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STANDING ROOM ONLY: THE FAREWELL APPEARANCE OF THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS (TV)

Summary

One in this series of entertainment programs. This special features the farewell performance of the Smothers Brothers at the Bagdad Theatre in Las Vegas. The program begins with Pat Paulsen offering a history of Tom and Dick Smothers, featuring clips of their television performances with Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, and their program, "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." Next, Tom and Dick appear in the desert discussing their careers, and Tom mentions one last performance they agreed to give, which Dick knows nothing about. Reluctantly, Dick follows Tom to the theatre and they prepare to perform for the last time as a duo. Highlights of the performance include the following: a discussion of their plans once their show business career is over; the Spanish love song, "Cuando Caliente El Sol," which is interrupted when Tom begins singing in German; performances of "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" by the Eagles, and "The Ballad of John Henry"; an explanation of why they enjoy singing madrigals; a failed attempt to perform an old English madrigal; Tom demonstrating his yo-yo skills, accompanied by the song, "Travelling Yo-Yo Man"; and Larry McNeelly performing portions of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on the banjo. The program concludes with the song, "Poor Wandering Soul" from the play "Pirates of Penzance," which evolves into a musical battle of dueling banjos between Larry and Tom.

Details

  • NETWORK: HBO
  • DATE: February 13, 1977
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:19:19
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T82:0643
  • GENRE: Comedy/Variety; Specials
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Folk music
  • SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 1976-1986
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Michael Fuchs … Executive Producer
  • Michael Brandman … Producer
  • Philip Graham Connell … Associate Producer
  • Brad Schreiber … Production (Misc.), Executive in Charge of Production
  • Marty Callner … Director
  • Don Novello … Writer
  • Susan Masters … Writer
  • David Carroll … Conductor
  • Pat Paulsen … Narrator
  • Larry McNeelly … Performer
  • Tom Smothers … Cast
  • Dick Smothers … Cast
  • Steve Allen
  • Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Johnny Carson
  • The Eagles
  • Smothers Brothers, The
  • Ed Sullivan