(Time Life; 840 minutes)

www.timelife.com

The Smothers Brothers first appeared on stages fifty years ago. They mixed fairly tame folk songs and rudimentary skills with comedy built upon the classic funny straight/straight man format. Their live act went nationwide with television appearances and a slew of best-selling albums. Next step was a TV show of their own, and after a sitcom that didn't suit them well, they brought forth a variety show in the fall on 1966. This, their third season, became their last, though a fourth was already slated when CBS fired them.

A product of their times, Tom and Dick Smothers were expansive in the talent they brought to prime time America, as well as committed to presenting ideas they believed in. Opposition to the Vietnam War was already widespread, but it was a skit that skewered religious beliefs featuring David Steinberg's "Jonah" sermon that was the final straw for the network; the episode was never aired, but it's what reportedly got the show cancelled. (The brothers brought suit for breach of contract, eventually winning.)

What's compelling about this four-DVD set is how thorough they were. Not only did they marshal the talents of the era's pivotal comics (including Steinberg, George Carlin, Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart, and Steve Martin who was a writer for the show) and musicians (Ike & Tina Turner, The Doors, George Harrison, Donovan), everything from the set design to the theme song has also aged very well.

Special Features: The Comedy Hour reunion at the 2000 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival; never-before-seen "Paulsen for President" outtakes with Robert F. Kennedy (footage was cut in the wake of the assassination); performers including Barbara Feldon and Nancy Sinatra to Jackie Mason hum the Hour's theme song; contemporary interviews with performers; footage of the brothers' post-cancellation press conference. DAVID GREENBERGER