Smothers Bros, Mason Williams hosted by John Williams & Boston Pops

John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra welcome the Smothers Brothers and Mason Williams. This act made me a Smothers Brothers fan for life. Mason Williams' performance of "Classical Gas" with the orchestra is fantastic.

[@sylviamoya8680]

I grew up watching these two in the 60’s. Their show was hilarious, provocative for the time & just a lot of fun. May Tommy rest in eternal peace.

[@sealyoness]

My mom just loved them, and for good reason, right?

[@NotKyleChicago]

"They didn't come to watch us argue." "Some of them did." 😂😊😅

[@kcgilford518]

I loved them as a kid and never missed them on tv. As an adult, I realize now how truly talented they were as comedians, performers, musicians, and singers. The best. RIP Tommy

[@karenreardon5398]

They were a mega multi talented duo!! Brilliant!!

[@njjeff201]

Yep!! CBS fucked up big time

[@mikemahoney6840]

They were giants

[@skipbird9430]

Their timing is impeccable both in comedy and music.

[@rabbit251]

Truly talented in both.

[@patriciaheeks3790]

Classical gas by Mason Williams loved his music thank you for sharing your beautiful music with us ❤️

[@patriciaheeks3790]

Loved Tommy and Dick they were very talented and very funny rest in peace Tommy 🙏

[@maureensmith2728]

I miss Tommy he was so funny! Loved watching them growing up.

[@perrybarton]

In case anyone besides me was wondering, according to the BSO site this is from 1988.

[@pattatum1394]

Always watched Them,,,,best entertainment ever ,,,,sure do miss them! They brought sunshine every Sunday night at my house.

[@judithhand4987]

This is one of those times when it matters, you know? Thanks.

[@susantaylor9923]

They are so loved. It's on the faces of so many in the audience. Good and brave and audacious in the ticklish wonderful American way. How they are needed.

[@Greeley.d]

I almost forgot how funny and talented the Smothers Brothers were.

[@AKHWJ3ST]

My husband and I watched this many yrs ago at the beginning of our marriage. It was a running joke between us our whole marriage of 40 yr. He's been gone for 13 yrs now. When I see things like this, it makes me miss him even more.

[@600322]

This was the amusement before internet.

[@mirrage42]

And here it is ON the internet, still entertaining us!

[@yvonnesipe6377]

Lucky to hv seen them perform in person!!!! Awesome!!!!!!

[@wadesmith9275]

I had almost forgotten how beautiful real music is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@CosmosNut]

So lucky to grow up with them, priceless and at times mildly controversial. Amazing talents!!!

[@garyakirsch]

Yup. I am still pissed that abc fired them

[@trainliker100]

Some of it was more than "mildly" controversial - for the times. For example, one of the skits they censored and was never shown on TV was titled something like, "The First Interracial Marriage in Mississippi." There is the standard wedding party setup with a white bride and black groom. The minister goes through the usual vows and when he gets to the point where he would say, "The ring please." the minister instead says, "The rope please." And the groom's eyes get real big. Of course, they could have done that skit on the "In Living Color" show years later and definitely by Key & Peele nowadays.

[@garylobo348]

​@@garyakirschIt was CBS friend.

[@jamesdrynan]

They have come a long way from performing in bars with an audience of 14 people! A truly unique duo of musical comedians. A long-time fan since 1963, I never missed their iconic show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. After being fired by the network, they came back in 1988 with a special that was delightful. What a treat!

[@ralstonvmd]

Not only great comedy but GREAT singers and musicians

[@wms72]

They had an elevated musical sense in addition to their classy and clean sense of humor.

[@kenr4709]

Loved, listening to the smothers brothers when I was a teenager! Very funny and talented

[@davidsthubbins176]

Never realized Dick Smothers was such a talented vocalist.

[@MikeM275]

I never realized he could hold a note so long!

[@alaingodin4036]

Classical Gas is a classic in my books, Just a wonderful piece, masterfully played.

[@trevorbrit2300]

2024; first time I heard this; the comedy is as funny today as it was then.

[@jeffberkeley]

Loved them. Just genius comedy. Rest in peace, Tommy Smothers.

[@cherylsemrau7100]

I miss those guys. And also Classical Gas at the end. Brilliant.

