Tom Smothers, the elder half of the iconic Smothers Brothers comedy duo, known for their hit CBS variety show in the late 1960s, passed away on December 26 at his residence in Santa Rosa, California. He was 86. The National Comedy Center, representing Mr. Smothers’s family, announced his death. Tom had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

Despite their clean-cut and seemingly wholesome appearance with matching blazers, the Smothers Brothers, initially folk singers with Dick on string bass and Tom on the acoustic guitar, became unexpected provocateurs. They ventured into satire, especially targeting politicians and the Vietnam War, incorporating witty banter rooted in their sibling rivalry. Tom Smothers once remarked that developing material was easy because they had been “arguing from the time that we could talk.”

The famous catchphrase “Mom always liked you best!” not only became Tom Smothers’s signature line but also served as the title of their 1966 album. Before helming their own network variety show, the Smothers Brothers were a prominent nightclub act and frequent guest stars on late-night TV programs.

In 1967, CBS brought the brothers on board to create a variety show for the coveted Sunday night slot, pitting them against NBC’s top-rated “Bonanza.” Although the network promised Tom Smothers “creative control,” the phrase never made it into the contract, as highlighted by TV critic David Bianculli in his book “Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.”

“The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” quickly became a ratings success, occasionally surpassing the viewership of “Bonanza.” The show’s unique formula aimed to appeal to a broad audience, featuring rock groups like the Who and Jefferson Airplane, along with established stars like Kate Smith and Mel Torme, making it a cross-generational hit.