Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tom Smothers, Comedian, Musician and Scourge of CBS Censors, Dies at 86
https://news.google.com ^

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 ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: hh2; tommysmothers; tomsmothers; tomsmothersobit
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 next last
Funny guy - will miss him
1 posted on 12/27/2023 12:56:37 PM PST by 11th_VA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Did they have a brother named Harry? These guys knew how to make you laugh.


2 posted on 12/27/2023 12:59:28 PM PST by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tom-smothers-dead-smothers-brothers-comedy-duo-1235775301/


3 posted on 12/27/2023 1:01:59 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA
I remember watching the Smother Brother's Comedy Hour when I was a kid.

RIP Tom.


4 posted on 12/27/2023 1:02:07 PM PST by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Tommy Smothers had a unique style of humor that I enjoyed very much. RIP Tommy.


5 posted on 12/27/2023 1:04:44 PM PST by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA
their program succeeded by attracting younger, hipper, more rebellious viewers

They were among the first Leftist entertainers spewing opinion on TV.

6 posted on 12/27/2023 1:05:27 PM PST by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Smothers Brothers introducing a fantastic performance by Glen Campbell of “Wichita Lineman” back in 1968:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g310GZiNrgY


7 posted on 12/27/2023 1:06:00 PM PST by Yardstick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yardstick

A live performance, don’t see that much anymore.


8 posted on 12/27/2023 1:08:53 PM PST by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

I saw their act live in San Diego around 1985. Tommy was such a natural comedian. R.I.P.


9 posted on 12/27/2023 1:11:14 PM PST by irishjuggler (I)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

He did a killer Johnny Carson, too.


10 posted on 12/27/2023 1:14:06 PM PST by Quentin Quarantino
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Quentin Quarantino

Tommy Smothers dead-on imitation of Johnny Carson - Feb 20, 1992

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oghxf-HS6go


11 posted on 12/27/2023 1:15:49 PM PST by newfreep ("There is no race problem...just a problem race")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

Hated his politics but respected his talent.
Always thought he was the younger of the two…


12 posted on 12/27/2023 1:16:09 PM PST by Skywise
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON

Nice picture. However, Dick reminds me a little of Alfred E. Neuman in that picture.


13 posted on 12/27/2023 1:22:21 PM PST by ChessExpert (Required for informed consent: "We have a new, experimental vaccine.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: 1Old Pro
They were among the first Leftist entertainers spewing opinion on TV.

That’s why CBS canceled them

14 posted on 12/27/2023 1:22:53 PM PST by 11th_VA (<>< Good News: Barbarians at not at the gate; Bad News: They’re in the city)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA
That’s why CBS canceled them

Funny how things change, now they would be prime time 5 nights a week.

15 posted on 12/27/2023 1:24:19 PM PST by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

I remember the Smothers brothers. I don’t remember them being controversial and by todays standards their comedy would be considered mild by comparison.


16 posted on 12/27/2023 1:24:46 PM PST by jimwatx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

We weren’t allowed to watch that show - back in those days there was one TV and we watched whatever the grown-ups wanted.

The times I did manage to sneak a few episodes, I loved it.

RIP


17 posted on 12/27/2023 1:25:24 PM PST by P.O.E. (Pray for America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA; lightman

Memory Eternal!


18 posted on 12/27/2023 1:26:16 PM PST by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 11th_VA

I remember in 1968 when the Beatles played “Hey Jude” live on their show.

It was pretty cool.


19 posted on 12/27/2023 1:27:19 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (The worst thing about censorship is █████ ██ ████ ████████ █ ███████ ████. FJB.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimwatx

I never thought they were that funny. My mother liked the show.


20 posted on 12/27/2023 1:28:30 PM PST by Reily (!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson