Tom Smothers, who along with his younger brother Dick changed the face of comedy with his musical humor Smothers Brothers Comedy HourHe died Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer. The news was announced by the National Comedy Center on behalf of Smothers’ family. He was 86.
Tom and Dick Smothers started as folk musicians in the early 1960s and soon realized that mixing comedy into the mix made the group work, even though they weren’t good enough to become professional musicians.
Dick Smothers said in a statement: “Not only was Tom the loving older brother anyone would want in their life, he was also a unique creative partner.” I am eternally grateful for more than 60 years of life spent with him. and off the stage. Our relationship was like a good marriage: the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected each other. We were truly blessed.”
The older brother was a regular customer The Steve Allen Show in 1961. The following year he appeared on Die Danny Thomas show.
The duo landed in 1965 The Smothers Brothers ShowA CBS sitcom that ran from 1965 to 1966. Tom felt that the show was not capitalizing on the brothers’ strengths and wanted creative control over their next project.
He made it with her next CBS project, Smothers Brothers Comedy Hourin 1967. Although in the spirit of the traditional variety show, Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Change television.
Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, said in a statement: “Tom was a true pioneer who changed the face of television and our culture.” Smothers Brothers Comedy Hourwho criticized politics, fought racism, protested the war in Vietnam and took leadership Saturday Night Live, The Daily Showtoday’s late night shows and much more.”
It wasn’t just about the content. The show was a proving ground for other legendary writers and artists. The selection consisted of Hal Goldman and Al Gordon (of The Jack Benny Show), Jim Stafford, Steve Martin, Don Novello, Rob Reiner, Lorenzo Music, perennial presidential candidate Pat Paulsen, Nell Scovell, Bob Einstein, Leigh French and pop singer Jennifer Warnes.
The series featured new musicians such as George Harrison, Joan Baez, Buffalo Springfield, Cass Elliot, Harry Belafonte, Cream, the Who, Donovan, the Doors, Janis Ian, Yank Barry, Jefferson Airplane, Peter, Paul and Mary, Spanky and Our . Gang , Steppenwolf, Simon and Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Hello People and Pete Seeger, despite the sometimes controversial nature of their music.
The brothers often had to contend with network censors. For the 1968–69 season, the station required programs to be delivered ten days before the broadcast date so that they could be reviewed and edited by the censors. It didn’t last long. In the season premiere, CBS cut to Belafonte’s singing “Lord, Don’t Stop the Carnival” against the backdrop of the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
In 1969, the station aired a repeat instead of showing a segment in which Baez paid tribute to her husband, who went to prison rather than live up to the draft.
CEO and President William S. Paley abruptly canceled the show in April 1969. The brothers later sued and after a four-year lawsuit, CBS was ordered to pay $776,300.
The duo returned to television several times: with a 60 Minutes special, The return of the Smothers Brothers. in 1970; The Smothers Brothers Show in 1975; and then inside Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour 1988-1989.
In 2008, the elder Smothers received a special Emmy, a one-time award Suffocate brothers Author Steve Martin. The Smothers Brothers were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2010.
Dick and his wife Marie have asked that memorial donations be made in Tom’s honor to the National Comedy Center, the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy and the preservation and presentation of the career and legacy of the Smothers Brothers.
Smothers is survived by Dick, his children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, his grandson Phoenix, Marcy Carriker Smothers, his sister-in-law Marie Smothers, and several nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his son Tom and his sister Sherry Smothers.
Source: Deadline
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