Smothers Brothers - 03 - Yo-Yo Man

The Smothers Brothers with the Boston Pops from the mid 1980s.

[@terrybane6206]

Tommy was a class act. The YoYo Man......"Mom always liked you best" and so much more. Thanks for all the laughs Tommy. Rest In Peace.

[@DaveDunning-st1hh]

Isn't it wonderful, the way Dickie joins in the bit with color comentary ? What a pair ! What a team ! What love they showed us, even in their apparent sibling rivalries. How could we not relate ? How could we not love them ? They held us in their palms . We never had a chance . Enlightening and timeless as the sun itself !

[@edvallecorse2966]

So beautifully put these 87 year old eyes cried like they did when they were 3 months old.

[@SS-qo4xe]

RIP Tommy. You must have been a good man. Someone I would have loved to meet. Perhaps the longest childhood in history.

[@timmooney6910]

I used to own an official Smothers Brothers Yo-Yo Man yo-yo. Solid maple and a good quality solid string.

[@shariday9849]

I caught a glimpse of Dick Smothers looking at his brother with so much love and pride. So sweet to see.🥲❤️

[@sbunn7678]

No foul language, no F bombs, no smut, just pure comedy..genius

[@MrSkerpentine]

0% foul language 0% smut 100% pure *yo-ing*

[@thekyniche]

...something that's missing now. If your a comedy genius, as they were, you don't need foul language to get a laugh and be a legend..

[@ShmuckOnWheels]

I'm 56 years old and loved The Smothers Brothers albums even when I was real little kid. Still trying to find the album with bit where they are arguing about Dickie having a dog as a pet and Tommy had a chicken, but Tommy couldn't get the chicken to bark, so he ate it. And: I was going through a bitter hard period in life in my early 30's but got to see these classic comics at the Puyallup Fair in Washington State and it totally lifted my spirits. Melted my cynicism and heart and I laughed my ass off.

[@elisabethvalade9866]

That's great!! It helps put stuff into perspective. I DO remember that, same as you do.

[@arthurgran731]

Comedy at it's most delightful and purest form. What a duo!! The straight man and the mischievous goof.... timeless!

[@suave605]

Arthur Gran ahh kids like you never grow up..

[@karlfisher1864]

Hey, don't call Dickie a goof. He was trying his best. Gotta love Tom Smothers. K

[@tomcoughlin7582]

😊😊

[@W2ICA]

Where in the hell did classic funny clean tv ever go? If anyone finds it hiding someplace convince it to come back to the screen. Smothers brothers are awesome.

[@rogerrobin2774]

We’ll, they were kicked off their television show for not being “clean” enough. I guess it’s all a matter of time, context and perspective.

[@josephtoohey2088]

My understanding was political controversy like in 1969 when taken off the air for mentioning about the V War. Seems like fun family entertainment to me. Yo-Yo Man is what I first remember as a child. I had a red Smothers Bros Red Yo-Yo

[@nancybadolato8419]

They were clean enough - they were just too political according to those with no sense of humor, i.e., Johnson & Nixon.

[@NipItInTheBud100]

Smart comedians disappeared…and these guys were smart!

[@DaveDunning-st1hh]

CBS got complaints about David Steinberg's mock 'sermon'. Steinberg being Jewish . Network told Tommy not to let Steinberg do anything like that again. In defiance, Tommy invited Steinberg back to specifically do another mock 'sermon'. Corporate dominance hierarchy can't tolerate deliberate defiance. They are trying to pass off dominance as if it were respectable authority. So they sacrificed the highest rated show they ever had......... That's show biz. 🙄

[@LLewis-vu9qf]

What a great demonstration!! 👏👏👏 I had never seen this before (and I'm OLD!) I loved the yo yo tricks but especially liked that they sang the song straight with no goofy asides by Tommy. They sang such wonderful harmony. I wish they did more of that.

[@blazecal]

I never much liked them when I was a kid but either they or me got mellower over the years. There's a clip of Tommy doing a Johnny Carson impression on KZbin that's pretty damned funny.

