writer)
STAR OF THE FAMILY	CBS	1951-05-18	Morton Downey	Moe, Larry and Shemp
Variety show which interviewed people related to famous celebrities, without divulging who the celebrity was. After a period of time, the celebrity was brought out and entertained the audience. Host: Morton Downey Guests: The Three Stooges, Margaret Phelan, The Weidler Brothers Crew: Norman Frank (Producer), Carl Hoff (Orchestra)
FRONT PAGE DETECTIVE - The Little Black Book	Dumont	1951-09-01		Joe Besser (Solo)
Edmund Lowe stars as David Chase, an NYC newspaper columnist specializing in crime reporting. Joe Besser guest stars as the desk manager of Chase's apartment building in this episode. David Chase finds bookie Joe Blake dead in his apartment, and caught between two gangsters searching for a black book, the content of which will determine ownership of the east coast gambling rackets. Cast: Edmund Lowe (David Chase), Pamela Duncan (Dorabelle Hensen), George Pembroke (Lt. George Andrews), James Craven (Baxter), Eddie Foster (Keely), Dick Rich (Knuckles Malone), Joe Besser (Hubert), Jean Willes (Josephine Baxter) Crew: William Wolf (Screenplay)
ALAN YOUNG SHOW, THE	CBS	1951-11-22	Alan Young	Joe Besser (Solo)
Alan Young's Emmy-winning 1-hour comedy/variety series. Alan Young and Joe Besser perform a sketch as two 4-year old brats dressed in Buster Brown outfits, amongst oversized props. Besser's friend, Lou Costello, was so impressed by this that he hired Joe to portray the character on THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW... making this ALAN YOUNG episode the origin of Joe's classic "Stinky" character. Alan Young (Host), Joe Besser, Connee Boswell Ralph Levy (Producer), Ralph Norman (Director), Leo Soloman, David R. Schwartz (Writers), Lud Gluskin (Music)

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