Tom Smothers, Half of Comedy Duo "The Smothers Brothers," Dies at 86
Tom Smothers, the elder half of the iconic musical-comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, passed away at the age of 86. The announcement came from Smothers' family, revealing that he died at his California home following a battle with cancer. The Smothers Brothers, comprising Tom and his younger brother Dick, achieved fame with their unique blend of folk music and comedy.
The duo rose to prominence in the 1960s with "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," a CBS variety show that pushed the boundaries of television satire and tested the limits of network censors. The program, a precursor to later satirical shows like "Saturday Night Live," featured musical performances, comedy bits, and social and political commentary.
Tom played the guitar, and Dick played the stand-up bass, with both brothers contributing vocals. Their performances often included humorous tangents, arguments, and elaborate stories from their childhood, with Tom portraying the dimwitted older sibling provoking the calmer, more refined straight man played by Dick.
Born on February 2, 1937, in New York City, Tom Smothers and his family moved to Southern California when he and Dick were children. Despite their clean-cut appearance, the Smothers Brothers were known for their subversively irreverent approach to television, frequently clashing with CBS executives over content related to religion, drugs, politics, and the Vietnam War.
"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" became popular among younger, more liberal viewers in the late 1960s and featured performances by artists associated with the counterculture, such as Joan Baez, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, and The Doors.
The Smothers Brothers' battles with CBS executives over creative control and content eventually led to the show's abrupt cancellation in June 1969, despite high ratings. Tom Smothers believed that political pressure, possibly from President Richard Nixon, influenced the decision.
In addition to their TV success, Tom Smothers played acoustic guitar on John Lennon's anti-war song "Give Peace a Chance." The National Comedy Center described Tom Smothers as a pioneer and "a true champion for freedom of speech," using comedy to push boundaries and influence political consciousness.
