Rating: 
Summary: Great Memories
Review: This dvd is a history of the censorship problems the Smothers Brothers had with CBS back in the 1960's. They show some clips, talk to the Smothers Brothers and some of the writers (including Steve Martin and Mason Williams), and tell the story of the constant struggle they had to get their stuff on the air.
It's funny to look at the things they got in trouble for and compare them to what's on TV today. I also found it interesting to hear that Tommy Smothers was the real radical, always trying to get more political.
If you're too young to remember the show, it was a variety show, and they got into trouble for protesting the war in Vietnam, racism and the stupidity of the people running the country.
To me, it was worth the price of the disc just for the minute or two of Pat Paulsen. This is not a best of show, where they just show a bunch of clips, but it is an entertaining look at the show, the censorship and the 1960's.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad. but.....
Review: This gives a good overview of the story of the Smothers Bros. late 1960s show and why and how it got cancelled. Those who are familiar with the basic story behind this may learn of some new things, such as the fact that LBJ himself watched and disliked the show (you' figure he had other things to worry about like Vietnam and Civil Rights) and of the Smothers successful lawsuit against CBS. There are a few clips of the skits and on-air sermonizing that got the show in hot water, but very few. Joan Baez's speaking on her imprisoned husband, the hippy commentator's drug references, Harry Belafonte singing "Carnival" to footage of the 1968 Chicago riots (it's never clear if that footage actually aired), and Pete Seeger singing "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy and the Big Fool Says to Push On" and a snippet of David Steinberg's biblical parodies are about it. The other stuff is just talked about. More clips would help, as well as an extra of an actual episode.
Rating:
Summary: This was GREAT but where are the original shows?
Review: Wow! I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful this DVD was! I wasn't sure what to expect based on the mixed reviews here on Amazon. I loved it!
But, I must ask, where are the original shows? This DVD has enough clips (some never broadcast) that it would seem that the original series (which, oh by the way, was filmed using video rather than film cameras so the transition to digital should be SO easy!) is out there just waiting for some smart (hint, hint, hint) soul to package up, sit back and watch the dollars come flowing in!
Why isn't this happening? (I ask rhetorically but hoping for an answer somehow!)
I encourage you to buy this video BUT, if given a choice, I would buy the originals shows first! Of course since the original shows AREN'T available . . .
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