Perfect example of why the Smothers Brothers were, are, and always will be, great. These guys had the biggest balls on TV back in the 60's and 70's and they paid for it . If they had just been a variety-type act, they would have been great enough in the annals of entertainment. But they stood up to the censors and told it like it was and got cancelled for it. They aren't just funny. The Smothers Brothers are groundbreaking pioneers. Look them up. It's worth it.
They should be in every Hall of Fame that ever existed or exists, for entertainment. That Tommy is one great singer, comedian, guitarist and goofball rolled into one. And in real life he's extremely Intelligent. His brother Dick is the perfect straight man and bassist, and also super smart. They've been doing it 60 years practicality and are as wonderful as ever. They should both live forever, we need them.
To Dickie, Tommy not "taking it" on cue was a crime against humanity. Such a nothing thing with lesser talents wouldn't have been funny at all. With these two, it was just brilliant and they've been doing it since the 1960s. How they didn't get another show after CBS canceled them, I'll never know. Had they been born even earlier, they could've dominated Vaudeville. Thanks boys.
That's Probably Just the Pro-War LOSER From CBS that Cancelled Their Show the First Time for Letting 'The Association' perform "Requiem For the Masses"
Indeed they are master's of comedy as max said. But too few people really appreciate their musical ability, because of that. Their harmonies rival the Everly Brothers or just about anyone else from the era, or since and Tommy was literally a master on the guitar. That is the beauty. There were no lapses in their presentations. Excellent comedy and excellent music. One of the most entertaining groups,duos ever. Salute guys.
These guys had me in stitches when i was 11 years old..... and they can still do it!!! Their comedy is completely timeless: will be as good in a hundred years as it was yesterday.
I'm still laughing at there shows that I saw growing up. What a privilege it was to grow up in a time we never expected things for free. We had to earn it and still do. The smothers brothers earned everything they have.
My dad would play "Two sides of the Smothers Brothers" album when we were kids. We loved them decades ago, and we will love them always. They will never be not funny. The best of this one is "People don't come to see us argue!" Oh, yes they did.
@woodbutcherjohn They were way ahead of their time. Viewers loved them, but they went beyond the boundaries that shows like "Laugh-In" and "Sonny and Cher" wouldn't. They didn't just poke gentle fun at the government, the war, and the Nixon/Agnew team, they trashed them. Not just satirically, but honestly. They'd be considered tame by today's standards-but they were outspoken in a way that was new at the time. And when they were told to shut up, they spoke up. They're still hilarious.
Always loved the version they did on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where they're giving a history of railroad workers in 19th Century America and Tommy starts talking about pumas in the crevices.
In 1966 they did a concert in Salt Lake City. I was a local radio DJ then, and was one of the group that met them when they got off the plane. After a brief press conference, the publicity guy at the music hall where they were appearing asked me if I would give them a ride to their hotel. There they were in the back seat of my '63 Pontiac as I drove them into the city. Friendly to me and comfortable to be around, and they did put on a great show that next night.
Sure brings back some great childhood memories watching these guys! My family NEVER missed an episode of their show, although Mother would make us cover our ears and eyes if they started getting TOO political about stuff, which is most of the time LOL!!
Years ago on the Oscars, 'substitutes' were on stage to present the nominated song. For example, in 1955 Dean Martin sang "Three Coins in a Fountain" whereas it was someone else (four Aces or Frank Sinatra) who recorded it for the movie. All that to say in the early 1960's these 2 sang Nat King Cole's and Stubby Hayes' hit "Cat Ballou". Of course they did it in their own style, complete with the signature 'mother always liked you best' line. Would love to see it again sometime.
i used to be in the dueling pirate show at the MGM, tommy's son loved our show and tommy invited our cast to see them at the sahara. i was so flattered i thought i would puke. i saw them everytime they performed for the next 2 nights and even though the premise was the same, the show was always different. we got to hang out backstage and i became pretty good friends with them. they are incredible people and talented beyond words...and two of the most down to earth performers i have ever met.
This seemed appropriate for today. Some folks eat cabbage and black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. I'm personally not a fan. The clip is obviously from the 80s. Hosiery is a rare sight these days. But the Smothers Brothers remained funny for decades. RIP Tom. Stay healthy, Dick. Thanks for all the laughs and great songs. They did one album where they mostly played the songs straight.
classic... my highschool class of '07 could have nearly all claimed these two to be our second fathers since we heard them so much. ... Sometimes a guy just doesn't wanna take it
I loved their humor, but I also really loved their singing. They did half an album of just straight songs, and I loved it. They both have good voices, but Dickies solos were really good.
