Tom Smothers, renowned as one half of the trailblazing comedic duo, the Smothers Brothers, and a fierce proponent of free speech through humor, has passed away at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by the National Comedy Center, acting on behalf of his family, with a statement on Wednesday that Smothers succumbed to cancer the previous day in his Santa Rosa, California home.
The news brought profound sorrow to Dick Smothers, Tom’s brother and partner in comedy. “I’m just devastated,” he shared with The Associated Press. The brothers, inseparable in their career, were synonymous with a unique blend of humor and activism that aligned perfectly with the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
Their most acclaimed venture, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, premiered on CBS in the autumn of 1967 and became an unexpected sensation. Going head-to-head with the ratings behemoth “Bonanza,” the show found its niche and resonated with the young baby boomer generation. It featured a mix of biting satire, commentary on the political and cultural climate, and performances by iconic rock musicians like the Who and Buffalo Springfield.
“We were moderate. We were never out there,” commented Dick Smothers. The duo were at the forefront without even knowing at first, riding and indeed contributing to the wave of change that the ’60s brought along. By the end of its first season, the show climbed to No. 16 in the Nielsen ratings, but it also began to feel the heat from the network censors.
CBS, over time, grew increasingly uncomfortable with the brothers’ penchant for pushing boundaries, especially as they poked fun at established norms, spoke out against the Vietnam War, and portrayed hippie culture in a sympathetic light. Differences over the show’s content led to a premature cancellation in 1970, with the network citing delays in episode submissions that prevented censorship review.
However, Tom Smothers continued to stand for free expression throughout his life, as evidenced by his speech during the 2008 Emmy Awards where he posthumously received an honorary Emmy for his work on the Comedy Hour. Advocating for peace and the freedom to challenge authority, he dedicated his award to the brave voices that refuse to be silenced.
The Smothers Brothers were also known for inviting controversy, such as Tom’s quip about Jesus and the Easter holiday, and their Christmas message which extended well-wishes not just to soldiers, but also to draft dodgers who had fled to Canada. Moreover, they brought blacklisted folk singer Pete Seeger back to television, whose song “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” drew parallels to President Lyndon Johnson’s policies. An initial ban from CBS saw the brothers defiantly bring Seeger back to perform the song on another episode, which did get aired.
Post-cancellation, the brothers filed a lawsuit against CBS, which concluded in their favor with a settlement of $775,000. The struggles with the network became the subject of the 2002 documentary, “Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.”
Reflecting on Tom Smothers’ legacy, National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson highlighted his achievements not only in comedy but also as a staunch advocate for freedom of speech. For over six decades, both Tom and Dick Smothers captivated audiences with their wit and courageous stand on issues that mattered, a true testament to Tom’s enduring contribution to the entertainment industry and society at large.
