Viewpoints

By RICHARD SCHICKEL

It is just THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS SHOW (NBC. Monday, 8 p.m. E.S.T.) now, not The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour as it was six years ago, when it was canceled for a controversialism more alleged than real (and ratings that were slipping). The new title is an example of truth in advertising, for the brothers' opening broadcast contained no comedy. A few expectant chuckles ac companied Tommy's prologue-mono logue about the inverse relation between the Smothers' fortunes and Richard Nixon's. His uncertain promise that they were going to be good boys and stay away from politics raised hopes that wickedness might win out and they would at least tell a Jerry Ford joke or something. No such luck-- just a succession of laughless sketches, totally lacking any link with an identifiable aspect of life as it is lived by anyone, any where. Redd Foxx came off worst among the guest stars in a distasteful bit about mixed marriage. The Smotherses are on a short-term contract, which means there are now only twelve weeks to go before the next six years of Silence.

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