Why I Am A Smothers Brothers Fan

written by: Terrie Neilson

"I'm Chet Huntley..."

"...and I'm David Brinkley..."

Most folks old enough to know would recognize those names as the classic news anchor team. But one overnight night while watching ABC's "World News Now" around 1997 would make anyone do a double take if they weren't paying attention. Sitting at what is likely Peter Jennings' anchor desk were Tom "Chet Huntley" and Dick "David Brinkley" Smothers, with laughter in the background by the news crew for their straight-faced introduction.

It had been a few years since last I had seen them in any kind of way, which was a concert at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, in 1993. But it felt like it was just yesterday. It always seems like that with Tom and Dick if I were to ever go more than a while between TV or concert appearances.

To explain, I am a third-generation fan of the Smothers Brothers. It seems silly to think of the possibility that three consecutive generations could continue a fanship, especially in this age of constantly changing tastes and newer younger performers whose careers last a fraction of a second. My mother and her mother tuned in during the 1967-69 run of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". When 1988 came around, it was my turn to see what it was my mother had kept telling me about over the years. She remembered the fuss made about their show and its cancellation, and some of the show's memorable regular features (Officer Judy AKA Bob Einstein, Pat Paulsen, the Brothers' sibling act). But all the craziness surrounding the show didn't matter to her--the show and Tom and Dick were funny! February 3, 1988, my mother and I sat together to watch "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour 20th Reunion" and from there that was it--I've been a fan ever since, and a loyalist one at that.

Since that February day in 1988, I've channeled my fanship as a member of the 1988-90s fan club, and now have a fan page that has attracted good memories from those who have come to visit. I've also seen them live five times over the years, planning for #6 in Nashville May 2004--I have yet to experience a live Smothers Brothers show with a symphony accompaniment beyond an episode of "Evening Of Pops" years ago. I've never met them personally, but by all accounts from friends who have, I would not be disappointed with the fan-friendly experience.

Sadly my mother is not here to enjoy them with me--she passed away in 1991--but I know she would still be pleased if she were here to see them today. She and I weren't the extremely closest, but for a time at least, courtesy of a fun family act, we had something to share together as a family ourselves. In her place these days is my roommate's son, who came with me to see them at the last concert experience, October 2002, ironically at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. While he is a teenager, with current teenage tastes (Eminem, Linkin Park, anime, and cute girls among others), it's promising to notice his finding appreciation in the "oldies". And as it reads in the biography as posted on their official site, the Smothers Brothers are "an American Classic". As it should be.