Editor’s note: No eyes were poked, no one was slapped and nobody’s head got stuck in a vise during this interview.
This Thursday, June 5, a local journalist, morning newsletter wrangler and unapologetic Moe Howard superfan returns to the Mirowitz Center for the third installment of his non-award-winning quarterly series on Jewish humor, “Why is Jewish Humor So Darn Funny?”
This time, the spotlight (and possibly a cream pie) is directed at the most outrageous trio in comedy history—the Three Stooges—courtesy of their longtime fan, Jordan Palmer.
To understand why he calls the Stooges “one of the prides of Jewish comedy,” I sat down with the only person willing to talk about it— me.
The following is an unedited interview with myself.
Jewish Light: So, why the Three Stooges—and why now?
Jordan Palmer: Let me begin by saying you’re very handsome man.
Jewish Light: Thank you, but let’s stay on topic. Why the Stooges?
Jordan Palmer: Oh, it’s very personal. The Stooges are my first memory of Jewish comedy. My introduction came when a neighbor told me her uncle, Joe Besser, had been in the group. That got me curious. Then, sometime around 1978 or ’79, I learned they were all Jewish. That sealed it. I was hooked. I joined the actual “Three Stooges” fan club and I spent Saturday nights recording them on Betamax off KPLR. I even bought a biography written by Moe Howard’s son-in-law. Still have it.
Jewish Light: Some might say the Stooges were just doing slapstick, not Jewish comedy. What’s your rebuttal?
Jordan Palmer: I’m a believer. You can’t just throw in Yiddish lines and parody Hitler and not claim your Jewish comedy card. The Stooges did both. But the thing that makes them a shining beacon of Jewish comedy is that not everyone liked them—or got them. Even their own mother didn’t understand the appeal. There’s this story where Moe, Curly and Shemp’s mother went to see one of their early films in a theater. She saw Ted Healy beating on her sons and started waving her umbrella at the screen, cursing in Yiddish. I mean, that’s Jewish comedy gold right there.
Jewish Light: What do you hope your audience takes away from this session?
Jordan Palmer: I want people to see the genius behind the eye pokes. To understand how Jewish the Stooges really were—and how deep their St. Louis connections go. And mostly, I want them to laugh. Loudly. At them, not me.
Jewish Light: Do you think you can pull it off?
Jordan Palmer: Why “Sointenly!”
Why is Jewish Humor So Darn Funny? The Three Stooges Edition
Thursday, June 5 | 1 p.m.
Mirowitz Center, 8 Millstone
️Free and open to the public, but registration required.
