@no1strawberricherri : No, the history written on the song, in this context, is right. Harry Belanfonte, a liberal, used some of his songs here as a political satire to describe the political drama that was enfolding in the Democratic Party back then. Although the original songs have nothing to do with American politics, they really depict the drama seen on the videos. I love Harry and his music. Thanks for the upload, 'mrpenguinbob'.
The history written on the song here is wrong. It had nothing to do with US politics. 'Don't stop the carnival' actually originated in Trinidad & Tobago by the artist Lord Kitchener in 1932! Many other excerpts Belafonte used in this performance here were from Trinidadian artists who were also not legally credited; such as Lord Melody, who is the originator of 'mama look a boo boo'.
It was NOT 'liberal softies'---it was republican assholes and their sycophants and doppelgangers at CBS who censored these guys...68 was quite the year.....! These guys were fab...!
I'm glad you posted this and that it was even available. Interesting piece of US history in many, many ways. Wasn't that a time that many of us lived through!
Political issues aside, hats off to Harry Belafonte for holding that high note perfectly while the backing singers completely screwed-up the timing. That takes some concentration.
I grew up listening to Mr Belafonteeducation ....as I grew up I also saw how politically involved he was so I'm not surpised at this ...just as I wasn't surprised at ( and enjoyed) the politcal stuff the Smothers
brothers put out. With some slight changes, theback drop could be current..
@Aadancer@slabaughericka@no1strawberricherri@ImperialistRunning@Radar19792006@sheltv100 Do Thanks, thought this needed to be seen. Also discovered a more recent video featuring Melvin Van Peebles with Occupy Wall Street police brutality.Some things never change. I linked it in the description to this video, there seem to be even some imitators. Some things never change.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I don't really blame the censors for censoring the Smothers Brothers. Frankly, what was going on is that the Smothers Brothers were trying to drum up ratings for their failing ENTERTAINMENT program by intentionally provoking the censors with highly politically charged video and statements. With the Cuba situation, cold war, Vietnam, and domestic civil unrest - the censors felt that editorials didn't belong in the family entertainment hour.
I remember watching The Smothers Brothers show as a young teenager and loved it. Saw show last night on PBS about how the censors took out many segments like this one that made a statement. I was too young to pay attention to that at the time. I am so glad I saw that show so I had an opportunity to see this video. Tommy and Dick were great and still are. Will show this to my oldest son , who is a teacher and musician who plays Harry Belafonte to teach his students about various things. Thanks
@keywestforever Thanks, thought this needed to be seen. Also discovered a more recent video featuring Melvin Van Peebles with Occupy Wall Street police brutality.Some things never change. I linked it in the description to this video, there seem to be even some imitators. Some things never change.
This is a rare moment in tv history in which those liberal softies at CBS cut from the original episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. It was unseen until 1993 when E! cable tv channel showed the complete performance on the reruns of the show and i was impressed by this great clip. what a time that it was 40 years ago long before the controversial antics of Roseanne & Sinead O'Connor shocking tv viewers of many years later.
The brothers Smothers fought with the censors constantly (over politics mostly), and the fight over this segment was the beginning of the end. On the DVD, Tom Smothers says that after CBS cut this segment, they sold the vacant time to the Nixon campaign. By the next summer, the brothers were gone permanently...replaced by Hee Haw.
Are you sure "liberal softies" is the right phrase for the 1968 CBS boardroom?
This is soooooooooooooooo valuable. Good work, keep it coming!
slabaughericka 3 months ago
@no1strawberricherri : No, the history written on the song, in this context, is right. Harry Belanfonte, a liberal, used some of his songs here as a political satire to describe the political drama that was enfolding in the Democratic Party back then. Although the original songs have nothing to do with American politics, they really depict the drama seen on the videos. I love Harry and his music. Thanks for the upload, 'mrpenguinbob'.
BUTONAE 5 months ago
A song they will be singing in Notting Hill this weekend. "Oh, no, don't stop the carnival...."
ImperialistRunningDo 6 months ago
04:20 - Woman dancing about in backdrop - WINNING SCENE !!
justasilly1 7 months ago
The history written on the song here is wrong. It had nothing to do with US politics. 'Don't stop the carnival' actually originated in Trinidad & Tobago by the artist Lord Kitchener in 1932! Many other excerpts Belafonte used in this performance here were from Trinidadian artists who were also not legally credited; such as Lord Melody, who is the originator of 'mama look a boo boo'.
no1strawberricherri 7 months ago
Great song! Mr Harry Belafonte is one of the most inspired musician in the world.
