‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ featured some great singers and great comedians. When the ‘Smothers Brothers’ appeared in 1966, America was treated to comedy and singing. Tom and Dick walk on stage in red suit jackets with white shirts and black ties. Tom is carrying an acoustic guitar, and Dick brings the upright bass.
A comedic count-off by Tom starts their number. He quickly counts out of rhythm, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5’ and the brothers start their first song, ‘Lonesome Traveler.’ Their singing and harmony are a delight.
The song features a serious narration section in the middle, and Tom looks intently into the camera. He stumbles over the words, and the audience cracks up. Dick stops the song and begins to comedically argue with Tom.
Afterward, Tom laments, ‘Mom always liked you best!’ The brothers continue shouting at each other while the audience howls in laughter. Tom tells the audience, ‘My mom gave my brother a dog, and I didn’t get to have a dog!’ Dick replies, ‘You had your own pet!’ Tom shouts back, ‘A crummy chicken!’
The brothers move on to sing a song about different churches in their hometown called ‘Church Bells.’ After a few verses, Dick accidentally fumbles over his words, and Tom smiles happily, saying, ‘My brother made a mistake!’
Dick was trying to say ‘Catholic towers,’ but instead said, ‘Catholic chowers!’ Tom goes on to ask Dick, ‘Do you know anything at all about Catholics?’ Dick says, ‘No,’ Tom replies, ‘They’ll get you!’ Tom gets a huge laugh and then looks over to Sullivan, saying, ‘Right Ed?’
Their comedic timing and chemistry are impeccable. The brothers were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2010. In this clip, the Smothers Brothers had the crowd in hysterics with their witty musical comedy!
There's a good stretch of The Smothers Brothers over on Amazon. We make a small share when you go through us. That keeps a couple of people and a houseful of cats in business.
