Tom 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.” "We gave ourselves six months to make it or we were going back to San Jose State and finish our education," Tom remarks. "And the six months have gone on to this point in time, 42 years." 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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Tom and Dick Smothers were inducted into the 19th Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
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Highlights
Tom Smothers on the formation of The Smothers Brothers
Clip begins at: 09:48, Duration: 03m 45s
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 difficulties and their subsequent firing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
Clip begins at: 05:27, Duration: 23m 22s
The Smothers Brothers on their legacy
Clip begins at: 15:26, Duration: 01m 08s
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Full solo interview with Tom Smothers
Clip begins at: 0:45 - Tom Smothers on his early life and strong interest in music
Clip begins at: 00:45 - Tom Smothers on the formation of The Smothers Brothers
Clip begins at: 09:48 - Tom Smothers on first seeing TV; on his "slow" character; on his early fame; and his life outside of performing
Clip begins at: 13:33 - Tom Smothers on his brother Dick Smothers
Clip begins at: 24:10 - Chapter 2
- START OF JOINT INTERVIEW with Dick Smothers: On their first professional job 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
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