It premiered on CBS on this day in 1969. Inspired by Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In on NBC, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, Hee Haw also featured a rapid-fire series of gags and sketches.

On April 4, 1969, the popular show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was abruptly canceled by CBS and then replaced by the show Hee Haw. Despite its high ratings, CBS cut it short after the ...