Media Thursday + The Smothers Brothers

 

Tommy Smothers, half of the Smothers Brothers, died just after Christmas.  Has any other TV series made such an impact with only 72 episodes?  Let's look at this on two levels.  First, CBS fired the Smothers Brothers because of the show's anti Vietnam War content.  CBS was getting pressure from Washington, advertisers, and several affiliates.  The show knocked "Bonanza" off the ratings heap, a major accomplishment, so the show struck with a chord with the American people.  Still, the movers and shakers didn't like it.  The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was a hot potato, so it was gone.  Rewatching clips this week, the material was funny and clever, unlike the sledgehammer style "jokes" currently on late night TV.

Second, look at the list of musical, writing, and performing talent that came out of that show:  Pat Paulsen, Jennifer Warnes, Bob Einstein, Mason Williams, David Frye, David Steinberg, Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Howard Hesseman, Allan Blye (who later produced "Sonny & Cher), Lorenzo Music, Peter Bonerz and Glen Campbell.  It was just an amazing group of people.

The late Norman Lear is given credit for helping change television and that it is true.  But, the Smothers Brothers did it first.

Tommy Smothers was 86.

Moving on...

NBC dumped the great Al Michaels from its NFL playoff coverage.  Mistake.  Even though Al lost a little off his fastball, he's still better than 95 per cent of the talent out there.  In a playoff game last year, Michaels was saddled with Tony Dungee. who brought absolutely nothing to the table.  On Amazon over the past two years, Michaels worked with Kirk Herbstreit.  Even though Herbstreit is a college expert, I didn't think he was bad.  No, I didn't pay for the Amazon games.  I did watch the replays on the NFL Network.  Al Michaels is one of the people who built the modern age of the NFL on NBC, and he deserves better.  So do the viewers.  Having said all of that,  Michaels is stuck with some awful games.  There is nothing left to prove.  He is among the best ever.  Quit.

The "Jeopardy!" producers have parted way with Mayim Bialik as host.  I didn't have problem with her.  Ken Jennings, once you can get past his thin voice, is a little better.  Just remember, the show is the star.

It's been noted here that I use sports talk radio as an escape from the real world, and the holiday season is usually death valley, with "best of" shows and weak, fill in hosts.  This year, because the NFL and major college bowl games were so prevalent on what used to be days off, the networks brought in better talent.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" on Apple TV is tragic.  The show is an American classic, and it should be on free tv, for everyone to see, as much as possible.

Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina are rapidly approaching.  Let the games begin!

HBO's "Real Sports" with Bryant Gumbel came to an end last month.  Sports journalism is over, and I've always thought Gumbel is one of the most skilled broadcasters of our time.

I know I've been down this road before, but it's a new year.  Indulge me for a moment.  I worked for Bob Yuna at the old, old, old channel 22 in the mid 90's.  Great guy.  Great boss, and I'm tickled that we are still in touch after all these years.   Bob taught me the stations that prosper are the ones that do the best job of reflecting their communities.  Be that as it may, watching my radio brethren get out in to the community thrills me.  I went to Honesdale last month to see Michael G. Stanton take his annual outdoor shower for children in need.  Prospector at Rock 107 is always out doing something.  The same goes for Doc and Chewy at Froggy 101.  The great Gary Chrisman in Williamsport has a strong, community based broadcast.  My high school friend, Jerry Padden, at Cat Country in the Lehigh Valley is on the list.    I'm sure I'm missing others in central Pennsylvania, the coal region and the Poconos.  I'm sorry.  I just don't get out that way all too often these days.  Love to see it, and I look forward to more this year.  Radio is more than a computer hard drive in a sterile,  below ground level studio.

The company that owns CBS is considering merging with the company that owns CNN.  That, dear readers, would be a news powerhouse, and it could save both news organizations.

You know FOX is drooling over the potential of a Dallas vs Kansas City Super Bowl next month.  The Cowboys have a strong national following while the Chiefs presence puts Taylor Swift in the stadium.  However, the Super Bowl is just about indestructible.  People will watch, no matter who plays.  I'll be asleep.

For some reason, several old "Man v Food" episodes and clips are popping up on You Tube.  I forgot how awful that show was.