Thursday, December 28, 2023

Tom Smothers, Musical Comedian of Smothers Brothers Fame, Dies at 86

Tom Covers, one portion of the Covers Siblings melodic satire pair, passed on Dec. 26 in St Nick Rosa, Calif. because of malignant growth. He was 86.

Dick Smothers, Tom Smothers' younger brother and co-star on "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," announced that Tom passed away at home with his family.

Dick Covers said in an explanation, "Tom was not just the caring more seasoned sibling that everybody would need in their life, he was a unique imaginative accomplice. I'm perpetually thankful to have spent a lifetime along with him, here and there stage, for north of 60 years. Our relationship resembled a decent marriage — the more we were together, the more we cherished and regarded each other. We were really honored."





Tom Covers, one portion of the Covers Siblings melodic parody couple, passed on Dec. 26 in St Nick Rosa, Calif. because of disease. He was 86.

Covers' more youthful sibling and co-star of "Covers Siblings Parody Hour" Dick Covers reported that Tom passed on at home with his loved ones.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," a statement from Dick Smothers read. I will always be grateful to have known him for more than 60 years, both on and off stage. The more time we spent together, the more we loved and respected one another. Our relationship was like a good marriage. We were genuinely honored."


Tom and Dick Covers were known for their melodic satire act in which they performed people tunes on acoustic guitar and twofold bass, separately, and talked together. Senior sibling Tom was known for his unmistakable line, "Mother generally loved you best."

The kin are likewise associated with injecting social analysis into their humor; " Covers Siblings Satire Hour," which ran for three seasons on CBS, became questionable for its political studies and compassion to nonconformity in the midst of the Vietnam War time. The show was unexpectedly dropped by CBS in 1969 in what was broadly viewed as a politically roused move by the organization under tension from President Nixon's White House.

CHEYENNE, WY - OCTOBER 1: The oldest member of the Smothers Brothers comedy and music duo, Tom Smothers (born 2-2-37), performs with his brother Dick on October 1, 1987, at the Cheyenne Civic Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The CBS "Covers Siblings Parody Hour" network show was dropped in 1969 in view of its parody contrary to the Vietnam War, support for social equality and hostile to tyranny. The siblings were granted the George Carlin Opportunity of Articulation Grant in 2003 and were drafted into the TV Foundation Lobby of Acclaim in 2010. ( Photograph by Imprint Junge/Getty Pictures)
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Tom Covers, one portion of the Covers Siblings melodic parody team, kicked the bucket on Dec. 26 in St Nick Rosa, Calif. because of disease. He was 86.

Covers' more youthful sibling and co-star of "Covers Siblings Satire Hour" Dick Covers declared that Tom kicked the bucket at home with his loved ones.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," a statement from Dick Smothers read. I'm perpetually thankful to have spent a lifetime along with him, here and there stage, for north of 60 years. Our relationship resembled a decent marriage — the more we were together, the more we cherished and regarded each other. We truly enjoyed ourselves."


Tom and Dick Covers were known for their melodic satire act in which they performed people tunes on acoustic guitar and twofold bass, separately, and talked together. Senior sibling Tom was known for his unique line, "Mother generally preferred you best."

The kin are additionally associated with mixing social critique into their humor; " Covers Siblings Satire Hour," which ran for three seasons on CBS, became dubious for its political investigates and compassion to nonconformity in the midst of the Vietnam War time. In 1969, CBS abruptly canceled the show, which was widely regarded as a political decision made under pressure from the White House of President Nixon.

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Thomas Bolyn Covers III was brought into the world on Feb. 2, 1937, on Lead representatives Island in New York yet the siblings were brought up in California, and both went to San Jose State College. He started performing close by his more youthful sibling at an early age, in the long run integrating satire into their society exhibitions. The two made their huge presentation at San Francisco's acclaimed Purple Onion dance club and delivered a few collections, riding the rush of people music and satire collections in the mid 1960s. The siblings' most well known collections were recorded for the Mercury mark, including "The Different sides of the Covers Siblings," "The Covers Siblings Play It Straight" and "It Must've Been Something I Said."

Prior to handling their own CBS show in 1967, the siblings were highlighted on "The This evening Show" with Jack Paar, "The Garry Moore Show" and "The New Steve Allen Show."

Reiner rushed to honor Tom Covers via virtual entertainment, acknowledging him for assisting with sending off his vocation as an entertainer and movie producer.

In 1968, Tommy Covers culled me out of the comedy bunch, The Panel, and gave me my most memorable composing position for his show. Tommy was entertaining, savvy, and a contender. He made a momentous show that commended all that was great about American Majority rules government. We cherished you best, Tommy," Reiner wrote in a post on X.

