Dick Smothers
About This Interview
Tom Smothers and Dick Smothers were interviewed for nearly three hours in Las Vegas, NV. They each individually chronicled their early years and influences and were then interviewed together regarding their work as the “Smothers Brothers.” They spoke about their first network series, the short-lived situation comedy The Smothers Brothers Show. They spoke in detail about The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the controversy surrounding the series topical material, that led to its cancellation by CBS in 1969. The two described the series comedy sketches, guest stars who appeared, and the tempestuous era in which it ran. They also talked about their resurgence as performers and the legacy of their comedy act. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on October 14, 2000.
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Highlights
Dick Smothers on his brother Tom Smothers
Clip begins at: 19:52, Duration: 07m 38s
Tom and Dick Smothers on the origin of Tom's "mom always liked you best" catchphrase
Clip begins at: 05:12, Duration: 01m 18s- Tom and Dick Smothers on the changing social and political views in the sixties as The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour came on the air
Clip begins at: 27:14, Duration: 02m 14s 
Tom and Dick Smothers on CBS' cancellation of The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour for breach-of-contract
Clip begins at: 00:36, Duration: 03m 23s- Tom and Dick Smothers on some censored portions of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 04:06, Duration: 03m 12s
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Full solo interview with Dick Smothers
Clip begins at: 0:36 - Dick Smothers on his early family life
Clip begins at: 00:35 - Dick Smothers on his early music education and teaming up with his brother Tom; and his early career aspirations
Clip begins at: 13:34 - Dick Smothers on his brother Tom Smothers and their relationship
Clip begins at: 19:52 - Chapter 2
- START OF JOINT INTERVIEW WITH Tom Smothers: On their first professional work and the evolution of their comedy as part of their performance
Clip begins at: 0:27 - On their first forays into television
Clip begins at: 10:02 - On their sitcom The Smothers Brothers Show
Clip begins at: 12:48 - On the development of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 18:48 - On the changing social and political views in the sixties as The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour came on the air
Clip begins at: 27:14 - Chapter 3
- On the start of The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour and the difficulties of producing a variety show
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of the confrontations they had with CBS and unions regarding the material on The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 05:27 - On their dealings with CBS, their firing, and their thoughts about the larger political issues which may have contributed to the demise of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 11:12 - Chapter 4
- On CBS' cancellation of The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour for breach-of-contract
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of their censored pieces on The Smothers Brothers' Comedy Hour, including a guest-starring appearance by Harry Belafonte
Clip begins at: 03:59 - On working with CBS executives; and their eventual firing and subsequent lawsuit
Clip begins at: 09:53 - On their short-lived series The Smothers Brothers Show (1975) and the importance of creative control
Clip begins at: 17:14 - On "Yo-Yo Man" sketches, The Tom and Dick Smothers Brothers Special, and some of the shows they were involved in after their television series went off the air
Clip begins at: 24:13 - Chapter 5
- On the collaborative nature of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On their opinion on the power of television and their advice to future television professionals
Clip begins at: 02:50 - On blacklisting and their hiring of Pete Seeger
Clip begins at: 08:03 - On their then-current projects and lifestyles
Clip begins at: 10:27 - On the legacy of the Smothers Brothers
Clip begins at: 14:12 - On the collaborative nature of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 00:25 - On their opinion on the power of television and their advice to future television professionals
Clip begins at: 02:50 - On blacklisting and their hiring of Pete Seeger
Clip begins at: 08:03 - On their then-current projects and lifestyles
Clip begins at: 10:27 - On the legacy of the Smothers Brothers
Clip begins at: 14:12
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