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Madly Odd

Martin Mull Outfoxes TV Censors With Hilarious Wordplay

A man in a suit plays a yellow guitar on a stage with a colorful background.

It was a crisp Sunday evening in February 1970 when I first caught Martin Mull on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." Our family had just finished a dinner of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, a weekly tradition before gathering around our bulky Zenith color TV. The air was thick with anticipation - and a hint of my dad's pipe tobacco.

CBS was the channel to watch that night. We'd heard whispers at school about Mull's upcoming appearance, promising something edgy. Back then, pushing boundaries on TV was an event, like watching a tightrope walker without a net. We kids felt grown-up, allowed to stay up past 9 PM on a school night for this.

Then Mull appeared, guitar in hand, with a mischievous glint in his eye that said, "You're in for something special."

The moment he started his "Humming Song," the room fell silent. My older sister elbowed me, whispering, "Pay attention!" As if I could look away. Mull's eyebrows did more comedy than most full routines. Each pause was perfectly timed, leaving just enough space for our imaginations to fill in the blanks.

I remember my mom's nervous giggle, trying to decide if this was appropriate for us kids. Dad's belly laugh gave away that he got all the jokes. Me? I was transfixed, feeling like I was part of some grown-up secret club.

The genius was in what Mull didn't say. Those hums carried more meaning than most songs with full lyrics. It was like a secret language of comedy, spoken in musical innuendos and knowing glances.

Want to experience the rebellious wit that had us all humming in 1970? Check out Martin Mull's legendary performance!

Rewatching Mull's "Humming Song" now, I'm transported back to our shag-carpeted living room, the scent of microwave popcorn in the air. It wasn't just a comedy bit; it was a shared moment of joy and subtle rebellion. We quoted those hums for weeks, much to our teachers' confusion. Mull didn't just outsmart the censors that night - he gave us a tune to unite generations, proving that sometimes, the funniest jokes are the ones left unsaid.

Hold onto your hat, folks! If you think today's comedy is a laugh riot, wait 'til you get a load of these fellas. We've unearthed the Smothers Brothers' greatest hits on Amazon, and let me tell you, it's funnier than a rubber crutch. Tom and Dick's sibling shenanigans will have you in stitches faster than you can say "Mom always liked you best!" From folk song parodies to their razor-sharp political wit, this album's got more chuckles than a barrel of monkeys. Snag this comedy gold quicker than you can strum a guitar, and you'll be helping us keep the flames of classic humor burning bright. It's as American as apple pie and twice as sweet. So don't be a square, give it a listen and remember when comedy had both brains and heart!

There’s still plenty of The Smothers Brothers to enjoy on AmazonAd. Buying through us lets us earn some much-needed income, and it keeps the cats happy too.

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