After reading some interviews...

[Mr. Cohen]

I read a whole book of BB interviews and I've come to a conclusion: three huge things that don't get mentioned enough in regards to SMiLE's failure was the success of "Good Vibrations", Bernstein praising "Surf's Up" on national television, and the "Brian is a genius" campaign.  Brian took people's comments very seriously, more than you would expect. Those around Brian noticed a change in Brian after the CBS special, and one person in Brian's circle at the time pretty much called it the beginning of the end. Before, Brian had just been goofing around, having fun, and making music. Now he had to make art of the highest standard. He became increasingly perfectionist and perhaps believed too much in his own powers, such as with the whole "Fire" debacle. He started reworking songs over and over until they weren't as good, trying to live up to the impossibly high standards he felt had been set up for him. When the group doubted the material, too, it was like the last straw in his sense of self-doubt.

[Wirestone]

Except it wasn't Bernstein ...

[mtaber]

Phil Spector was going through similar "super perfectionist" stuff at that time as well, as the relative failure of "River Deep, Mountain High" set him on a downward spiral...

[Mr. Cohen]

It wasn't Bernstein? That's what Wikipedia's "Surf's Up" page says. Do we need to sick the ADG on 'em?

[Wirestone]

That portion of the documentary is actually narrated by David Oppenheim, who produced it. You can actually watch the whole thing on YouTube.

This is one of those myths that no one bothers to correct (they perpetuate it in the BWPS doc) because it suits everyone's purposes to say otherwise.

[Myk Luhv]

Has Bernstein ever commented on this? Presumably he has some opinion about "Surf's Up" at this point, right? He's certainly had enough time to hear from other people what he allegedly thinks!

[Wrightfan]

Has Bernstein ever commented on this? Presumably he has some opinion about "Surf's Up" at this point, right? He's certainly had enough time to hear from other people what he allegedly thinks!

That'd be tough considering he's been dead for 20 years. 

[Mr. Cohen]

On the topic of interviews, IMPORTANT INFO FROM VAN DYKE PARKS:

Interviewer: You had mentioned in another article that Brian insisted on bringing in two bowls filled with ice water to dunk your heads into, which you did. And you said, "One can't deny the invigorating effects of your head in a bowl of ice water."

Van Dyke: [Laughter]

Brian did one thing during the album that totally astounded me. He loves Diet Coke, and when I tossed him one, he caught it behind his back and popped the top. It was incredible. If I was the president of Coca-Cola, I would want that on film. [Laughter]