...nothing''

https://www.metv.com/stories/dan-blocker-said-that-originally-hoss-cartwright-was-a-big-nothing

"He was written in for comedic relief," said Blocker.

In the first episode Hoss was a little goofy but by the 3rd episode of the series the audience sees the depth of the character of Hoss as he protects & falls in love with a woman and she falls in love with him & then he loses her.