[@sthornburgh8]

I remember this episode of The Boston Pops well. I watched it with my 3-year old son in the late 80's and he absolutely loved this performance. I taped it and he replayed it over and over. For years afterwards he'd do the big finish, "Yoooooo - Yoooooooo! Whop!" Still makes me smile to this day. Wonderful showmen.

[@STaylor127]

I taped this episode too! Two of my favorite things together: Boston Pops and The Smothers Brothers!

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

I love these guys! Their TV show was good clean fun too! You won't find ANYTHING today with such broad appeal. Kids, parents, old folks... Anyone could enjoy the Smothers Brothers.

[@almilani4300]

The ultimate entertainers

[@trainliker100]

Saw them do this at the local county fair some years back. Of course, the accompaniment was only the pianist, but it was excellent. We had to go back the next night to see the act again. This is quality and class that is getting harder and harder to find nowadays.

[@chasemcnamara]

my grandpa had these guys on vhs.....use to watch them all the time ....it was a whole different era

[@arlettasloan6453]

That's one I've not seen before. I used to love these guys so much!

[@susangoryan1774]

I saw them on their tour some years ago or so when their new TV show was a huge hit. Including the yo-yo man.....Never laughed so hard in my life. They were funny from beginning to end. They were in the lobby signing autographs before the show started. Love these guys.

[@jbthor9032]

Hahaha 🤣 that was great 👍 I never forget the Smothers. YO

[@roseblake5803]

This is the man that played guitar for John and Yoko’s Give Peace A Chance sleep in video. Tommy is extremely talented.

[@SusanSez1]

I love these two!

[@TonyHickschick]

I have an interesting story. My sister, back in the 70's, was working at a department store. Tommy came in and asked her where the toy department was. He came back and said,"what is a toy department without a yo yo?"

[@olafhenderson495]

THANK FOR SHARING

[@19LJH62]

I loved this excerpt from the show. These two are the ultimate Brothers.

[@adambemister2490]

Good clean family entertainment, and the yo-yo tricks where always a treat. The Smothers Brothers certainly knew how to please an audience.

[@timeoutmccolton7759]

This was REAL entertainment. Sadly, with the dumbing down of our society, people would find this boring now.

[@Freebyrd1991]

@@timeoutmccolton7759 you should KZbin what tricks they can do with yoyos now and then tell me about the dumbing down. This act is literally keeping you dumb to this day lol

[@suzieque4287]

I loved their show. So funny.

[@DebC56]

There may have been a question about which one Mom loved best, but Tommy Smothers has always been my favorite!!

[@elisabethvalade9866]

Yep!!

[@patriciamooney928]

One of my favorite comedy skits ever.

[@herbertdonnellgrayiii4305]

He was the best. Tried to emulate it at home with my own yoyos right after the end of his routine each week on their variety show. RIP Tom

[@rodbelt11]

I miss this great, great music and comedy sooo much. It was so pure...!

[@LadieBug357]

i clicked "like" because there's no "love" button!

[@clancypool3160]

Awesome great clean comedy they will forever be in my heart

[@Butturfli1900]

he is just as good as he ever was. i saw them perform a couple weeks ago. my side hurt from laughter!

[@iagrl]

I remember Tommy doing his yo yo man on TV when I was younger. He was really good at it and knew how to make it funny. They were classic until the censors dropped them. I love the show where Jim Stafford flipped the bird. Classic!!!1

[@deepfielder]

I love it.

[@nancygrovum7616]

I love these guys! He does wonders with that yo yo! They are amazing!!😅

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

This is as good as it gets!

[@arthurjones857]

Is anybody old enough to remember Duncan Yo-Yos.

[@jamesjanson2038]

Walk the doggy

[@PassTheSnails]

They still exist, bought some the other day

[@wayneyadams]

Sure do. I was in fifth grade in 1958-1959 when the craze hit its peak. I remember seeing the Duncan Yo-Yo Man on TV. That same period was when the Hula Hoop and the top both became crazes.

