The myth of the The Smothers Brothers Show is that is was ultra-popular and let go by CBS because the Smothers brothers refused to cave in to network censors.
In reality, the Smothers Brothers were NOT that popular a show. They started out popular, but as they became more and more involved with controversy and they started losing their fan base to NBC's Bonanza. By the time CBS let them go, they were no longer pulling in the ratings and were replaced by what proved to be the mega popular Hee Haw.
Ironically, two years later CBS dumped ALL its country-western comedy shows, despite their popularity, and brought in real-world shows, the most popular of which was "All in the Family" which approached subjects the Smothers Brothers never dared touch!
In reality, the Smothers Brothers were NOT that popular a show. They started out popular, but as they became more and more involved with controversy and they started losing their fan base to NBC's Bonanza. By the time CBS let them go, they were no longer pulling in the ratings and were replaced by what proved to be the mega popular Hee Haw.
Ironically, two years later CBS dumped ALL its country-western comedy shows, despite their popularity, and brought in real-world shows, the most popular of which was "All in the Family" which approached subjects the Smothers Brothers never dared touch!