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By LINDSAY BIANCHI
lbianchi@thecitizennews.com

Mom always liked them best

Dick and Tommy Smothers are a national treasure, and they’re bringing their act to Peachtree City this weekend. Their one-of-a-kind take on the American experience via music and comedy led the way for many acts to follow. In the early 60s,

The Smothers Brothers turned folk music on its ear as they injected traditional tunes with brotherly bickering and absurdist remarks. Dick played the straight man as he strummed his standup bass to Tommy’s frustrated folkie picking the occasional tune on his acoustic guitar. A dozen top-selling comedy albums help to spread the word. Eventually they were awarded with their own comedy and variety show. Soon after, it was clear that the inmates were at last running the asylum.

The trouble-making troubadours pushed the envelope more and more until CBS pulled the plug. The political content of their program which began criticizing the Vietnam war and the Nixon administration, in general, with the help of people like Pat Paulson, cost them dearly.

By the time the show was cancelled, they had already secured a place in the hearts of every malcontent in the country and continued to tour and entertain as if nothing had ever happened. Now they are preparing to invade the stage at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

It is rumored that the Yo Yo Man will make an appearance as well. For those who haven’t seen Tommy Smother’s Zen-like control of the classic toy, this should be an extra treat and cause widespread Yo Yo envy.

The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, and even Comedy Central’s The Daily Show all owe a little bit of their success to these two sharp-witted brothers.

The secret to their success is no mystery. A unique combination of classic musical harmonies, finely tuned comedic timing, and pure silliness play off each other as Dick and Tommy play off one another’s personalities. Whichever way you work it, both brothers are the essential half of the other, even if Tommy may still insist of Dick, “Mom always liked you best!”