I noticed that one reviewer gave this one a 10. Well, based on my 2, it's obvious that there are some very divergent views on this failed TV pilot. As for me, I thought it was dreadful--tedious and completely unfunny in every way.
This show has a VERY broad sort of plot--in fact, very little plot. The three are house painters and wallpaperers. When they are hired to work on a house, they make a mess of things. There really is no other plot. Now although this may sound VERY familiar for the Three Stooges, there were three fundamental problems. First, as Curly was no longer a member of the group, Shemp is the 'point-man'. He wasn't terrible but was no Curly. Any true Stooge fan would agree that Curly was best. Second, there were no jokes--none. Much of this is because the trio were restricted to a very small set and had very few props--as the budget and size limitations of early TV were severe. Third, the timing and chemistry was off. The boys were fine on film--here they just looked out of place and awkward--and often they missed their cues. As a result of these factors, it's painful to watch and terribly unfunny. I can easily see why this show was shelved and never aired over the air.
By the way, the pilot is an early kinescope--a type of recording system that preserved the images for rebroadcast but, frankly, is pretty ugly. While it's less than ideal, at the time it was about the only way to preserve the footage. You cannot blame the filmmakers for doing this--just make some allowances when you watch. In addition, it was shot in front of a live audience (the norm for 1949)--but this is a problem as there is one person in the audience who seems to laugh very loudly at the least provocation. Again, I don't blame the filmmakers--but it is bothersome.
This show has a VERY broad sort of plot--in fact, very little plot. The three are house painters and wallpaperers. When they are hired to work on a house, they make a mess of things. There really is no other plot. Now although this may sound VERY familiar for the Three Stooges, there were three fundamental problems. First, as Curly was no longer a member of the group, Shemp is the 'point-man'. He wasn't terrible but was no Curly. Any true Stooge fan would agree that Curly was best. Second, there were no jokes--none. Much of this is because the trio were restricted to a very small set and had very few props--as the budget and size limitations of early TV were severe. Third, the timing and chemistry was off. The boys were fine on film--here they just looked out of place and awkward--and often they missed their cues. As a result of these factors, it's painful to watch and terribly unfunny. I can easily see why this show was shelved and never aired over the air.
By the way, the pilot is an early kinescope--a type of recording system that preserved the images for rebroadcast but, frankly, is pretty ugly. While it's less than ideal, at the time it was about the only way to preserve the footage. You cannot blame the filmmakers for doing this--just make some allowances when you watch. In addition, it was shot in front of a live audience (the norm for 1949)--but this is a problem as there is one person in the audience who seems to laugh very loudly at the least provocation. Again, I don't blame the filmmakers--but it is bothersome.