[@hank1519]

This is the high water mark popular entertainment!

[@jimrebr]

This was great, I waited for Mason Williams, and Classical Gas, oh how I love the Smothers Brothers. My mom had their album “Think Ethnic”, I remember being 6-7 & asking what ethnic meant, and she explained, not that I understood back in 1961-62, but I always appreciated my mom taking me seriously, and the humor of The Smothers Brothers. John Williams is on a plain of his own, genius.

[@MrsRosencranz1]

They taught me the Venezuelan Umbrella Dance on that album. Oy!

[@jillspady6450]

I absolutely adore them. Their act is never old. I laughed until I cried!

[@glendanewton8632]

My favorite performance by them! True American treasures! Love “Classical Gas” 🌼

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

The Smothers Brothers deserve our thanks, for entertaining us during one of the darkest times in America: The Nixon Administration! Bless you guys....Mason Williams too, of course!

[@michdoug1]

Just what we need, a political comment at a non political event…..

[@christheghostwriter]

The Smothers Brothers were very political. ​@@michdoug1

[@GW3865]

​@christheghostwriter They were anti politician and dished it out all of them. I really like that Nixon hated them.

[@GW3865]

It wasn't that dark then but it seems to get a little darker each year.

[@MikeM275]

Nixon literally saved the country after Kennedy and Johnson got us so deeply involved in Viet Nam and then wouldn't let us win. Nixon saved 10's of thousands of American lives (including mine) by deciding to win the war instead of handcuffing our military. And we were winning in a landslide, it was nearly over as a win until that liar Walter Conkrite whipped up more strife in the U.S.!

[@rgjerde53]

Not sure what I like best -- their humor, or their singing. They were great at both.

[@garyakirsch]

What A wonderful quandary!

[@Eudamonia-123]

Greatest entrainment on the planet 😊

[@starchilde9560]

loved these guys since I was little. Mason Williams was a treat on top of the Boston Pops. great humor great music good times. thanks for sharing! made my night.

[@Scottie_S]

Here in Australia, the Smothers Brothers were a rare treat for me when I was younger. Every time they popped up on the tube, I had to watch them because I always knew I was in for a treat. Comedy, music and off-the-cuff moments that really made these guys the absolute fantastic entertainers that they were.

[@carolharris2357]

Me too. We got to stay up later to watch it because my parents never missed it.

[@kenschick785]

Ppp

[@donnaburch7895]

Rest In Peace, TOM

[@terrycotterman3846]

What a wonderful evening for all to see! Really glad this was recorded... FANTASTIC... AMEN

[@garyakirsch]

I second the Motion

[@judithhand4987]

Thanks to the original recorder-er-er, er, Take It!

[@gailshea2294]

Those three had to have had a wonderful time working together!!!!! 😊

[@ssake1_IAL_Research]

Timeless.

[@JGLy22086]

I never missed their show!! My son and I saw them in concert on Maui about 35 years ago. Loved Tommy’s use of the yoyo! They were so talented!

[@tryingndoing]

The Smothers Brothers had fans in our family when we came back to the States. Guffaws and love of their music made those evenings a joy... as long as we got reception on the black and white tv and kept readjusting the tin foil on the antennas. Hootenany. Lets see... Kingston Trio. Jonathan, my oldest brother, was a banjo picker and David, a yr younger brother, played guitar. (Me? Classical piano). Good times. A lot less apparent evil in our country back then. Blessings!

[@glorisyoung9696]

Mason Williams' song! Wow! Beautiful!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Such great memories of these fellas on Ed Sullivan.

[@venuestudios]

After watching SB for years, in all the wonderful humor I actually forgot just how musically talented they were. So nice to hear it all.

[@janhart1592]

They were good musicians!

[@timothysobina6777]

Showmanship at its best, musical talent, vocals, humor and the audience captured 100%!

[@michdoug1]

He will be sorely missed!

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Pianist Michael Petty can compete any time....fabulously talented orchestra members..all the guitar music was superb! Conductor Williams looked very pleased!

[@monicakenney1151]

This is such a tremendous loss to the Smothers Families and to the entire world. 🎉RIP, Tommy!

[@11calman]

Wow, I did not realize how good these two were

[@MickF04]

Dick's vocals are wonderful, and so is his timing with the comedy routines.

