E-mail a friendNovember 7, 2008
Groundbreaking comedy veteran Tommy Smothers discusses what he calls the illusion of freedom of speech in the U.S. Actress, author and activist Victoria Rowell explains why her life story is not just a foster care story.
Tommy Smothers
Tommy Smothers
Comedian discusses couples counseling with his brother and using his platform for political purposes. (3:22)
Full inteview. (12:50)
Tommy Smothers is one-half of the musical comedy team The Smothers Brothers, which enjoyed success in the '60s with two variety shows. Always plainspoken, he ran into CBS' censure wall with the top-rated Comedy Hour, and the show was cancelled, in part due to political messages. In '08, he received a commemorative writing Emmy for the show's final season. A composer and musician, Smothers played guitar on John Lennon's recording of "Give Peace a Chance." He also owns a vineyard in Sonoma County, CA.
Victoria Rowell
Victoria Rowell
Actress-author explains why she could not be adopted by a white family in the state of Maine. (2:48)
Full interview. (9:48)
Emmy-nominated actress, activist and author Victoria Rowell boasts simultaneously co-starring in the hit primetime TV series Diagnosis Murder and The Young and the Restless daytime drama for eight seasons. Before deciding on an acting career, she excelled in ballet and danced professionally with various companies. She then pursued a modeling career. Raised in foster care, she helps those in the system through her Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan. She recounts her childhood in The Women Who Raised Me.