Customer Reviews

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: Season 3

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As everyone is asking, "Where are The Best of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Seasons 1 and 2?" I spoke directly to a Smothers Brothers rep and here's what I found out. There have been delays in producing the best of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour dvd sets due to reasons unknown. I would guess that the reasons have something to do with getting all the approvals needed by the numerous guests on the shows, that is the cause of delay. Even this Season 3 is a few weeks behind schedule.

When I asked about certain musical groups appearing on this Season 3, I was happily told that The Who will not be on Season 3, but will be appearing on Season 2, which is right now in the making! I was so happy to hear that they are currently working on Season 2! This Season 2 will contain the famous performance by The Who, when Keith Moon used too many explosives and blew out poor Pete Townsend's eardrum!

Even though all 3 Seasons are being released backwards, starting with Season 3, I am still totally thrilled! The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour always had the best performers on their shows, along with great musical performances by the best groups of the time, not to mention all the political buttons they pushed for the politicians here in America!

It's certainly wonderful to hear that they are making the "Best Of" all three Seasons of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, even if they are being released starting with this last Season 3! Getting to see these shows again is certainly a rare treat!

The information I received on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Season 3 dvd set from Time Life, states that the following is included:
This 4 dvd set includes 11 star packed episodes from Season 3, that were personally chosen by Tom and Dick Smothers. These 11 shows (there were 26 shows made in Season 3, 26 in Season 2 and 20 in Season 1) are shown as they were originally intended, uncut and complete. When these shows aired in 1968 and 1969, they had sketches and performances that were cut out by the network censors at CBS. These shows will now be seen complete, as intended back in the 60's, before the censors cut them up. Tom and Dick Smothers will comment with an introduction before each show on this set also.

The guest list includes some of the better known stars: George Harrison, Harry Belafonte (Harry sings a very rare "Don't Stop the Carnival" as footage of the police brutality and riots at the Chicago Democratic Convention plays behind him- this was originally cut by network censors, and is for the first time released on this set), Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, George Carlin, The Doors, Ray Charles, Jackie Mason, Cass Elliot, Jonathan Winters, Joan Baez, David Steinberg, Ike and Tina Turner, Judy Collins and more.

Also included is the infamous "Pat Paulsen for President" television special, which includes newly uncovered, a never been seen appearance by Robert F. Kennedy. This was originally cut from the broadcast because of the Senator's assassination, that was being mourned by our nation. This is a very rare clip that shows the Senator's humorous side. This also includes bonus footage when Pat Paulsen takes a trip to the White House.

Included also, is a rare interview which was originally intended to air on the first show of this 3rd Season with baby doctor, Dr. Benjamin Spock. It was cut by network censors due to Dr. Spock's anti war activist stance. There are also many extra's that include never before seen rehearsal footage and also included is the 1968 press conference following the abrupt termination of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour by CBS. The Smothers Brothers had just signed their 4th Season contract, when CBS terminated them. Back then in 1969, everyone knew that this sudden cancellation of the show was due to the Smothers Brothers outspoken political humour and views. What we didn't know is how many sketches and performances were cut by CBS censors, which we now get to see for the first time ever! This set is going to be a real treat with 11 uncut shows and lots of bonus material, and I can't wait to see the "Best of" Seasons 1 and 2, even if they are being released backwards!

UPDATE July 2009- After waiting a little over a full year, THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR:THE BEST OF SEASON 2 is being released by Time-Life on October 20, 2009!! You can pre-order on Amazon now!

Have waited so long for this to be released and what a disappointment!
How ironic that the Smothers Brothers who faught with censors are now censoring what they release to us! I'm glad they came out with this set. But most of the episodes were about 40 minutes. These are NOT the full episodes as aired. The booklet insert talks about the first David Steinberg sermonette - the controversial one. Then it's mentioned on one of the shows when Tommy apologizes for it....but it's not included here!! We are given the second, calmer sermonette entitled "Jonah"(which of course is good). On one of these episodes, the band comes out in the beginning of the show with the signs naming that night's guests. They list Leigh French and she only appears for about 2 minutes in a very quick comedy sketch. She's not listed in the menu of the disc as a guest for that show at all. Surely she was in more of that episode than that! They did leave her in one as the weather girl, so it can't be a rights issue. She was on 18 of their shows. 6 in 1969 and 6 in 1968. Why was she cut from this one!? The menu on each disc lists only a select few guests that they warrant important enough to have included. i.e. big names like Tina Turner, Jim Morrison, Harry Belafonte. There are other guests (as is shown in each week's introductory band sequence) but some have been cut out! I'd like to be the one to decide what the "Best Of" is. Give me the entire series - whole episodes and if there's someone I don't want to see I am perfectly capable of skipping over it on the DVD. The folks wanting these are mostly the baby boomers and I remember Biff Rose and Leigh French! What an outrage that they've been cut out of this set. There are four discs here and the entire 4th one is devoted to Pat Paulson! What a waste! Would much rather have had Pat as he appeared throughout the season in the full episodes and then they could've added in the one hour special as an extra. The fourth disc should've been used for more episodes. What they've given us is good, but I'm very disappointed in the way these were released.

