The pianist name was Mike Pretti from Texas. I took beginning piano from him at San Jacinto Jr. College. The thing I remember the most is how often he looked at his watch while I was playing.
Tommy waving Dickie off to turn and confront the rogue pianist is one of those absolutely perfect comedy moments of all time. Plus, got to spend an hour or so chatting with Dick Smothers a while back and a nicer, gentler, more decent, humble, self-effacing man cannot be imagined. It was an honor to meet one of my legends and have him be so much better than I had imagined.
wow I grew up watching and loving these guys they helped me through an abusive childhood and gave me a reason to laugh if even for a half hour heroes of mine
I remember seeing them when I was very young. But now that I am a classically trained musician -- vocal and piano -- I realize what significant talent they had as both musicians and comedy entertainers. 'Love this clip.
Fantastic performance...Tommy Smothers had one of the best comedic poker-faces EVER! Playing the hapless moron was so natural to him, he was actually convincing. In reality, he was an extremely sharp individual who negotiated their contracts and worked for political causes, notably free speech. You go Tommy!
I started playing guitar when I was 9. Learned a bunch of the Smother's songs - and my friends and I could recite their "bits". I was taken to see them in the early 60s at the Hollywood Bowl. I was blown away. RIP Tommy Smothers - you and your brother (whom your mom always liked best) really made an impact on a budding folksinger.
We used to watch the Smothers Brothers weekly show back in the day. "Daniel Boone was a trailer and a tractor" had my father literally rolling on the floor holding his sides with laughter. They were--and are--such a talent.
Proof that knowing how what's going to happen, when, doesn't effect enjoyment. Tom & Dick Smothers were consummate and precise performers who allowed audiences to appreciate the subtle blends of talents. I miss them.
Tommy Smothers is brilliant. One of the best. The timing between the two is point on. Dick is one of the best straight men there is. I used to watch their show until it's unfortunate end.
How funny was that show? I recall breaking a glass of soda I was drinking while watching it (think it was when Raquel Welch did the "You know what they say" skit as a guest).
Which one? They got fired by every network! And I don't say that to detract, but rather to celebrate their commitment and refusal to compromise their artistic integrity!
Same here. I'm British too. I'd heard OF them, but I'd never HEARD them and didn't really know who they were. Like you, I've only discovered them because of RU-vid and I'm glad I have.
They dared to protest the Nixon admin.and the Vietnam war and were censored often.CBS wouldn't allow the great Pete Seeger on the show because he was a communist.With the wars in the Middle East,history simply repeats itself over and over again and again.
OMG when I think of the old folks that have gone on before my generation who's memories have faded and didn't have a place like you tube to go and resurrect some of our good times and humour I feel so grateful and it is nice that the generations can enjoy and maybe understand that we laughed,giggled and were silly and we still laugh maybe not out loud but I for one enjoy the the joy of our younger generations
louiseA blood - We are fortunate that we have movies, RU-vid, and audio recordings of those we grew up with. It helps make the ‘Golden Years’ more like Gold. 😉 Including some that were recorded even before I was born !!! 🙃 🙂
@@boraxsopanic2670 shut up man, without a doubt there’s more talent today, sheerly by the amount of people out there making music. Look at jacob collier, one of the most gifted musicians in history (and I say this as a musician myself), breaking barrier before our eyes
Musical comedy genius. Tommy sure could play a mean guitar, and Dick was a talented double bassist with a great voice..."That's why Mom always liked him best!".
this humor is funny whether you were born in the 20’s, 80’s, or 2000’s. these two are amazing. and it’s even better that they are genuinely wonderful at making music.
To those who pine for the simple pure entertainment of the good ol' days recall this: The show was cancelled as the Brothers were introducing political humor critical of Nixon, the Viet Nam War and racism. Ostensibly, the brothers were fired for not delivering tapes of their shows in time for preview by affiliates (i.e, to be censored), but what really did them in was using their prime time show to say something that mattered. Or try to. The show that was pulled by CBS and never shown, the one with the second comic sermonette by David Steinberg, ended with Tom acknowledging something no other prime-time TV was prepared to do that weekend. He noted the first anniversary of the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr., and said, "Let's hope his dream will someday come true."
Richard Hiller : So true what you are saying but they were trying to get the truth across to us during extremely difficult times. That’s what CBS didn’t like.
@@dennisgawera8788 ...their millions of viewers thought otherwise. They'd had political satire on it for quite some time and their viewership kept growing.
More comedic and musical perfection from the Brothers... And in this case the Boston Pops as well. Tommy is a comedic genius. I wonder if he'd a been a hit on his own, like Steve Martin, with his guitar? Or was it the brother act that made them so special?! I'll take it either way... I remember them doing Cabbage on an album in 67 or so when I was 9. Today at 62 and they're still going strong.. By the way they both haven't aged a day. Either great surgery or living clean lives of exemplary behavior! I'll choose the latter for my heroes.
Their show is one of the fondest memories of TV in my early days. Thanks guys. The show was a must watch in our house and everybody watched. Their political commentary which tragically brought them down was much appreciated. I’m was so sorry when the heavies at CBS cancelled them unjustly.
I am SO glad a grew up when I did. It broke my heart when I had to explain to someone who the Smothers Brothers were! My favorite was the album "Kurb Your Tongue, Knave" and the song about all the church bells. I had it on an LP...remember those?
Just remember folks, these guys were taken off the air because they used comedy to disagree with the war in Nam. Censorship at it's worst. These guys were the best.
I knew these guys were multi-talented, but never knew that they could sing so well. They are an American Institution. And sometimes Tom belonged in an institution. Love em.
the kids listen to the music of the day and think "they wish they were there for the 60's and 70's", well, wait till they get A load of this! Tommy and Dickie were so funny and their guests were "about hilarious" for the comedy hour. I think the "comedy hour" came shortly after the "cocktail hour"and what fun! check out when they had Jim Stafford on the show in Branson doing "classical gas". the clip is classical, and Jim Stafford is A gas!
I didn't know Tommy was such a good quitar player .. The golden age of comedy. .. Classy lighthearted intelligent humour ... Before the fart joke and swearing generation took over and dragged us into their sewer ..
