Why was Smothers Brothers Cancelled?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a popular television variety show that aired during the Vietnam War era, faced controversy and ultimately cancellation due to a combination of factors. This article explores the political commentary featured on the show, the failure to meet deadlines, conflicts with CBS censors, deletions and edits, and the subsequent breach of contract suit. These factors shed light on the reasons behind the cancellation of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and its impact on television during a politically charged era.

Political Commentary

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour gained attention for its anti-Vietnam War skits and political commentary. The show became known for pushing the boundaries of what was considered permissible in television satire at the time. Through their performances, the Smothers Brothers criticized the political mainstream and expressed sympathy for the emerging counterculture. The controversial content of the show played a significant role in shaping its reception among audiences.

Failure to Meet Deadlines

CBS Television President William Paley officially cited the failure to meet deadlines as the reason for the show’s cancellation. However, many believe that this reason was merely a cover-up. It is widely believed that the real reason for cancellation was the controversy surrounding the show’s content. The Smothers Brothers’ penchant for material critical of the political mainstream and sympathetic to the counterculture made them a target for censorship and led to conflicts with the network.

Conflict with CBS Censors

Ongoing clashes between the Smothers Brothers and CBS’s network censors further contributed to the show’s cancellation. CBS had a policy requiring finished shows to be submitted 10 days before the air date for censoring purposes. The tensions and disputes that arose from battles over content led to strained relations between the Smothers Brothers and CBS. The Brothers’ creative freedom was often restricted, and they found themselves at odds with the network’s censorship policies.

Deletions and Edits

CBS exercised its authority to delete or edit controversial skits and comments featured on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Several instances occurred where the network removed segments that were deemed too politically charged or critical. One particular example was the edited tribute to Joan Baez’s husband, which was removed from the show. These deletions and edits had a significant impact on the creative freedom of the Smothers Brothers and further strained their relationship with CBS.

Breach of Contract Suit

In response to their show’s cancellation, the Smothers Brothers filed a breach of contract suit against CBS. They argued that the network violated their creative control and suppressed their freedom of expression. Ultimately, the Smothers Brothers won the lawsuit. However, the legal victory did not result in the reinstatement of their show. The cancellation stood, and the Smothers Brothers moved on to other endeavors.

Conclusion

The cancellation of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was influenced by a combination of factors. The show’s political commentary, conflicts with CBS censors, deletions and edits, and the subsequent breach of contract suit all played a role in its demise. Despite the controversy and cancellation, the Smothers Brothers left a lasting legacy. Their show challenged the boundaries of television satire, addressing critical issues of the time and making an impact on television during a politically charged era.

Sources

Today in Civil Liberties History. “CBS Cancels Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” https://todayinclh.com/?event=cbs-cancels-smothers-brothers-comedy-hour
Wikipedia. “Smothers Brothers.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smothers_Brothers
AP News. “The Smothers Brothers mark their CBS firing 50 years ago.” https://apnews.com/article/6e2df9337df04d459f66d519d1daa5aa

FAQs

Why was the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour cancelled?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was cancelled due to a combination of factors. Officially, CBS Television President William Paley cited the failure to meet deadlines as the reason for cancellation. However, many believe that the real reason was the controversy surrounding the show’s content, which included political commentary critical of the mainstream.

What kind of political commentary did the Smothers Brothers feature on their show?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featured political commentary that was critical of the political mainstream, especially regarding the Vietnam War. They expressed sympathy for the emerging counterculture and used their performances to challenge societal norms and address critical issues of the time.

Did conflicts with CBS censors contribute to the show’s cancellation?

Yes, conflicts with CBS censors played a significant role in the cancellation of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. The show often clashed with the network’s censorship policies, which led to strained relations between the Smothers Brothers and CBS. The network exercised its authority to delete or edit controversial skits and comments, restricting the creative freedom of the Brothers.

Were there specific instances where CBS deleted or edited content from the show?

Yes, CBS deleted or edited several controversial skits and comments from the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. For example, a tribute to Joan Baez’s husband was edited and removed from the show. These deletions and edits had a significant impact on the creative freedom of the Smothers Brothers and further contributed to the tensions between them and CBS.

Did the Smothers Brothers file a lawsuit against CBS?

Yes, in response to the show’s cancellation, the Smothers Brothers filed a breach of contract suit against CBS. They argued that the network violated their creative control and suppressed their freedom of expression. They ultimately won the lawsuit, but it did not result in the reinstatement of their show.

What was the impact of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour during its airing?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour had a significant impact during its airing. It challenged the boundaries of television satire and addressed critical issues of the time, particularly the Vietnam War. The show became one of the most controversial American TV programs of the era and left a lasting legacy in terms of its political commentary and influence on television during a politically charged period.

How did the cancellation of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour affect the Smothers Brothers’ careers?

The cancellation of the show marked a significant turning point in the Smothers Brothers’ careers. While they won their breach of contract lawsuit against CBS, their show was not reinstated. However, the controversy and attention surrounding the cancellation solidified their reputation as outspoken entertainers who were willing to challenge the status quo.

What is the overall legacy of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour?

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’s legacy lies in its role as a groundbreaking and controversial television variety show. It pushed the boundaries of what was considered permissible in television satire and provided a platform for political commentary during a tumultuous time. The show’s cancellation highlighted the challenges faced by artists seeking to express dissenting opinions on mainstream television.