Tommy Smothers was one half of the comedy and music duo the Smothers Brothers, performing for nearly his entire career with his brother Dick. On September 10, 1967 CBS censored Pete Seegar's anti-war song “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” during “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” The network claimed the lyrics were an insult to President Johnson. This event was a landmark decision for television and affected the brothers' career.
Lucille Ball and The Smothers Brothers often appeared on the same variety and awards shows together, although not at the same time. They were involved in "Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary Special" (1970), "The Ed Sullivan Show Georgie Awards" (1970), "Dinah Shore's Like Hep!" (1969). "The Dean Martin Show" (1970), "Zenith's Salute to 25 Years of Television" (1970), "Jack Benny's Carnival Nights" (1968), and "John Wayne's Swing Out Sweet Land" (1972).
The brothers were mentioned on the very first episode of "Here's Lucy" (1968). When Harry balks about hiring family, Lucy says “Suppose the Smothers Brothers didn't hire relatives. We'd only have one Smother!” A month before “Here's Lucy” premiered, CBS presented a four episode series titled “The Summer Smothers Brothers Hour.” Season 3 of their popular variety show premiered a week later.
When Mr. Mooney sees Lucy and Viv reunited in "Lucy and the Lost Star" (1968), he calls them the 'Smothers Mothers'.