[@wendymccourt9979]

I had a Cheerio YoYo, won contests with it. Duncan YoYo came after the Cheerio YoYo. Mine had diamonds in it (fake diamonds) Still have my YoYos and I am 75 years old. Great fun. I did all those tricks Tommy did but I had trouble with the babys cradle, over the falls, walk the dog, round the world can't remember a few more.

[@kwamerusso4151]

Does 17 yrs old count cause I still love Duncan

[@harleykingman]

WHEN TOMMY DOES JOHNNY CARSON I CRY LAUGHING SO HARD !!!

[@Madmen604]

Amazing yo yo man♥️.

[@IIVVBlues]

National treasures - both of them.

[@dennisdunston6762]

Love it.

[@docrosko]

When I was a kid in the 80's my mom made us do the "mom liked you best" routine. Thanks for the video. Loved it.

[@robertbishop5357]

Growing up one of my favorite toys.

[@bullshttttttt]

Love the Smothers Brothers.

[@Jourell1]

from their website, they've been performing professionally as the smothers brothers since 1959

[@monkmchorning]

We used to watch them on Hootenanny. My dad was a big fan until they got political. I understood what they were doing but never was into polemics.

[@LadyDragonsblood]

I can CLEARLY remember when I was in elementary school in the VERY early 70's when the Duncan Yo-Yo man came to the school.... we all got a free Duncan Imperial yo-yo, mine was blue... I kept it for years. I can remember he could make that yo-yo do AMAZING things!

[@normanacree1635]

Hard to believe they would do that but if enough of you got interested, it meant more sales. But an IMPERIAL? Wow.

[@heidiho7694]

How lovely it is to laugh and enjoy comedy without constant sexual innuendos and filthy language...the good ole days

[@nancygrovum7616]

So awesome! His yoyo tricks are amazing ❤!

[@williambragg5064]

I really miss the Smothers bros I enjoyed everything they did, especially their political satire.

[@michaelhardin470]

Simply superb.

[@wcd47]

If you all ever get the chance... They had a album called "Smothers Brothers Play It Straight".... They are great artists.......

[@nancygrovum7616]

Absolutely love these guys!

[@kitsober7458]

Heart felt comedy that was simply delightful (no meanness to anyone or anything). Love those guys. Precious. Thanks for posting this.

[@gregoryjanuszczak4250]

that was nutz (and i'm from the 60's)

[@donfilkins298]

I heard about the yo yo man for years. finally saw it . what a treat . awesome.

[@ElConquistador39]

just remembered watching this episode and typed it in. it was there. Amazing.memories

[@HETFIELD]

Haha, I forgot the dance. It has to have been 35 years since Ive seen this and I'm almost 43.

[@oneeyedman99]

For those like me who were looking for the version that was a regional hit in the South in 1974, it's by Rick Cunha and can be found on KZbin with the title "(I'm a) Yo Yo Man". It was also recorded in 1971 by Mason Williams, who had an interesting dual career as a classical guitarist and comedy writer for the Smothers' TV shows.

[@delcameron]

WOWOW!!! i'm lovin this!!

[@mommyeyes]

When I was a kid my dad had a video called YoYo Man and it was a video of Tommy doing yoyo tricks.

[@zamstrom]

He is the greatest yoyoer to ever live. I loved every second of this.

[@elisabethvalade9866]

But he didn't even "Walk the dog," here. I used to practice and practice until I cld do it, and the "Around the world" one. Pretty silly for a GIRL to want to yo-yo.

[@Sweeshaman-ix4fo]

Tom smothers was the inspiration for me to become a demonstrator

[@relsba]

I remember years ago in gradeschool every year the Duncan yo-yo man would come to school to show us how “easy” it was. Every year I bought one. Not so easy for me.

[@KathrynTanner-t8f]

Remember the yo-yo fads coming around when I was a kid. Everyone had one, few were good at them. I was proud of myself when I actually got one to come back up the string!

[@priscillareddy2222]

love em!

[@brendapetersen364]

That was cool!

[@jamesdrynan]

Initially a gag sketch for the 1988 Smothers' show, Tom's idea of using the Yo- Yo to teach life lessons was a genius concept. First, the YY man didn't talk.

