Per an article in The Guardian earlier today by Erun Salaam called "Tom Smothers of sibling comedy duo the Smothers Brothers dies at age 86," the life of an interesting comedian is noted.
"Tom Smothers, half of the comedy group the Smothers Brothers, has died at the age of 86.
Smothers was described as 'not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life,' but as 'a one-of-a-kind creative partner,' according to a statement by his brother Dick Smothers on Wednesday shared by the National Comedy Center.
Dick also shared that Tom, who died after a battle with cancer, was at home with his family when he died.
Tom, along with Dick, performed in a folk musical comedy duo, and became known for their controversial political satire. Their variety show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which ran from 1967 to 1969, was famously pulled by CBS after the two took a stance against the Vietnam war and were in favor of civil rights in their performances.
Although Tom and Dick successfully sued CBS after cancelling their show and proved they did not breach their contract, the program never returned to air.
'Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,' Dick said in the statement shared by the National Comedy Center. 'I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.'"
Their routine was unique in that it deployed music which was constantly interrupted by Tom's feigned confusion, as he questioned his brother Dick on what he meant. It was at his best when the issue was absurd and could not be explained. It was ideal for political humor. When the testy Dick may have hit home with his point, Tom might loudly say "Mom always liked you best."
Their being forced off the air by CBS has some irony to it, as it was famous CBS news presenter Walter Cronkite who said that America needed to stop its involvement in the Vietnam War. President Nixon famously said when you lose Cronkite, you lose America. Sadly, per the later released Pentagon Papers, Nixon and previous president knew that fighting the Vietnam War was a futile effort.
As for Civil Rights, the Smothers Brothers were also in the right to speak out for those whose Civil Rights were threatened. It took America several years to realize the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts meant something needed to change.
If you get a chance watch some footage of the Smothers Brothers. It is a treat.
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