I wasn't even born when this show was originally on CBS. But I have been a fan of the Smothers Brothers for a long time, starting back in 1988 when they had a short-lived revival of their variety show. Having just purchased this 4-disc set (the Amazon.com information incorrectly lists it as having 3 discs), I have to say that I am really enjoying the show.

However, I have to wonder about the claims of all 11 episodes being uncut. I have only watched the first disc so far and am already noticing what I think are some cuts from the original broadcast versions. It would appear that these episodes are taken from a "Best Of" series that Entertainment Television did back in 1992. Each episode (so far) has an introduction and epilogue by Tom and Dick Smothers. In one of the episodes there are scenes shown during the epilogue from the 'Daily News' segment that were not in the episode I just watched.

I also have to wonder about the run time for each episode. If you take out the time for the 1992 intro and epilogue, you end up with about 38 minutes for most of the episodes. That seems pretty short for an hour-long variety show in 1968. Most hour-long shows from this time period were around 50 minutes. That would mean over 10 minutes cut from each episode.

There are some other editing issues that I believe have to do with the original CBS censors, but I'm not sure and can find no information online to confirm this. For instance, in one episode David Frye is doing some of his stand-up routine. It is pretty obvious that it has been cut. The segment is only 45 seconds long. And at one point there is a severe jump cut from an impersonation of William F. Buckley, Jr. to him taking his final bow with a hat that has suddenly appeared in his hands. But, as I say, I believe that this was the CBS censors' doing and not the producers of the DVD. Maybe someone else who has watched this set could let us know more about the validity of the 'uncut' claims.

Even with the possible cuts, this is still a VERY good set of DVDs. It is crammed full of extras and the show itself is funny. I'm quite impressed with the wide range of guest stars the Smothers Brothers brought on their show. I would recommend this set to anyone who is a fan of the Smothers Brothers or variety shows in general.

Yes, this *is* the Smothers Brothers, and yes it is wonderful.

But not the complete season; only 11 shows.

Yes, the scenes are original and uncensored.

But the shows are not complete! Some scenes have been omitted.

As great as this is - and it is great - you should know that you are neither buying a complete season, nor complete episodes.

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad they came out with this set. The bonus features are great. But, all I found was one uncut episode(at least I think it was) which clocked in at about 51 minutes. Other episodes were about 41 minutes. One show was 39 minutes! Even Tommy Smothers admits on the audio introduction that these shows are edited. Remember the "This Is Tom Jones" DVDs? So tell me. What is the difference between "uncensored","uncut", and "unedited"?

Definitely worth reading the reviews on this one. "julia "bluebird1028"" & "feltonfan" are on the money here.

The material itself takes its place among the greatest variety-comedy shows ever produced. It's too bad the producers of this set didn't treat it as such.

It most certainly is NOT uncensored - the prior reviewers fleshed that out well. BUT - there are some very jarring and puzzling edits here. In several places a performer's line is actually removed (bleeped) - as in lips moving but no sound - which leads one to question what exactly was used as the source material. There are a few awful edits - David Frye's routine has a particularly rough cut.

This is quite unlike the other DVD revisits to old series. In those, all episodes of a season are presented in chronological order. Not even close here. For example, at the end of episode 1, the Smothers tell us the Beatles will be on the next show. Great! Except, that episode is nowhere to be seen (music rights?), as we skip from "#202" (season 3, episode 1) to "#212" (season 3, episode 10?). Greeeeattt...

Quality is strange - vertical green sync bars on the left margin sometimes. Other times arced lines at the corners, as though we were watching on a 1950's TV. While it is reasonable to expect quality issues with material this old, compared to other DVD sets of the same era (e.g. "That Girl") the quality here is quite below average.

For those of us that grew up looking forward to the weekly installment of this show, unfortunately this will be a watch once affair. I suspect most real fans will be thrilled to see the Brothers, their guests, and the vintage performances (the west coast company of "Hair" was particularly enjoyable) but quite disappointed with the final product.

