Unmistakenly memorable was comic Joe Besser's portrayal of "Stinky" on The Abbott and Costello Show. His role as the mischievous and bratty character provided a unique dynamic to the show, contrasting well with the established nonsense and insanity of the comedy duo of Abbott and Costello. Besser's "Stinky," with his Buster Brown outfit and childlike antics, was a standout in the series' first season.

The inspiration for Stinky came from Besser’s earlier performance on The Alan Young Show. The success of that character led to his casting on The Abbott and Costello Show by his closest friend, Lou Costello, who saw a place for the character in their upcoming series. Joe's performances, though only appearing in 12 of the 26 episodes of the first season, contributed significantly to the show's craziness and success and were downright hilarious.

Want to know more about Joe's role as Stinky? It's contained in his updated and enlarged autobiography, Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge, which offers a comprehensive look at his life and every facet of his career, including his time on The Abbott and Costello Show. It's now available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, audiobook and e-book formats.