There are few U.S. network TV shows that attracted the attention of an American president, specialized in political satire and got the hosts fired when they wouldn’t back down on either one.
 
But those who remember the original Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour that aired on CBS from 1967-1969 recall how important and ground breaking that program was.
 
It hasn’t been seen much since it was suddenly cancelled after openly and continually defying network censors back in the late 60s. (Although that defiance would almost certainly seem tame by today’s standards.)
 
Now the show that was too hot for TV is coming back – but you’ll need an antenna to see it.
 
Gettv – which a subcarrier on WNYO, Channel 49 in Buffalo, has acquired the rights to the long unseen classic and will air a restored episode every Sunday night (its original broadcast evening) every week in March. (It’s not immediately clear if it will be seen after that or if this is just a one month special.)
 
The show was not only known for its cutting-edge satire, but its writing staff, which included very young then-unknowns like Steve Martin, Rob Reiner and the late Bob Einstein (later of Super Dave Osborne and Curb Your Enthusiasm fame.)
 
The other attraction was the musical guests, ranging from The Jefferson Airplane to George Harrison, Cream and Simon and Garfunkel to a censored-then-finally cleared appearance by Pete Seeger, singing an anti-Vietnam War song that sparked huge controversy at the time.
 
Then there’s Pat Paulsen running for president and Leigh French’s “Share A Little Tea With Goldie” segment, the first time marijuana was ever even remotely referred to as being OK on any TV show.   
 
If you can take a few very dated Nixon, Agnew and Vietnam war jokes, this may be well worth a watch, if only for historical – and hopefully, hysterical – reasons.

Gettv is on Channel 49.4 out of Buffalo. I'm assuming it will remain there after the repack on March 13th.

Original Smothers Brothers Returns To Broadcast TV