What Might've Been: The series premiere of The Smothers Brothers Show (1965)

 We've talked in the past about the Smothers Brothers' failed sitcom, which preceded their legendary variety show by more than a year. Now, we are blessed with the series opener.

"There's Something About a Sailor" explains how Tom was lost at sea two years prior in the context of the story, and returns as an apprentice angel. As would be the case in their later series, Fitz & Bones, Dick is the more serious half, in this case, landing a job at a magazine run by one Leonard J. Costello (Roland Winters), while Tom has trouble earning his wings because of the predictable bumbling.

Alvy Moore (Green Acres) appears briefly as a messenger. As you'll see, he carried over the same mannerisms he'd use as Hank Kimball, the dimwitted county agent on Green Acres. Gary Owens (Roger Ramjet) is the narrator in the beginning of the episode.

1965 was not a good year for Four Star. The Smothers Brothers Show was their final sale to CBS. Over at ABC, Burke's Law morphed into Amos Burke, Secret Agent, and was cancelled. Honey West, spun off from Burke, was likewise a 1 year wonder, and The Big Valley was the studio's lone success, beginning a four year run.

No rating. Just a public service.