Tommy Smothers!!
Tommy Smothers at the Emmys? Oh my gosh. When I was little, I memorized every routine on every Smothers Brothers comedy album. My late father got my Smothers Brothers obsession started, and I realize now that Tom and Dick Smothers were a huge influence in my growing up to be a liberal. On the surface, their comedy was based on sibling rivalry (exotic to me, as an only child) with Tommy the slightly idiotic, out-of-it brother whining about how “mom always liked you best.” But they were also old-school folkies with a strong progressive bent, which became increasingly obvious on their landmark variety series in the late 60s. There was something about them that I just adored, and tonight, seeing them looking exactly the same, with Tommy daring to speak out about the utter ignorance in American politics at this scary moment in time…it made me very, VERY happy. YES! Tell the truth, Tommy! To see my old hero introduced by the fabulous Steve Martin (his novels? genius), and then to see adorable Josh Groban sing a nutty medley of TV theme songs followed by the cast of Laugh-In (another late-60s obsession) made me think that there might be a glimmer of hope for a sane life on planet Earth after November 4.
Tags: Dick Smothers, Emmy, Josh Groban, Steve Martin, Tommy Smothers