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Dec 27, 2023 9:30am PT
Tom Covers, Melodic Joke artist of Covers Siblings Notoriety, Bites the dust at 86

By Jaden Thompson

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CHEYENNE, WY - OCTOBER 1: Tom Covers (b. 2-2-37), the oldest of the Covers Siblings music and satire couple, plays his guitar in an exhibition with his sibling Dick at the Cheyenne Metro Center on October 1, 1987 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The CBS "Covers Siblings Parody Hour" TV program was dropped in 1969 on account of its parody contrary to the Vietnam War, support for social equality and against dictatorship. The siblings were granted the George Carlin Opportunity of Articulation Grant in 2003 and were enlisted into the TV Foundation Corridor of Popularity in 2010. ( Photograph by Imprint Junge/Getty Pictures)
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Well known on Assortment

Tom Covers, one portion of the Covers Siblings melodic parody couple, passed on Dec. 26 in St Nick Rosa, Calif. because of disease. He was 86.

Covers' more youthful sibling and co-star of "Covers Siblings Parody Hour" Dick Covers reported that Tom kicked the bucket at home with his loved ones.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," a statement from Dick Smothers read. I'm perpetually thankful to have spent a lifetime along with him, here and there stage, for north of 60 years. Our relationship resembled a decent marriage — the more we were together, the more we cherished and regarded each other. We were really honored."


Tom and Dick Covers were known for their melodic satire act in which they performed people tunes on acoustic guitar and twofold bass, separately, and chatted together. Senior sibling Tom was known for his particular line, "Mother generally loved you best."

Additionally, the siblings are remembered for their humor that included social commentary: Covers Siblings Satire Hour," which ran for three seasons on CBS, became questionable for its political studies and compassion to nonconformity in the midst of the Vietnam War time. In 1969, CBS abruptly canceled the show, which was widely regarded as a political decision made under pressure from the White House of President Nixon.

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Thomas Bolyn Covers III was brought into the world on Feb. 2, 1937, on Lead representatives Island in New York however the siblings were brought up in California, and both went to San Jose State College. He started performing close by his more youthful sibling at an early age, ultimately integrating satire into their people exhibitions. The two made their big debut at the Purple Onion nightclub in San Francisco and released several albums during the early 1960s, riding the wave of folk music and comedy albums. The siblings' most well known collections were recorded for the Mercury mark, including "The Different sides of the Covers Siblings," "The Covers Siblings Play It Straight" and "It Must've Been Something I Said."

Prior to handling their own CBS show in 1967, the siblings were highlighted on "The This evening Show" with Jack Paar, "The Garry Moore Show" and "The New Steve Allen Show."

On social media, Reiner quickly paid homage to Tom Smothers and credited him with launching his career as an actor and filmmaker.


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"In 1968, Tommy Covers culled me out of the comedy bunch, The Council, and gave me my most memorable composing position for his show. Tommy was entertaining, savvy, and a warrior. He created a groundbreaking show that highlighted American democracy's positive aspects. In a post on X, Reiner wrote, "We loved you best, Tommy." Smothers was praised as "an extraordinary comedic talent" by Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. The creation group on "The Covers Siblings Parody Hour" was a springboard for such satire whizzes as Steve Martin, Burglarize Reiner, Lorne Michaels and David Steinberg.


"Tom Covers was not just an uncommon comedic ability, who, along with his sibling Dick, turned into the most persevering through parody couple ever, engaging the world for more than sixty years - yet was a genuine boss for the right to speak freely of discourse, outfitting the force of satire to push limits and our political cognizance," Gunderson said.

He went on to say, "Tom was a true pioneer who changed the face of television and transformed our culture with 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,' which satirized politics, combated racism, protested the Vietnam War, and set the stage for 'Saturday Night Live,' 'The Daily Show,,' and so many other late-night network shows today." We were pleased to free Tom and Dick once again from retirement and rejoin them in front of an audience in 2019 to commend their amazing vocations, and we are respected to save Tom's striking work and heritage here at the Public Parody Place for a long time into the future."

"The Covers Siblings Satire Hour" was likewise known for drawing in top melodic craftsmen of the period including the Who, Simon and Garfunkel, Steppenwolf, Mom Cass Elliot and Judy Collins.

"The Covers and their group of journalists tried control limits by displaying dubious political substance, most of which zeroed in on contemporary enemy of war subjects as well as racial equity, drugs, and other scandalous humor. [' Covers Siblings Satire Hour'] featured social cognizance and interesting ideas, which it presented by means of comedic mediums, while spanning the age hole by including both laid out specialists and new ability," as per a new College of California at St Nick Barbara article on the series and its effect.


"During the show's third season in 1968-69, the Covers progressively scraped against network restriction welcomed on by political tensions. The show was eventually dropped in 1969 by network Chief and President William Paley, with the explanation given that the Siblings neglected to meet pre-air episode conveyance dates. Accordingly, Tom and Dick documented an effective claim against CBS, demonstrating they had met all agreement prerequisites and had been dropped unreasonably. Tragically, the first ['Smothers Brothers'] always avoided the air."

In 2010, Dick Smothers and Tom Smothers were both inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. After deciding to remove his name from the ballot for the 1969 Emmys out of fear of causing controversy, Tom was given an Emmy for his writing contributions to "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 2008, which came after he had previously chosen to withdraw. In 2008, the commemorative award was presented by Steve Martin.

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