[@CatTerrist]

The Yoyo Man in a new state of Yo RIP to a real one

[@tumblingtat]

The Smo Bros Rock!

[@terryrich7235]

Just watched our family video. In the Bahamas, they have a “yo-yo season” as my son was told to put his yo-yo away, it was “tops season.” SpinningTops were large & handcrafted from wood.

[@dinerdave52]

I totally lost it the first time I saw this... Thanks for posting it.

[@Samps432]

haha wow the guitar in the beginning was so cool :)

[@steveforrester7653]

YOYYO!

[@ValreeShoe]

Fun! Thanks for posting this!

[@kirklindholm8450]

I have several Duncan Yo-Yos. But the Duncan I’m looking for is the Duncan Whistling Yo-Yo

[@willschlemmer5611]

I've got 2 of the smothers bros yoyos

[@mrveritas700]

CLASSIC!

[@Mike-226]

RIP Tommy, you will be missed.

[@joantaylor7117]

When America was Great!

[@normanacree1635]

If it was so great, why did the Brothers spend so much time criticizing the government? Hmmmmmm....... Part of what makes this country great is being able to speak your mind.

[@timelliott4117]

Pure entertainment. Like Carson their talent was not overwhelming, but they knew how to use what they had and present it in a manner the public loved. No swearing no drugs no hidden agenda. The best showmen are able to illustrate that it's because of their fans they are entertaining, always showing humility to the audience.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

I think you have complete missed the amount of influence they had on television and comedy and music in general. Not only was their singing and specifically Tommy's guitar playing superb. Their topical comedy was presented with fantastic timing and showmanship. Your comment that "their talent was not overwhelming" couldn't be more misplaced.

[@timelliott4117]

I don't know who they may have influenced, I just wanted to comment that I enjoyed their performances.@@stevenmeyer9674

[@Emophiliac2]

It is sad that they no longer perform that song during their performance. I prefer it a lot more than the song they are using now. It makes me wonder why they had to drop the song.

[@kariroletter9040]

These guys are heroes. They really are.

[@bobroberts2482]

Kari Roletter They’re Communists.

[@normanacree1635]

@@bobroberts2482 And you say that because..........Oh, I know, because they don't believe everything you do. Any other evidence?

[@slkshewolf]

Rest Easy Yoyo-Man 🪀

[@Emophiliac2]

It was sad when they stopped using this song and went with some new song. You can still hear this song off Mason William's 'Handmade' album, though.

[@MrTuireland]

Thanks for posting

[@bcbcbcbudsbudsbuds]

they aged crazily well lol

[@RicoBurghFan]

Such genius

[@PeterVJaspersFayer]

Ahh... Memories.

[@Melanie220]

Rest in peace, Tommy. 😢 (December 27, 2023)

[@Emophiliac2]

They had a different song that they used in Salinas, CA back in the mid-90s and I believe they used the same, new song when I saw them in Salt Lake City, UT around 2000. I haven't seen them since, so it would be great if they went back to the original.

[@justinthymes5680]

Very cool.

[@joyceilves7973]

justin thymes

[@freecatpaws]

feel the yo.....makes ya smile

[@markcruiser64]

I had an official yo yo and VHS tape for the Yo-Yo man. I wonder if anyone has uploaded it. I love the music.

[@sylgod2008]

I had a Smothers Brothers album back in the 60's and it had them singing Dance boatman, Dance does anyone have that album? It was so funny and I don't know what happened to it. thanks sylgod2008

[@whoiskcwhat]

Wow, brothers...

[@RandiRain]

Remember them? They still make them.

[@JoshFreilich]

They did it when I saw it at Peekskill.

[@RCBIFE]

RIP Tommy Smothers

[@NipItInTheBud100]

R.I.P Yo-Yo Man!

[@aaronroffman3987]

Seems the Yo-Yo master really did make him a Yo-Yo man after all!

[@normanacree1635]

There are yo yos now that almost do their own tricks. I wonder how advanced Tommy's yo yos were compared to more modern ones.