George Clooney To Bring The Smothers Brothers To The Big Screen

Back in the late 1960s, Tom and Dick Smothers - two 30 year old singing comedian brothers - were one of the most controversial acts around. The siblings hosted a show on CBS called The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour that was a regular target of criticism due to their openness about youth culture, the Vietnam War and racism in America. The program also regularly featured guest appearances from incredible young comedic talents and musicians like Steve Martin, Albert Brooks, Bob Einstein The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and The Who (whose performance led to this famous piece of television history). Though the show didn't last long, only running from 1967 to 1969, it most definitely had a cultural impact, and now George Clooney is working to bring that impact to the silver screen.

Deadline has learned that Clooney, his producing/writing parter Grant Heslov, and Sony are now working together to make a movie about the Smothers brothers. They have already optioned Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story Of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a biography by David Bianculli, and Brian Hecker and Craig Sherman have been hired to write the script. The site says that it's too early to know if Clooney is planning on starring in and/or directing the film, though he and Heslov will serve as producers.

With a proper cast and director this could actually be a really fascinating project. It has the potential to be a great way to reflect on an era that was filled with upheaval and see it all through a comedic lens. Not to mention it gives someone out there the opportunity to hire an actor to play a young Steve Martin. Who on Earth wouldn't want that role?