One half of a very clever and inspiring duo. I was never a huge fan because they were really big before I was born or when I was an infant. However, they had a subversive streak that was more than just being cancelled on CBS; they were hosts of SNL at least once and there was a skit I remember very well from the early Eighties. Tommy couldn’t spell a word right on the hot Speak n’ Spell toy, making it respond with “I hate you!” The camera panned to brother Dick saying, “You can give the gift I never had, being an only child! So use these!” and he thrust a box of condoms out “Or live with that!”
Tommy was quite the Renaissance Man too. He did a very excellent impression of Johnny Carson, his skill with yo-yos was something and I swear he and Dick loaned their singing voices to a skit on In Living Color. His comedy was something I need to look at more since he also earned the wrath of Bill Cosby. I figured the monster only attacked other Blacks for their “ethnic,” raunchy comedy: Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy and others. No, one night Tommy showed him up (I’m guessing getting more audience love and laughs) and so Cosby threatened to kick his ass. He did it too one night at an LA Playboy Mansion Party (before it was a gross, sad place), hitting Tommy from behind, knocking him down. Being the coward Cosby has proven to be, he immediately hid behind Hefner. This added to my anger at the man formerly loved and known as “America’s Dad.” He couldn’t share in the joy of others’ success as they would’ve for him and oddly, he used his fists when we all know he preferred to drug those he planned to assault. Justice has been served. Cosby is despised and prison bound while peers came out in the hundreds to express their love for Tommy.
In closing, let’s thank him for being in on the decision to hire two writers who’d influence future comedy. Steve Martin and Lorne Michaels.
Thanks for everything Tommy! You and Dick pushed the envelope. Took a stand for what you also believed in, losing a lucrative TV show in the process. You helped pave the way to be the shoulders for all the next giants to stand on and they let everybody know how you were involved. That is one amazing legacy!