2 stars here. Shame on Time-Life for pulling the old tapes (or whatever they pulled), bringing in the Smothers Brothers for new comments and producing a product for mass sale that is basically half done.

After watching this disk, it is sadly apparent that, ironically, after 30 years, the Smothers Brothers are still getting screwed by their production company.

THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR is perhaps the one hit series ever cancelled for political reasons. Though political conservatives strive to see leftists lurking behind every bush shown on TV, the brothers Smothers wore their political beliefs on their sleeves. Though Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are leftists who mute their beliefs in political satire, Tom and Dick forty years ago provided a showcase for some of the most politically charged content in the history of television. The show was also brilliant on nearly every level. The acts were genuinely funny. The musical performances were among the most stunning ever seen on television, with famous performances by Cream and the Who. And as impressive a list of performers of all kinds as any show -- including Ed Sullivan -- could boast.

The show was one of the most widely watched on television. I would have to double check on this, but THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR might well have been the highest rated series in the history of television to be cancelled. Why? They stepped on too many toes; offended too many sensibilities. In a decade dominated by racial issues, they featured a skit about the first interracial wedding in the south, the punchline -- after the couple has exchanged their vows -- being the minister asking not for the ring but a rope.

Though the political content was integral to the show, there is no denying that it was also brilliant. Tom and Dick were a truly great act. Dick was a near perfect straight man, with Tom one of the funniest gag men ever. His act of being almost inconceivably stupid never grew tiring. Show regular Pat Paulsen became famous during this season for running for president. His campaign speeches were utterly brilliant. And the guests! Though not all will be included in this "best of" set, Season Three included a veritable who's who, including the Beatles, Nancy Sinatra, Steve Allen, Carl Reiner, the Everly Brothers, Glen Campbell, Rowan and Martin, the Jefferson Airplane, Donovan, the First Edition (with Kenny Rogers), the Doors, Steppenwolf, Ray Charles, Liberace, Victor Borge, Judy Collins, Jonathan Winters, the Righteous Brothers, Peter Paul and Mary, the aforementioned Mort Sahl, Jackie Mason, Joan Baez, and Ike and Tina Turner. A very young Steve Martin also appeared in several episodes while a very young Jennifer Warnes was a regular musical performer.

I love that DVDs are resurrecting so many great shows from the past. And this is without question one of the most popular and successful shows in the history of television. Unfortunately we've not seen a single show since this one -- with the exception of THE DAILY SHOW and Stephen Colbert's show -- to put forward a progressive political position. The cancellation of such an enormously successful show showed that prime time was not going to tolerate progressive politics. This set is essential not merely because it represents a more hopeful time, but because it contains so much absolute brilliance. It was "must see" TV before it was invented.

Tom and Dick Smothers were two innovative brothers who challenged the CBS censors during a timultuous time in American history. Their hour variety show spanned three seasons when the brothers were not cancelled, but fired for offending too many viewers. However, their comedy talents were undeniable and during their short run on the air, they gave opportunities to famous names like Rob Reiner, Steve Martin, and struggling performers like Tina Turner and George Carlin.

This collection features plenty of great moments, and commentary by the brothers. They have handpicked which episodes they wanted to be included in the Season 3 set, and they have done a good job of presenting a cohesive group of episodes. Some of the later ones reference jokes from the first few, which makes use feel like we are in on the gag. The music is a slice of life from the 60s, sometimes with well-known songs and other times with b-sides from famous performers.

My peeve is not with the shows themselves. My peeve is with the lack of completeness of the DVD. Tom and Dick express concern that their show has not aged well, and that audiences would not be receptive to seeing all of the episodes of season 3. Shouldn't the audiences be the ones to decide? Obviously there is interest if these sets are selling 40 years after the show originally aired. Also, it is quite obvious that some of the skits are cut. It would have been nice to have an uncensored look at the work of the Smothers Brothers; after all, they are very funny and very talented performers.

Of course, the briefness of this collection only leaves one wanting more. And now, here comes Season 2...

I am astounded that this compilation does not include the 2 Beatle appearences, Steppenwolf, Spanky and Our Gang and a host of other musical groups. This is the Best of Season 3 ? I think not. I realy liked the Doors, Donovan and Mama Cass. But come on, where's the rest of this compilation ?

The political movement of the late 60's was fractuous. Dissent was everywhere and the Smothers Brothers brought us together for one fantastic hour each week.This DVD brings back a lot of memories of a youth not quite squandered. I hope that more of these episodes are released. If you want to see how television could make a difference then watch these episodes and enjoy the commentary.

Wasn't a hippie then,but, could be today.
Peace