Posted on 12/27/2023 12:56:37 PM PST by 11th_VA
He and his brother, Dick, "turned television upside down" on 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' before they were canned.
Tom Smothers, the countercultural comedy icon admired for the 1960s variety program he created and hosted with his younger brother, Dick, and for the tenacity he displayed in frequent clashes with CBS censors, has died. He was 86.
Smothers died peacefully Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother said in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by a spokesperson for the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after 72 episodes (and with their show in the top 10 and already renewed for a fourth season). Up against NBC powerhouse Bonanza at 9 p.m. on Sunday nights, their program succeeded by attracting younger, hipper, more rebellious viewers — while also launching the careers of Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Bob Einstein, Mason Williams and many others…
(Excerpt) Read more at news.google.com ...
Nationally ranked yo-yo champion.
Musically they were talented as well. Growing up our entire family loved watching them. Tommy had a real gift for comedy.
AS do I, a lifetime ago.
It’s amazing how most of US stars and entertainers just pulled the company line, and said nothing, while our boys were dying in a most stupid MIC war in Vietnam.
I do not forgive them for that.
Their big controversial opinion was that the stupidest and most pointless war in US history was stupid and pointless.
RIP Tommy
Perhaps, but not being much more than comedians, they failed to properly communicate and blame the government and as such contributed to the poor treatment of returning soldiers.
Communist flags will be lowered to half-staff in his honor.
CC
Those who did speak out weren’t treated well. Same as the Iraq war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_MjCqQoLLA
The video was first broadcast on David Frost’s Frost On Sunday show, four days after it was filmed. At that point transmission was in black and white although the promo was originally shot in colour. It was first aired in America a month later on 6 October 1968, on The Smotheres Brothers Comedy Hour.
Maybe
Thanks for the link. I’ve passed it on.
Yep, it’s a prerecorded backing track but everything Glen Campbell is doing is live — the vocal and the iconic 6 string bass solo.
Except the Smothers Brothers were funny and talented.
We would often visit my paternal grandparents on Sunday nights in the mid/late 60s. Ed Sullivan followed by The Smothers Brothers was normal fare. I think we all enjoyed it and they were very conservative as was my father.
I also remember FBI. Not sure if that was on the same time period or not.
The Who - My Generation on The Smothers Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSKu7SbGNQ
Keith Moon planted firecrackers in his drumkit to go off at the end, Pete Townshend claims it was largely responsible for the damage to his hearing.
Their dad was killed when the Japanese POW ship was torpedoed by US sub.
Yo-Yo man will be missed.
That was right before the start of "The Rural Purge".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.