The Smothers Brothers

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Dick and Tommy Smothers

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The Smothers Brothers are an American music-and-comedy team, formed by real-life brothers Tom (or Tommy) (born February 2, 1937) and Dick Smothers (born November 20, 1939). They were both born on Governor's Island in New York Harbor, where their father was stationed. Their father died during the Second World War in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, and they were raised by their mother in the Los Angeles area.

Related Topics:
American - Comedy - Tom - February 2 - 1937 - Dick Smothers - November 20 - 1939 - Governor's Island - New York Harbor - Second World War - Japan - Prisoner of war - Los Angeles area

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The brothers attended San Jose State University, and after a brief time in a folk group called the Casual Quintet, the Smothers made their debut as a duo in 1959. They were a popular act in clubs and released several successful record albums.

Related Topics:
San Jose State University - Folk - Casual Quintet - 1959

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The brothers' trademark act was performing folk songs (Tommy on acoustic guitar, Dick on string bass), which usually led to fake arguments between the two siblings. Tommy's signature line was, "Mom always liked you best". Tommy (the elder of the two) acted "slow," and Dick acted "superior". In real life Tommy was not slow at all: He handled their business affairs and later gained fame as a yo-yo expert; he starred in his own TV special, The Yo-Yo Man.

Related Topics:
Folk song - Acoustic guitar - String bass - Yo-yo

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In the 1960s, the brothers appeared on numerous television shows as guest artists and hosted two series of their own, the situation comedy The Smothers Brothers Show (1965–1966), in which Tom played an angel come back to earth, and then the variety show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967–1969).

Related Topics:
1960s - Situation comedy - The Smothers Brothers Show - 1965 - 1966 - Variety show - 1967 - 1969

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The latter show became increasingly controversial for its references to youth culture, racism, and the Vietnam War, thus getting the brothers into regular conflicts with the network censors. The show also featured a roster of writers and regular performers who would become some of the biggest names in comedy, including Steve Martin, Don Novello, Rob Reiner, Pat Paulsen, and Bob "Super Dave Osborne" Einstein. CBS abruptly canceled the show on March 9, 1969, leading the brothers to file a successful breach of contract suit against the network. Despite the cancellation, the show went on to win the Emmy Award that year for best writing. The saga of the cancellation of the show is the subject of a 2002 documentary film, Smothered.

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - Network - Censors - Steve Martin - Don Novello - Rob Reiner - Pat Paulsen - Bob "Super Dave Osborne" Einstein - CBS - March 9 - 1969 - Breach of contract - Emmy Award - 2002

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The Smothers Brothers had further shows: The Smothers Brothers Show (1975) and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1988–1989) and The Tom and Dick Smothers Brothers Specials I and II in 1980. They also lent their (uncredited) singing voices to "Tom and Tom, the Brothers Brothers" in In Living Color (1990–1992).

Related Topics:
1975 - 1988 - 1989 - 1980 - In Living Color - 1990 - 1992

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The Smothers Brothers operate the Remick Ridge Vineyards in Sonoma County, California and, as late as 2005, continued to tour.

Related Topics:
Remick Ridge Vineyards - Sonoma County, California - 2005

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