Absolutely brilliant timing - they've been doin' it for nearly 50 years now - and here they look as good as they did on the old Sullivan show in the 60s. Their comedy is timeless - their love for one another is obvious, and for what they do and did, I for one, will always be grateful... Thanks boys. And btw, Tommy? I'll bet your mom actually liked YOU best, what'dya think of that?
This episode of the Boston Pops on PBS was the first show we ever recorded on VHS. You see, back in my day, we didn't have any fancy "RUclips" or "Internet". If you wanted to remember something for all time, you had to sit down, grab a big hunk of plastic with some flimsy film inside, and record it yourself, consarnit! THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS AND WE LIKED IT!!! WE LOVED IT!!! Seriously, though, this is great stuff.
I loved watching this, I wish you would've posted the beginning when they're outside the doors talking about the finely payed poorly trained musicians. My father video taped this from PBS and watched it over and over until the tape wore out. I was so glad to find it here.
As so many others did, noted them on the recently broadcast Simpsons episode, but was well aware of them before. I then picked up "Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," by David Bianculli, which I highly recommend, at my library. These guys, and Tom in particular, really pushed the envelope. The real Tommy Smothers could not be more different from his stage persona. I believe I saw the live broadcast of their comeback specials - on CBS, of all places!
I read that book. I was surprised to learn that Tom was a gymnast in college, and that when they were battling the CBS censors, it was Tom who did all the talking, even though Dick supported him 100%.
I think they must have been students of Abbott and Costello. They reminded me of an Abbott and Costello. Very talented performers. A far cry from what passes for talent today.
glad you took the time to try and find out, they've and interesting story and history. You might try looking them up on wikipedia if you haven't already.
This song was a longtime staple in their comedy routine, and it was done thousands of different ways. The version in a very early album of theirs (pre-1964) was hilarious.
I love their humor, but I love their singing almost more. They were talented singers and musicians, but the humor took them over the top. Dickie had the best voice, but they were great at harmony too.
RIP Tommy. How we loved you, and how we laughed. You made the world a much funnier place.
Perfect example of why the Smothers Brothers were, are, and always will be, great.
These guys had the biggest balls on TV back in the 60's and 70's and they paid for it . If they had just been a variety-type act, they would have been great enough in the annals of entertainment. But they stood up to the censors and told it like it was and got cancelled for it.
They aren't just funny. The Smothers Brothers are groundbreaking pioneers. Look them up. It's worth it.
These guys are GOLD. This kind of comedy never gets old
Even without their iconic TV show they are two of the all time great comedic duos, and so talented musically as well.
Aren’t we glad that we are part of a group of 786,000 People who love 💕 this show and NOT the 92 who don’t!👏👏👏👏👏✅🇺🇸🇺🇸🎵🎶
They should be in every Hall of Fame that ever existed or exists, for entertainment. That Tommy is one great singer, comedian, guitarist and goofball rolled into one. And in real life he's extremely Intelligent. His brother Dick is the perfect straight man and bassist, and also super smart. They've been doing it 60 years practicality and are as wonderful as ever. They should both live forever, we need them.
And don’t forget Yo-Yo expert!
bravo! well said and 100% true
❤❤ and miss these guy's what a pleasure to grow up while they were here making people happy
To Dickie, Tommy not "taking it" on cue was a crime against humanity. Such a nothing thing with lesser talents wouldn't have been funny at all. With these two, it was just brilliant and they've been doing it since the 1960s. How they didn't get another show after CBS canceled them, I'll never know. Had they been born even earlier, they could've dominated Vaudeville. Thanks boys.
How is it POSSIBLE that there are people who "thumb down" these genius???????????????????????
I guess they don't know what real comedy is about!!!
That's Probably Just the Pro-War LOSER From CBS that Cancelled Their Show the First Time for Letting 'The Association' perform "Requiem For the Masses"
Why can't we have entertainers like this anymore?
This is one of their classic bits. What a joy to watch again.
Indeed they are master's of comedy as max said. But too few people really appreciate their musical ability, because of that. Their harmonies rival the Everly Brothers or just about anyone else from the era, or since and Tommy was literally a master on the guitar. That is the beauty. There were no lapses in their presentations. Excellent comedy and excellent music. One of the most entertaining groups,duos ever. Salute guys.
These guys had me in stitches when i was 11 years old..... and they can still do it!!! Their comedy is completely timeless: will be as good in a hundred years as it was yesterday.
I feel very fortunate to have seen them in person AND gotten to meet them after the show. Wonderful entertainers and warm friendly people.
Two wonderful comic geniuses, as well as musicians.
These guys are just so great. Just GREAT!
