smothers

Smothers is a surname. Notable bearers include Tom Smothers and Dick Smothers, who together form The Smothers Brothers, an American folk music and comedy duo that rose to prominence in the 1960s. The brothers are best known for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which aired on CBS from 1967 to 1969. The program combined musical performances with comic banter and satirical commentary on politics and current events, and it played a significant role in the history of television censorship and satire by challenging network norms and sponsor influence. The show faced pressure and was ultimately canceled, but it is regarded as influential in the development of political satire on American television. After the show, the brothers continued to perform and record.

Beyond the Smothers Brothers, the surname Smothers has other bearers in various fields, though none have achieved the same level of national prominence. The surname is primarily encountered in the United States and parts of the English-speaking world.