The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour aired on CBS from 1967 to 1969. The series was a major success, especially considering it was scheduled against the major NBC television series Bonanza. The show showcased new musical artists that other comedy-variety shows rarely gave airtime to, due to the nature of their music or their political affiliations. Pete Seeger's appearance on the season two premiere was his first on network commercial television in 17 years since being blacklisted.