Amazing - John Williams looks no older now at 90 than he did nearly 40 years ago.
Funny as hell all these many years later!
I'm still laughing at there shows that I saw growing up. What a privilege it was to grow up in a time we never expected things for free. We had to earn it and still do. The smothers brothers earned everything they have.
They are as good musicians as they are comedians. And what timing, wow!
I only wish I could give this more than one thumbs up.
I sang this song countless times.
My dad would play "Two sides of the Smothers Brothers" album when we were kids. We loved them decades ago, and we will love them always.
They will never be not funny.
The best of this one is "People don't come to see us argue!"
Oh, yes they did.
Some of them do 😂
Great harmony
I remember watching the Smothers Brothers in an Air Force Barracks in 1968/69. The biggest audience in the barracks.
I'm so glad that I was born in the fifties. The guys made laugh so hard.
i was born in *99 and this kills me too, utterly timeless
Amen!!❤
@woodbutcherjohn They were way ahead of their time. Viewers loved them, but they went beyond the boundaries that shows like "Laugh-In" and "Sonny and Cher" wouldn't. They didn't just poke gentle fun at the government, the war, and the Nixon/Agnew team, they trashed them. Not just satirically, but honestly. They'd be considered tame by today's standards-but they were outspoken in a way that was new at the time. And when they were told to shut up, they spoke up. They're still hilarious.
👍🏻 Even if they had "less on", none would be a "more on", and certainly not a "not a pilot" [quote]. 😂
I love them and their humor!! ❤️
They still are- I saw them two years back and we were just rolling in the aisles. Brilliant.
Always loved the version they did on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson where they're giving a history of railroad workers in 19th Century America and Tommy starts talking about pumas in the crevices.
These guys have always be one of my favorites. Especially "I fell into a vat of chocolate"
I yelled fire because no one would come if I yelled chocolate!
Two words: "Mediocre Fred."
Growing up, I think I had every Smothers Brothers album ever made. My favorite comedians.
This is the most complex funny thing I've every seen... and if you watch all of them you see alot of call back comedy.
In 1966 they did a concert in Salt Lake City. I was a local radio DJ then, and was one of the group that met them when they got off the plane. After a brief press conference, the publicity guy at the music hall where they were appearing asked me if I would give them a ride to their hotel. There they were in the back seat of my '63 Pontiac as I drove them into the city. Friendly to me and comfortable to be around, and they did put on a great show that next night.
Are you by chance LDS?
I grew up with my Mom and Dad playing their old records around the house. ^_^ It's so nice to hear these two again.
Talk about the fun of brotherly love. The Smothers brothers are it.
Sure brings back some great childhood memories watching these guys! My family NEVER missed an episode of their show, although Mother would make us cover our ears and eyes if they started getting TOO political about stuff, which is most of the time LOL!!
Magical Masters of the Argument! I Love You Smothers Brothers!!! Thank you for All The Belly Laughs!!!!
Lucky enough to see them three times
I loved their TV show, and it broke my heart when it got cancelled.
very talented family. there stuff was polished over many years, and it holds up beautifully.
Years ago on the Oscars, 'substitutes' were on stage to present the nominated song. For example, in 1955 Dean Martin sang "Three Coins in a Fountain" whereas it was someone else (four Aces or Frank Sinatra) who recorded it for the movie. All that to say in the early 1960's these 2 sang Nat King Cole's and Stubby Hayes' hit "Cat Ballou". Of course they did it in their own style, complete with the signature 'mother always liked you best' line. Would love to see it again sometime.
My face hurts from smiling :)
Smothers Bros. Excellent.
They are in a class of their own- truly superb. Still remember watching their show as a kid about 40 years ago. Thank you so much for uploading this.
I miss these two! Damn they were funny! All of this dialogue over a compliment?? Classic Funny Stuff.
These guys were among the few who could make my father laugh. I never could understand why when I was 9. Now I get it.
i used to be in the dueling pirate show at the MGM, tommy's son loved our show and tommy invited our cast to see them at the sahara. i was so flattered i thought i would puke. i saw them everytime they performed for the next 2 nights and even though the premise was the same, the show was always different. we got to hang out backstage and i became pretty good friends with them. they are incredible people and talented beyond words...and two of the most down to earth performers i have ever met.
I love these guys
This seemed appropriate for today. Some folks eat cabbage and black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. I'm personally not a fan.
The clip is obviously from the 80s. Hosiery is a rare sight these days. But the Smothers Brothers remained funny for decades. RIP Tom. Stay healthy, Dick. Thanks for all the laughs and great songs. They did one album where they mostly played the songs straight.
