Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of "the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour"

Running a mere three seasons before CBS (with a little help from the Nixon Administration) ingloriously pulled the plug, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" was a television landmark in its groundbreaking political satire, countercultural attitude and eclectic guests ranging from Kate Smith to Pete Seeger. TV critic David Bianculli's "Dangerously Funny" not only offers a detailed overview of the provocative 1967-69 variety show, but also serves as an insightful portrait of Tom and Dick Smothers, whose comedic sibling rivalry has spanned a half-century. As Bianculli tellingly points out, the Smothers' prime-time sacrifice helped pave the way for Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert - among other artists who benefited from Tom and Dick's rebellious nonconformity. Reading this valuable book encourages you to watch the original "Comedy Hour" broadcasts in chronological order, thus charting the brothers' triumphant rise and devastating fall. If the networks had any imagination to spare, they would give the Smothers one final shot at television glory.

I think I must have seen every episode of that show as a kid growing up and this behind the scenes look is fascinating. The author covers pretty much every episode their creation and evolution, and interviews many of the participants, many of whom went on to famous careers themselves. Steve Martin. Rob Reiner. And of course Pat Paulsen. I had never realized that the Bob Einstein who played "Officer Judy" and now haunts "Curb Your Enthusiam" is Albert Brooks' brother. Tommy Smothers is particularly fascinating when you see how he was the driving force behind the show and realize just how sharp he is compared to the character he played. Even if you weren't a big fan, this book also takes a look at a key transition in American culture as the show manages to straddle the traditional while making way for a new era. So many famous bands had their beginnings there. The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield. By the end, even the Beatles were guests. It made me miss the days of one television, 3 channels, and the whole family having to watch the same thing, especially when I got to snicker at the jokes that were targeted at my generation and going over the head of my parents. What's sad is when you pull your head out of this book and look at the endless prattle of today's reality television and realize we can never return to this level of creativity just because of the economics of television. Great stuff.

Good book, and it could've been a contender. But I recommend it. Lots of factoids: Mason Williams crafted "Classical Gas" carefully, note-by-note, with the hopes of having a song he could play at parties and stun the girls. Here's another: the 1960's greeting card sentiment "War is not Healthy for Children and other Living Things" was introduced to America by Tom and Dick - and with so many responses to CBS the post office had to call them to come with several vans to pick up the letters. Lots of funny stuff: Mickey Rooney in the wings, laughing and jumping for more, when the Who exploded their instruments with triple gunpowder. And Robert Kennedy giving Pat Paulson advice on his run for the presidency. I got the book as a holiday present from my wife last week and now I carry the book and follow her around the house saying, "listen to this!" and "listen to this". Yes, it's funny. Yes, I wish he had more Paulson transcripted jokes or more Tommy & Dickie routines, and more of the context of comedy in the late '60s. And a much much much better editor. Yet, it's still a five star showcase of the passionate, creative explosion that was the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Although the biography primarily focuses on the famous TV show that nuked the then boundaries of television, there is more to this solid look at this groundbreaking show. David Bianculli opens with a section on the childhood and early steps of the brothers entering the entertainment world until their key appearance on the Jack Paar show. However, it is the deep look into each show and the battles with CBS and with other members of the show over what can be said or used on the air that makes this a fascinating biography. Finally the ultimate tribute to Tom and Dick Smothers besides bios like this one is how far they opened TV with current satire that tore into the establishment. The show was killed in its third season in 1969, but Mr. Bianculli makes a strong case that its influence remains stratospheric today in Stewart, Colbert and Maher. Harriet Klausner

The Smother's Brothers were what the country needed and the types that are still vital to our lives. It's called honesty. The network executives without the back bones or balls to weather the storm are the ones to blame for removing them from the airwaves. Anytime you have networks who live for the perks from the politicians who live for the perks from the lobbyists....well, you know the drill. The Story is good and honest, thank you for letting me grow up being forced to think, not follow like a sheep.