'Smothers Brothers,' 'My Three Sons' among DVD releases
"The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: The Best of Season 3" (TimeLife, 1968-69, four discs, $49.95). This is the show for which Tom Smothers was honored with a special Emmy a couple of weeks ago, a comedy-and-music variety program with the brothers' patented smart-guy/dumb-guy sibling rivalry — which no one has ever done better.
But this "Comedy Hour" also became famous for taking on political targets, especially two of the leading issues of the day — racism and the Vietnam War — which caused quite a stir at CBS, infuriating the censors and eventually resulting in the the Smothers Brothers being fired.
The emphasis here is on some of the hot-button episodes (all from the show's final season, though these are the first to be released on home video). But don't think that detracts from the hilarity that was inherent in the program. This is funny, biting stuff ... and by today's standards, remarkably tame.
Comedy guests include Bob Newhart, George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Jonathan Winters, David Steinberg and Steve Martin, who was a writer on the show. And, of course, Pat Paulson, whose faux presidential campaign was a staple. Some of the period's great musical acts also show up — Harry Belafonte, George Harrison, The Doors, Donovan, Ray Charles, Cass Elliott, Joan Baez.
True, this is informative and especially interesting for history buffs ... both in terms of recent national history and the history of television. But first and foremost, this is highly entertaining and frequently very funny stuff. Let's hope more will follow — including full-season sets!
Extras: full frame, 11 episodes with introductions and post-show discussions, deleted scenes, audio commentaries (by Tom Smothers), special programs: "Pat Paulsen for President" and "Aspen Comedy Festival 2000: Smothers Brothers Reunion," featurettes, interviews, press conference, promos, photo galleries; 16-page booklet
"My Three Sons: The First Season, Volume One" (CBS/Paramount, 1960-61, three discs, b/w, $39.98). Like Robert Young in "Father Knows Best" (which overlapped with this show), Fred MacMurray was the perfect dad, in this case a widower raising three sons (Tim Considine, Don Grady, Stanley Livingston), with help from his crusty father-in-law (William Frawley). These earliest episodes of the long-running series are amusing and nostalgic, and predate those currently shown locally on Channel 11 (which are in color and feature William Demarest, who replaced Frawley in the fifth season).
Recent comments
I don't know if our comments have to be about My Three Sons or not…
Anonymous | Oct. 6, 2008 at 9:19 p.m.
I wonder if the Smothers Brothers - who I loved in the 60's - will…
katamb-midvale | Oct. 6, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.
You neglected to list a BIG one coming out (10/7/08): "The Beverly…
Steve - The Beverly Hillbillies | Oct. 6, 2008 at 4:10 p.m.