I like how they cut to images of old people laughing so that the old people in their living rooms know it's OK to laugh.
Absolutely love’em!!!
Man, they were great!
classic... my highschool class of '07 could have nearly all claimed these two to be our second fathers since we heard them so much.
...
Sometimes a guy just doesn't wanna take it
But that's the folk singer's credo! Says so in the folk singer's handbook! You know, it comes with a songbook & a Arthur Godfrey chord changer!
I used to listen to old records of these guys as a kid.
people didn't come here to hear us argue
Some of 'em did
so simple yet so hilarious because it is true
I loved their humor, but I also really loved their singing. They did half an album of just straight songs, and I loved it. They both have good voices, but Dickies solos were really good.
Still smiling.
So funny but such good harmonizing at the same time
Absolutely brilliant timing - they've been doin' it for nearly 50 years now - and here they look as good as they did on the old Sullivan show in the 60s. Their comedy is timeless - their love for one another is obvious, and for what they do and did, I for one, will always be grateful... Thanks boys. And btw, Tommy? I'll bet your mom actually liked YOU best, what'dya think of that?
this was on pbs back in the mid 80s.
I love it, and and I've lost count of the times I have sung to myself "I fell into a vat of chocolate.".
I'm reminded lately what good musicians they were. Should have paid a lot more attention when I was a whippersnapper.
Used to watch this on Sunday Night. They also appeared on "Hootenany"
This episode of the Boston Pops on PBS was the first show we ever recorded on VHS. You see, back in my day, we didn't have any fancy "RUclips" or "Internet". If you wanted to remember something for all time, you had to sit down, grab a big hunk of plastic with some flimsy film inside, and record it yourself, consarnit! THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS AND WE LIKED IT!!! WE LOVED IT!!!
Seriously, though, this is great stuff.
I used to watch these often on TV!
I loved watching their shows too.
tommy smothers is one of the funniest guys I ever saw...preciate the post
i was so lucky i got to meet those two when I was 13, I also got to meet Sherri Lewis and Lambchop! yay.
I'm 23, my Dad played this LP for me when I was a kid. Needless to say I think I'm a pretty cool guy these days 8)
That WAS a compliment..... was as surprised as anyone!
Great Tune for Hoot!!!
I loved watching this, I wish you would've posted the beginning when they're outside the doors talking about the finely payed poorly trained musicians. My father video taped this from PBS and watched it over and over until the tape wore out. I was so glad to find it here.
As so many others did, noted them on the recently broadcast Simpsons episode, but was well aware of them before. I then picked up "Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," by David Bianculli, which I highly recommend, at my library. These guys, and Tom in particular, really pushed the envelope. The real Tommy Smothers could not be more different from his stage persona. I believe I saw the live broadcast of their comeback specials - on CBS, of all places!
I read that book. I was surprised to learn that Tom was a gymnast in college, and that when they were battling the CBS censors, it was Tom who did all the talking, even though Dick supported him 100%.
I think they must have been students of Abbott and Costello. They reminded me of an Abbott and Costello. Very talented performers. A far cry from what passes for talent today.
Boxing day 2023 was a sad day.
My fave one... this one and Micheal Row the boat ashore =D
@thisismyidgdi I think you meant 5:13, but yes the look is hilarious.
"Tom, people did not come here to hear us argue"
"Some of them did..."
they could be really very sophisticated in their arguing !
These guys were great!
Man I'm glad they were on The Simpsons. However saturated I am with cheap laughs, being a present-dayer, this still resonates more.
These guys were Funny...
This brings back great memories. ;-)
Saw them at the Keswick .......They were Great!
Classic comedy... gotta love it!
I miss them
Classic bit. Classic classic classic!
glad you took the time to try and find out, they've and interesting story and history. You might try looking them up on wikipedia if you haven't already.
Very rare that siblings cooperate.But when both of them are in showbiz ther is a tension which is obvious here.
These guys are so funny!
timeless - dateless - god damn were they funny - every time, every day, every show. /p/
Damn good!!!
they were the best!
Original in every way. Perfectly matched.
oh god, how did he know it was the third time.. that took me a second..
But see, he thought the first two times were 'naked bacon', so it makes sense.
This song was a longtime staple in their comedy routine, and it was done thousands of different ways. The version in a very early album of theirs (pre-1964) was hilarious.
Is that the version where Dick refers to the "Folksingers' Handbook"? If it is I have that version on a Greatest Hits compilation.
I love their humor, but I love their singing almost more. They were talented singers and musicians, but the humor took them over the top. Dickie had the best voice, but they were great at harmony too.
Class act.
What a great little act they had.
miss Tommy.... great great great stuff.
Thank you so much!