Michelle Kaplan

Freedom of Speech Could Not Be Smothered - Interview with Dick Smothers

Irreverent and daring, this brotherly duo with their innocent boyish charm and the catch phrase, “Mom always liked you best,” was slowly turning an entire industry on its ear.

Look into the history of television and you’ll find Tom and Dick Smothers leading a generation out of the dark…with laughter.

In 1967, political unrest in the United States had hit a fever pitch, a breakout television show reflected the era, touting taboo subjects such as objection to the Vietnam War, sex, drugs, rock & roll and the counter culture. Instead of being celebrated, they were censored by the network despite good ratings. Although Dick Smothers, 67, was at the front lines of this censorship war, he’d tell you that brother Tom, 69, was waging it.

“My brother would say, freedom of speech is alive, freedom of hearing…of reading is in danger.”

Although CBS eventually cancelled the show, 37 years later, the Smothers Brothers prove that good comedy can stand the test of time.

“Our show today has more politics than our show did 30 years ago, but we don’t hit you over the head with it…our show is more timely and relevant than it ever was…we allude to certain political people, we’re not preaching.”

Back in the 60s they helped to open up the eyes of young America to what many felt was an unjust war.

“If you compare the geopolitical, geo-economics to then, that was minor league compared to this. In my opinion and Tommy’s too, it’s a juggernaut of terrorists… how do you stop people who are willing to kill anybody…wars hurt the wrong people. Collateral damage is a terrible word, which is so sanitized.”

Dick and Tom may have been greatly influenced by the times and the counter culture that they were immersed in, but their collective feeling on war may have been impacted more by losing their father in World War II. Stationed in the Philippines, he died before being shipped to a Japanese POW camp.

“We’re a result of a whole stew of experiences, and that was one of them… I went into the army. I could have been a career army man. Tommy would have been in the stockade right away.”

Dick describes older brother Tom as a bit of a rebel of the times.

“Those are the people who push the envelope. I was very fortunate to have a brother like that.” As he talks about his brother, the affection and admiration he feels for him is evident.

“His commitment to his morality… his character…he’s not without flaws, he’s got plenty of flaws, but his integrity… that’s something that isn’t changing…he hasn’t compromised.”

Fans of the classic Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour might say the brothers were ahead of their time, but even now, the times, they are a changin’ - or are they?  One has only to look at life in 2006 to see how it mirrors life 1966 with an unpopular president fighting an unpopular war, paranoid spying and censorship to see how these two who have been there done that are doing it so well - still.

It could be that we see the honesty in their humor. Dick, unafraid to talk about his life and experiences, speaks about seeking help in his relationship 11 years ago, and going into couples counseling - with brother Tom.

“Working with my brother is like a marriage, a lot of fighting and no sex,” he laughs.

The “couple” has spent 47 years together in this partnership and, of course, been brothers for longer.

“Early on we would have fist fights…rolling and yelling. We worked through it…it takes a commitment… a partnership has to be worked on, we took the time to do that.”

The counseling brought enlightenment to both, showing them how to agree to disagree.

“We did this with love, not anger, and we did this with the full knowledge that it might be time to quit. We were able to work with each other, criticize, or give constructive criticism or suggestions on each others work…I accept his right to criticize, I validate his right to give me suggestions, he gives me the right to try or reject them.”

It’s a system that has obviously worked for them. But despite the need for counseling,

Dick remembers the early days fondly.

“It just slowly grew and happened…each level was success.”

Dick said that while the brothers attended college a friend suggested that they go to San

Francisco. There was a nightclub that had an open mic night on a Saturday one night a week. The brothers were hired and in 1959 worked from January to July.

“It was three acts, 10-12 minute shows, Phyllis Diller was the headliner…the Kinston Trio started there…we got to be good.”

They were so good that word of mouth brought in William Morris, who saw them and signed them. Almost over night it was off to New York to appear on the Jack Parr show.

“The first 10 years were magical, every move was the right move…then after that we had to start working for a living.”

So far, the Smothers Brothers have outlasted any other comedy team. For Dick, keeping the show fresh is a big reason why the fans turn out; the other might be the family factor.

“It’s like visiting your two eccentric cousins…we’ve grown more complex…more mature, but we’re the same people you’re comfortable with.”

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