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DLNews Entertainment:

Tom Smothers, the man who made us laugh with his guitar, his yo-yo, and his brother, left us at 86. He died peacefully at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

His brother and partner in comedy, Dick Smothers, said in a statement: “Tom was the best big brother anyone could ask for. He was also a brilliant comedian and a fearless innovator. We had a great chemistry on and off stage. We were like an old married couple — we bickered, hugged, and loved. We were truly blessed.”

I grew up watching them in the 60s when they were the coolest thing on TV. They started their show in 1967, right in the middle of the Vietnam War. They didn’t shy away from poking fun at the powers that be or speaking up for the peace and love generation. They had the hottest musical guests, like the Who and Buffalo Springfield. They were so popular they even beat Bonanza in the ratings.

But they were too hot for CBS, who pulled the plug on them in 1970, claiming they missed a deadline for the censors. But we all know the real reason: they were too bright, funny, and honest for the network suits.

Tom Smothers was a legend, a pioneer, and a hero. He made us laugh, he made us think, and he made us better. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.