In 1968, one of the most controversial shows on television was The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.  The show’s skewering of topics such as racism, the President of the United States, and the war in Vietnam made sure it was watched by the young and embroiled in conflict with the CBS censors.  A summer version, called The Summer Brothers Smothers Show (really) and hosted by Glen Campbell, featured what is considered by some to be the world’s first music video.  Mason Williams, one of the show’s writers, performed his hit “Classical Gas” while images of over 2000 great works of art flashed by at the rate of twelve pictures per second.  I saw it.  It was mind-blowing.

This version shows only 391 images in three minutes.  But they represent the first 54 years of our lives.

54 Years in 3.1 Minutes

- Poppa