Jobezto 9 months ago
Too bad about the political "hubub" that kept this off the air...is a GREAT song!
Radar19792006 1 year ago
That was a powerful performance that even the producers from CBS found it hard to swallow.
sheltv100 1 year ago
It was NOT 'liberal softies'---it was republican assholes and their sycophants and doppelgangers at CBS who censored these guys...68 was quite the year.....! These guys were fab...!
RockyMissouri 1 year ago
Thank you ....what a lovely man!...what a time...then and now...we've come so far only to be so far behind....
RockyMissouri 1 year ago
I'm glad you posted this and that it was even available. Interesting piece of US history in many, many ways. Wasn't that a time that many of us lived through!
Darasings1 1 year ago
Listen to the man sing!!!
sweetbippity 1 year ago
Probably the best integration of politics and entertainment in the history of television.
wbro366 2 years ago 3
Political issues aside, hats off to Harry Belafonte for holding that high note perfectly while the backing singers completely screwed-up the timing. That takes some concentration.
kaferere 2 years ago 3
I grew up listening to Mr Belafonteeducation ....as I grew up I also saw how politically involved he was so I'm not surpised at this ...just as I wasn't surprised at ( and enjoyed) the politcal stuff the Smothers
brothers put out. With some slight changes, theback drop could be current..
Aadancer 2 years ago 6
@Aadancer @slabaughericka @no1strawberricherri @ImperialistRunning @Radar19792006 @sheltv100 Do Thanks, thought this needed to be seen. Also discovered a more recent video featuring Melvin Van Peebles with Occupy Wall Street police brutality.Some things never change. I linked it in the description to this video, there seem to be even some imitators. Some things never change.
mrpenguinbob 3 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't really blame the censors for censoring the Smothers Brothers. Frankly, what was going on is that the Smothers Brothers were trying to drum up ratings for their failing ENTERTAINMENT program by intentionally provoking the censors with highly politically charged video and statements. With the Cuba situation, cold war, Vietnam, and domestic civil unrest - the censors felt that editorials didn't belong in the family entertainment hour.
jdohe 2 years ago
I wish they'd put the live music from The Smothers Brothers on CD.
elawton1980 2 years ago 3
"Freedom's gone and the country is not our own." No truer words have ever been sung...
elawton1980 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
elawton1980 2 years ago
A brilliant performance with a great montage. The Smothers Brothers and their friends rule!
elawton1980 2 years ago
I remember watching The Smothers Brothers show as a young teenager and loved it. Saw show last night on PBS about how the censors took out many segments like this one that made a statement. I was too young to pay attention to that at the time. I am so glad I saw that show so I had an opportunity to see this video. Tommy and Dick were great and still are. Will show this to my oldest son , who is a teacher and musician who plays Harry Belafonte to teach his students about various things. Thanks
keywestforever 3 years ago 8
@keywestforever Thanks, thought this needed to be seen. Also discovered a more recent video featuring Melvin Van Peebles with Occupy Wall Street police brutality.Some things never change. I linked it in the description to this video, there seem to be even some imitators. Some things never change.
mrpenguinbob 3 months ago
I've been seeking this for years. Thank you for putting this out here.
RCBIFE 3 years ago 5
This is a rare moment in tv history in which those liberal softies at CBS cut from the original episode of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. It was unseen until 1993 when E! cable tv channel showed the complete performance on the reruns of the show and i was impressed by this great clip. what a time that it was 40 years ago long before the controversial antics of Roseanne & Sinead O'Connor shocking tv viewers of many years later.
yogafan6500 3 years ago 2
I remember this when it was shown on E! I'm so appreciative that mrpenguinbob put this out here.
RCBIFE 3 years ago 3
Um, the REPUBLICAN run CBS cut it.
JFKReloaded167 3 years ago 2
The brothers Smothers fought with the censors constantly (over politics mostly), and the fight over this segment was the beginning of the end. On the DVD, Tom Smothers says that after CBS cut this segment, they sold the vacant time to the Nixon campaign. By the next summer, the brothers were gone permanently...replaced by Hee Haw.
Are you sure "liberal softies" is the right phrase for the 1968 CBS boardroom?
3zy 2 years ago 2