Tom Smothers and Dick Smothers

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.