According to CNN, comedian Tom Smothers, who performed as the singing comedy duo the Smothers Brothers with his brother, passed away. He was eighty-six. Tom’s younger brother and business partner, Dick Smothers, claimed that his brother passed away at home from cancer. Dick Smothers said in a statement, “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life; he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner.” “I am eternally thankful for having shared a lifetime with him for more than 60 years, both on and off stage. The longer we were together, the more we loved and respected each other, just like in a healthy marriage. We were extremely fortunate.”
With their biting, sardonic comedy on their CBS variety show “The Smothers Twins Comedy Hour,” which ran from 1967 to 1969, the folk-singing brothers made history. When the show offended the network with its political criticisms, defence of civil rights, and opposition to the Vietnam War, CBS was known for taking it off the air. Born in 1937, Smothers was a year older than his brother Dick. The two grew up in California and later attended San Jose State University, where Smothers got his acting start. Last year, Tom Smothers told CBS News that he and his brother initially didn’t think of themselves as stand-up comedians. He clarified, “We considered ourselves to be folk singers.”
‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ became popular after the band made their TV debut with their music. “It was just the biggest thrill; it was unbelievable!” CBS News was told by Dick Smothers. Though the brothers took free speech seriously, they often laughed during their comic hour about the backlash they faced for being so open. “The right for us not to allow even to give our viewpoints to other people who are interested in hearing them is contrary, I think, to the principle of our country and to the principle that makes the world go round,” Tom Smothers once stated on their television programme.
Dick Smothers stated, “The times were changing so quickly in the sixties and we didn’t change them,” while making an appearance on CNN’s documentary series “The Sixties”. His brother continued, “We just reflected ’em.” William Paley, the president and CEO of CBS, announced the cancellation of the show as well, citing their incapacity to meet episode delivery deadlines. The brothers were able to prove they had not broken their contract by successfully suing the network. The programme was never rerun, though. Author David Bianculli of “Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” stated in a 2010 interview with CNN that although the show was seen as controversial at the time, it was actually rather mild in retrospect given the family-friendly atmosphere of the time.
According to Bianculli, “there was nothing serious on TV during prime time.” “And the Smothers Brothers were attempting to discuss the war, the president’s policies, sex, drugs, and rock & roll on a variety show. For a younger generation, it was simply the only source of information of that kind.” Tom Smothers “was the one who fought most of the battles,” according to Bianculli, and he backed this up in “The Sixties.” “They said that the social subjects we touched on were not appropriate for the 9 o’clock family viewing hour,” said Dick Smothers. “They came up with any excuse to make it difficult.” Tom Smothers continued, “And I came up with any excuse to push it.”
According to CNN, the pair declared last year that they would go back on tour in 2023. The family has announced that Smothers will have a private memorial service in 2024.
