The Smothers Brothers

The Smothers Brothers are an American double act, consisting of the brothers Thomas ("Tom") and Richard ("Dick"). The brothers' trademark act was performing folk songs (Tommy on acoustic guitar, Dick on string bass), which usually led to arguments between the siblings. Tommy's signature line was, "Mom always liked you best!" Tommy (the elder of the two) acted "slow", and Dick, the straight man, acted "superior".

In the 1960s, the brothers frequently appeared on television variety shows and issued several popular record albums of their stage performances. Their own television variety show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, became one of the most controversial American TV programs of the Vietnam War era. Despite popular success, the brothers' penchant for material that was critical of the political mainstream and sympathetic to the emerging counterculture led to their program's cancellation by the CBS network in 1969.

The brothers continued to work, both independently and as a team, on stage and television, and in films during subsequent decades.

They officially announced their retirement from touring during their final performance at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday May 16, 2010. The affair was kept low key with some family members and friends in attendance. The Smothers Brothers toured for over 51 years.

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