(Archive of American Television - December 12th, 2011) George Clooney and Smokehouse Pictures are set to produce a movie about Smothers Brothers Tom and Dick, in an adaptation of David Bianculli’s book, Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. The film will follow the controversy surrounding the Smothers Brothers’ short-lived television variety show, which debuted in 1967 and was abruptly canceled by CBS in 1969. The program attracted a young, anti-establishment audience, and often featured anti-war activists and punchlines at the expense of the government — which in turn led to infamous censorship battles between The Smothers Brothers and the network.

In their Archive Interview from 2000, Tom and Dick Smothers spoke in depth about the cancellation of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour -- (more)

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4 Comments

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"Thank you so much for starting this discussion! I've been waiting for this topic to come up for a long time, and it's great to finally see people talking about it. I'm really looking forward to hearing everyone’s insights and contributing to the conversation. Thanks again for bringing this up!""Thank you so much for starting this discussion! I've been waiting for this topic to come up for a long time, and it's great to finally see people talking about it. I'm really looking forward to hearing everyone’s insights and contributing to the conversation. Thanks again for bringing this up!"

Oct 1, 2024 | Reply

john kramer

hello mr. bianculli,
i just finished your book, dangerously funny, and enjoyed it tremendously. i was just curious, however, why there is no mention whatsoever of jerry/lorenzo music, who was a staff writer for the first two seasons, and of course went on to greater fame in several ways...show creator, theme song writer, voice-over artist as carlton the doorman, garfield, and others?

Mar 5, 2015 | Reply

Scottie Puppies In FL

A good watch. Really enjoyed it.

Feb 17, 2024

deb dugger

Please come to netflix...I miss your humor...Still so timely today...

Mar 27, 2014 | Reply

Jim Clark

David: I'm from Akron, a fan of the site, and of the Smothers Brothers since the mid-60s, I'm about to turn 57. Was hoping you could shed some light on when season one of the Comedy Hour might become available. Most fans want to see Tom and Dick on the shows, we can find the musically acts anywhere on the internet. Hope you can shed some light.

May 15, 2012 | Reply

David Bianculli

Dear Jim -- Hi to Akron! Loved my time there. Season 1, I'm guessing, won't come out until and unless the movie is made based on my book -- so we shouldn't hold our breath, though it's possible. Meanwhile, search for Smothers Brothers on YouTube. There's tons of stuff from the early days.

May 15, 2012

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