Congratulations David, this is wonderful news!

My first exposure to the Smothers Brothers came in the early 1970's, where as a kid discovered a few of their Mercury LP's in my parents' record collection...I remember being very excited when I heard that they were coming "back" to TV on NBC in 1975 (even though at that time I knew nothing about their previous CBS show), and even was able to audio record a few of those shows, thanks to my dad hooking up a cable from the audio speaker of our TV that I would then be able to plug into the back of my 8-track tape recorder and thereby eliminate any outside noise (sadly, through the passage of time those 8-tracks wore out and now only have vague memories of those shows). With the advent of VCR's in the 1980's, I was lucky enough to record from Nick at Nite a few episodes of their first "Smothers Brothers Show" series from 1965-66 and then from E! every episode of the "Comedy Hour" (with Tom & Dick's excellent commentary before and after each episode), and since then have been able to see them in concert about six times. Two months after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 they performed at the College of Staten Island Theatre where I was able to meet them after their show and get my copy of the "Smothers Comedy Brothers Hour" and Dick's "Saturday Night At The World" LP's signed, and they happily signed/posed for pictures for anyone who asked...a class act in every sense of the word.

Your book will be a great companion to the "Smothered" documentary and am looking forward to its release! (Thanks -- me too. And I agree completely about the "class act" aspect. -- David B.)

Being in my earliest teens in a household that at least considered voting for Goldwater, I still remember watching the Smothers Brothers each week..but with a distinct feeling that I needed to be reserved in my reaction to their jokes...as they were anti-war and anit-establishment..in a word, 'controversial'.

I knew this wasn't a 'safe' program, like "The Ed Sullivan Show" was. Even at that early age, I could tell the show was 'pushing limits' and distinctly remember my folks scrutinizing many of the jokes and innuendos with reserved reactions.

But watch the show we did..every week. I remember to this day two lines which made me laugh out loud. One was when they were promoting a story about themselves but were not allowed to mention the magazine on the air. So they got around it by suggesting we go to the newstand and 'take a Look'.

Another time was when Tom was making fun of how Russions pronounce a 'v' like a 'w' and stated 'When you drink too much wodka, you womit'.

I cracked up, and my parents reminded me how the Smothers Brothers were unlike any 'entertainment' they had ever seen.

Ah, the dynamics of the mid-60's. Amazing how much that show, as young as they were, was bold and mind-expanding....and would have legs even today. (Those are wery funny jokes you remembered -- David B.)

Like many, I loved The Smothers Brothers on their shows as well as 'The Ed Sullivan Show', Johnny Carson's 'Tonight' show and many others. I enjoyed Tom's yo-yo prowess that he demonstrated numerous times with Johnny as well.

But as only a much smaller group can say, I also had the pleasure of see Dick and Tom in their Broadway debuts in 1978 at the Ethel Barrymore theater in a production of 'I Love My Wife.' They both did a fine job.

My family loved the Smothers Brothers and we watched their show each week without fail. One of my favorite possessions, which is framed and on my desk at work, is an autographed photo of Tom and Dick thanking my dad for his entry in the Slithery Dee contest. (The contest challenge was to depict the sea monster of the title.) I wish I had a copy of the the art that my dad submitted alongside it. The photo brings a smile to my face each time I see it. And I get a kick out of it when when people walk past my desk, do a double-take, and walk back to talk about the Smothers Brothers.

It just goes to show you that, at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter who Mom loved the best.

I was always personally impressed with the Smothers Brothers' courage in booking controversial guests and allowing them to do their uncensored shtick. Keith Moon's drum-kit explosion was a particular favorite clip of mine that never seems to get old.

David,

As a soldier serving in Vietnam at the time of the 1968 election, I sent in my absentee ballot for Pat Paulson. I still think today, as I did then, that I made the right choice!!! (I have to interview you for the book! Remind me! -- David B.)