I read a book about them a few years ago. Two things I distinctly remember:
1.) The death of the family’s father and the mother’s subsequent downward spiral caused Tom to become very protective of Dick and their sister, which he kept up for the rest of his life
2.) CBS screwed themselves by telling the Brothers they had to submit the show earlier for review by the network and affiliates, but failed to officially notify them in writing as the contract stipulated. That’s how the Smothers Brothers won their lawsuit.
When their show was still on Tom, and just Tom, was a guest on The Johnny Carson Show. Tiny Tim was also there and had both done their interviews, then Johnny introduced an “up and coming” comedy duo, a man and a woman, for a sketch. Some sort of “I’m okay, you’re okay” self-help book was popular then and they set the sketch up, saying they’d both read it before their first date.
They each kept deferring to the other – “Where’d you like to eat?” “I dunno – where do you prefer?” – and for five minutes the date is going nowhere, eliciting a couple chuckles but no big laughs, kind of dull, really. Then as they’re shaking hands good night the screen goes black and the sound goes silent for a good six or seven seconds.
Everything comes back and the audience is howling as they take their bows and exit. The camera cuts to the desk where Tim, Tom, and Johnny are all sitting with stunned expressions on their faces. Then Tom gets a huge grin on his face. “Boy! They wouldn’t let us get away with that on our show!”
The cop was played by Bob “Super Dave Osborne” Einstein (brother of the Albert Brooks). He was apparently their go-to guy when they needed a cop in a sketch.
Here’s the Times view (gift link). It credits Smothers with being very savvy, knowledgeable about wine, and supportive of upcoming stars like Steve Martin.
I remember the first time Officer Judy showed up on the show. Hilarious. The bit’s intro said that Judy (implying Collins) was going to sing one of her big hits, but it was Officer Judy lip-syncing. There was something about his voice that just made me laugh.
I had a mad childhood crush on Tommy. I didn’t understand the political humor much in the beginning, but as I got older it made a great impression on me, much to the distress of my conservative parents. And I still say “Pat Paulsen for President.”
Steve Martin and Mason Williams are mentioned in the list of credits. As I think I recall, they were roommates at that time.
And how about Pat Paulsen’s deadpan, voice cracking editorials. He even ran for POTUS, under the banner “What this country needs is a good five cent nickel!”
