| As one man said to his wife while filing
out of a Smothers Brothers sold-out show at the Center for Performing Arts
at Governors State University last Saturday night:
“They’ve been doing the same stuff for 45 years…and it’s
still funny.”
That’s not true. The Smothers have changed their
routine.
REVIEW
Why, they had references to “flying over the beautiful
cornfields of Illinois,” and to Donald Rumsfeld. Dickie Smothers even yelled
out, “Go Cubs,” in an obvious reference to the team winning the National
League Central division championship.
But, overall, yes, the man was right.
The Smothers essentially are doing the same act they
did in the late 1950’s, with only a few minor tweaks.
And they’re not just funny…they’re hilarious. And,
perhaps, better than ever.
Just as folks appreciate Wrigley Field more than ever
because it’s a one-of-a-kind, the Smothers Brothers are the last of the
great comedy duos.
Their humor only occasionally is political – the kind
of stuff the thin-skinned TV executives of the 1960’s couldn’t take. The
Smothers eventually were fired over it.
But by today’s standards, the Smothers are squeaky
clean. Absolutely no gross jokes.
They use no profanity, except for one routine they do
in Spanish in which Tommy responds to Dickie with, “El toro crappo.” That
translates to euphemistically, “you’re full of it.”
Most of their routine is built around physical comedy
– “Yo Yo Man” is one of the great examples – and repartee with impeccable
timing.
A video retrospective of their career is a continuing
feature.
It ends with…
“We’re still here!”
Thank goodness. And may they keep coming back. |