Tom Smothers, Pioneer of Political Satire on TV, Dies at 86

His groundbreaking show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, challenged CBS censors and transformed television comedy.

Tom Smothers, one half of the Smothers Brothers, passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with cancer.
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which aired on CBS from 1967 to 1970, was known for its sharp humor, political satire, and relevance, attracting a young generation and counterculture.
The show was a turning point in television history, introducing political satire and social commentary, and featuring young rock stars and daring sketches that criticized the Establishment and the Vietnam War.
Despite its popularity, the show was abruptly canceled by CBS in 1970 due to ongoing battles with the network over creative content and censorship.
Tom Smothers' legacy continues to influence modern television, having blazed a path for political satire and freedom of speech on TV.