[@dhurban]

Smothers Brothers are among the finest entertainers/musicians in my opinion.

[@geraldineclarke5434]

Oh, I'd forgotten he was YoYo Man. Thank you for bringing back long lost memories.

[@donchandler755]

I hadn't heard anything of theirs in a long time. This was refreshing.

[@candaceroberts3238]

I never missed their show. They were wonderful, loved the music and the humor was so much better than most. They really were great and the fans loved them.

[@glorisyoung9696]

So much talent and good humor!! My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard =]

[@marycline6375]

I grew up with these guys. What a treat! T hank you for the delightful memories.

[@garyakirsch]

Where has all the talent gone? ¿Woke?

[@trainliker100]

Some years ago, I saw the "Yoyo man" bit at two of their concerts live. Just great. These guys are just treasures in the entertainment world. Wish there were more of this sort of quality and class with more of today's performers.

[@njjeff201]

Sure miss Tommy. Bless your Soul Sir. Love you!

[@donnacsuti4980]

That was fun.

[@DrDespicable]

That "Stand back..." gesture at 20:27 - kills me every time! 🤣

[@jimwinchester339]

Classical Gas: One of the most unique and strikingly original compositions to come out of the 70s. It transcends strict classification, much like a lot of the music of George Gershwin.

[@danseitsinger6737]

And he originally played it on a 12 string flat-top! He was way ahead of the times back then.

[@markwiles3485]

1968

[@terridyke8655]

Classical Gas by Mason Williams came out in 68 I believe , relate it to the summer job I had that year

[@susancervantez3336]

Something you could play for your children without censoring from profanity or explicit sexual content. True G rated comedy!! I enjoy it myself. I'm 70. 😻💕🌹✌️

[@barbbridgmon2263]

RIP Tom Smothers.

[@katherineswart5798]

Loved them and never missed a show. Stil love thwm.

[@gailshea2294]

Terrific!!!

[@AlexandreOliveira1974]

How come I have never heard of these wonderful brothers?! Not the same about Classical Gas... it's pure emotion in sound, what an amazing piece (and this version is awesome). And J. Williams and all the orchestra... Pure treasure. Greetings from Brazil.

[@auntiebobbolink]

One reason you never heard of them is because they were black-balled for speaking out with the truth.

[@auntiebobbolink]

"CBS abruptly yanked “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in April 1969 because of their persistent and humorous opposition to the Vietnam War, support of civil rights and tweaking authority. They welcomed controversial anti-war guests and resisted efforts to censor the show. The brothers weren’t allowed to use the phrase “sex education” or joke that someone was “a known heterosexual.” From apnews

[@higgme1ster]

Their best schtick was Tommy shouting to Dickey that "Mom always liked you best!" kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmHYo3ltd7qMjqs

[@PolGara0139]

Check out Tom Smother’s YoYo Man. As a kid, I always enjoyed that part & tried my best with the yo-yo tricks

[@garyakirsch]

State of yo! Oh yeah.

[@philipbaron619]

R.I.P. Tommy!

[@ClaireJohnson-te4jd]

Loved the Smothers Brothers when growing up! So baffling.

[@mikemarthaller8789]

Talent and TALENTS, on so many levels Peace ✌ ☮ I have long reflected on the politics that pulled that talent, skill, gift away from us. There were others who were so silenced

[@bushwackcreek]

Most of the memorable tunes I remember from growing up in the 60's were instrumentals: Classical Gas, Pipeline, Tel-star and Love is Blue come to mind. Back when radio stations would play songs that were many years old in addition to the current "hits". As a kid I didn't realize they were that old... even songs from 40's and my parent's generation!

[@fredherfst8148]

I laughed so hard at one of their Vegas shows…it was filthy, hilarious and sooo different from their tv show.

[@brendahartstern4565]

I had a crush on both of them!

[@CynthiaN.6005]

That was too much fun! I tried to teach my junior high self how to play it, but could never figure it out. What fun to see it now and with John Williams conducting (and he's still here!!)

[@carlstephenson8901]

All I can say after watching that is....WOW!!!

[@patriciaheeks3790]

This was fantastic thanks for your talents and your show loved it 😀

[@royordway9157]

Wow, this brought back memories, The man from yo and naked bacon. I never knew where the naked bacon line that goes through my head every day came from.

