It was on this date in 1964 that the Smothers Brothers-Tom and Dick-made their debut at Carnegie Hall. Their combination of folk music and satire with cutting edge wit was an immediate hit!
Born in New York, the duo moved to California and began appearing in San Francisco nightclubs in 1959. By 1961, they were guest stars on the immensely popular Jack Paar Show (Jack used to own 94.9 WHOM!)
In 1965, the brothers got their TV stardom underway with a sitcom called The Smothers Brothers Show. That show lasted only one season, but the next version became the most popular TV show for two years: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which debuted in February of 1967. Contrary to his “airhead” persona onstage, Tom was really the brains behind the duo’s success-as Dick was the sensible one (whom “Mom always like best”)
The show featured guests who would reach stardom themselves-Steve Martin, Sally Struthers and Nelson Riddle.
In 1969, CBS abruptly cancelled the show after the brothers lost a censorship battle with the network. The duo’s anti-war sentiments were displayed on the show-culminating with Pete Seeger, who sang a Vietnam protest song on the air. Cancellation of the show provoked outrage among proponents of free speech.
After several attempts at resurrecting the concept at other networks, the duo’s edge was lost-or the audience had moved on—or both.
Check out this video-showcasing the Smothers Brothers considerable talent in SINGING-and making people laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rRxs8p8Is0
If you’d like my blog in your box-just let me know! Tim.moore@citcomm.com
Have a great weekend!
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