It was an ordinary day. My wife had just opened the morning paper as I sat nearby, preparing to write another story for my blog. She said to me, in a alarming voice..."Tom Smothers just died!" "What!, I said back to her. Where did you read that?" Before long she was reading the story that appeared in my morning newspaper. Read like this....
Comedian Tom Smothers, who with his brother performed as the singing duo, the Smothers Brothers, has died, according to a family statement shared by the National Comedy Center. He was 86. Dick Smothers, Tom's younger brother and professional partner said his brother was at home at the time of his death, related to cancer. "Tom was not only the older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," Dick Smothers said in a statement. "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." The folk singing brothers became pioneers with their biting satirical comedy that was at the forefront of their CBS variety show "The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour," which ran from 1967 to 1969. CBS famously yanked the show from the air after they ran afoul of the network for their political critiques, defense of civil rights and their opposition to the Vietnam War, "50 years later I look back on us being fired and I'm still pissed off." Tom Smothers said to laughs in a 2019 interview shared by "All Arts TV." Tom was born in 1937, a year before his brother Dick, and the pair grew up in California and began performing after attending San Jose State University. In an interview with CBS News last year, Tom said he and his sibling initially thought of themselves as stand up comedians. "We thought of ourselves as folk singers." After breaking into television with their music, their "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' became a hit. "It was just the biggest thrill, it was unbelievable!" Dick told CBS News. Their mix of music, skits and political send ups - with Tom as the bumbling guitarist brother and Dick as the bass playing straight man - challenged network censors of the time. The brothers often joked about criticism they faced for their candor during their comedy hour, but freedom of speech was something they took seriously. "The right for us not to allow even to give our viewpoints to other people who are interested in hearing it is contrary, I think, to the principle of our country and to the principle that makes the world go round" Tom Smothers once said on their program. The times were changing so quickly in the sixties and we loved chasing them," Dick said during an apperance on CNN's "The Sixties" docu-series. "We just reflected 'em," his brother added. Their brand of comedy was extremely influential for many in the business, including some who have gone on to become household names. Some of the early writers on their show included Steve Martin, Lorne Michael, Rob Reiner and David Steiner. Remember most of them. I loved them all and their comedy. Shortly after, CBS chief executive officer and President William Paley canceled their show, citing their failure to meet delivery dates for their episode so the brothers succesfully sued the network to show they didn't breach their contract. The program, however, never returned to the air. The Smothers Brothers announced last year that they were returning to the stage with a tour in 2023. And...I so much looked forward to seeing them in person. The Smother Brothers will forever be missed. Perhaps Dick may continue with his music, but it will never be the same without his sidekick brother Tom. A private memorial service for Tom Smothers will take place in 2024. I have lived much of my life watching the Smother Brothers and their form of musical comedy. Yeah...they were great musicians, but they could make me laugh quicker and longer than any other comedians. And yeah, I know they really weren't comedians, but can you name too many comedians who were as funny as the Smothers Brothers? I think not! RIP Tom! You will be missed by so many who loved your type of musical comedy! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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