[@garyakirsch]

Omg greatest show i watched every show in black and white TV. Still hilarious.

[@hjean6ugranger590]

Always loved those guys. They really ruffled some feathers with their TV show which eventually got them canceled.

[@ericcsuf]

Hearing Mason Williams perform Classical Gas for the first time in probably 20 years or more brought tears to my eyes. The only thing that could have made it better would be if he had included a couple of verses of "How 'bout them toad suckers" or "How 'bout them hjor d'oerves? Ain't they neat? Little piece of cheese. Little piece of meat." They don't write 'em like that anymore.

[@elizabethpeterson56]

he could have played it a hundred more times and i would still b here listening. good to see and hear this man, this gem.

[@judycross7878]

Watched The Smothers Brothers when I was in high school loved them then still do. I try to catch all I can on You Tube…Never gets old. You two are so talented…

[@nancygabl5770]

Such a great memory!

[@jonstone2466]

Such comic genius.

[@Dr.Pepper001]

The Smothers Brothers are now in their mid 80's.

[@patrickcorliss8878]

Sadly Tommy has died.

[@JohnTLyon]

The man was in the yo-yo zone! I'd forgotten how funny these guys were!

[@xxxxxx-tq4mw]

I used to enjoy watching the Smothers Brothers until i was rudely drafted into the u.s.army in early 1968.

[@TheWGLOVER]

They are good.

[@mariamikaelsen4905]

I love these guys❤❤❤ who is the Oldest of these guys❤❤❤❤

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Say whatever you want about their 1-derful comedy but their vocal harmonies are so great !!!

[@timbrady6473]

I always thought President George W Bush reminded me of someone but could never name who that was. I now see who it was ,Tommy Smothers when he goes into his hilarious panicked dialogue.

[@artcflowers]

Thanks for the upload. Delightful brilliance!🎆👏👏♥️

[@terryrich7235]

So entertaining.

[@robbinmeissner697]

Next time when I don't know what to say to a person I'll just say naked bacon😂

[@DocVIImusic]

Mr. Brown, thank you for this amazing gift of music and pure talent. I am floating on a sea of wonderful memories that you have made available. I am subscribing to your channel!

[@Flyer41W]

Thanks for listening, Doc VIII. I feel the same way about this video! :)

[@patrickschneider1289]

They started their CAREERS IN GASLIGHT SQUARE ST.LOUIS MISSOURI BACK IN THE 1960'S ❤ GOD BLESS YOU !!

[@evelynhanneman2920]

Actually they first played at the Purple Onion in San Francisco in 1959. As Tom pointed out in one interview, Dick was too young to be in a bar since he was not yet 21.

[@NealFry]

Happy Birthday Hayden Panettiere

[@kronos5385]

Boy, these guys are pro's. Well rehearsed act but still somewhat spontaneous. Some excellent musicianship. Tom is the superior string player but Dick has the better voice. John Williams looks like he's having a ball. So sad that Tommy just passed but he had a full life and accomplished a lot both by himself and, of course, with his brother Dick. Glad this performance was preserved.

[@WandaSueOQuinn]

Terrific! Thanks for everything! SUZE'Q ❤😅😊🎉😮

[@xxxxxx-tq4mw]

Checking to see if they’re still around, both are, i was interested to see that their father, a U.S. Army major, died while being held in captivity by the Japanese during WW2.

[@woytinek1]

Tommy Smothers died yesterday, Dec. 26, 2023😢

[@EMomp]

I was lucky to have met Dick Smothers years ago ... awesome

[@EMomp]

I will always remember these 2!! R.I.P. This Mom here always loved you best!!😢

[@craigbritton1089]

And they didn't claim victimhood over it for the rest of their lives. Much less at every opportunity.

[@andreapanock8412]

RIP Tommy- loved your show, love both of you

[@bigdogbrunet8881]

Miss Tom smothers

[@garygilchrist1840]

Very talented and not like the flashes in the pan we see today!

[@bobtreiber8556]

What talent! Great entertainers.

[@annricher7515]

Tommy was the oldest.

[@russbilzing5348]

The best version of Classical Gas has only Mason Williams on guitar and a piano player named Tommy Smothers.