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Now I must find where someone mentioned what I was thinking about.
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@Snarky Oracle! Our friend @stevew said this in this very thread back on February 7, 2018:
I loved Lucy as a comic. I even liked her in Mame singing and I’m not a musical fan. And in Stone Pillow she was excellent, imo. At her age going for drama as a comeback would have made more sense.
At the time I watched bits and pieces of Dynasty with my grandmother as she was in and out of the hospital. It never fully caught my attention, but in all fairness having watched the first two seasons much later on (I hadn’t seen any of them in their first run) I must say, I’d have been hooked if I’d started from the beginning. Anyway, when I heard Spelling was bringing Lucy back I pictured her in Dynasty. I said to my grandmother she should be Alexis’s American mother.
Picture her walking into the entry of the Carrington Mansion as Blake chokes Alexis and Ben holds back Krystal. She smells the flowers on the way in and says, “Way to kill two birds with one stone, Blake.” Blake turns and looks at her. Let’s go of a chocking Alexis, we all knew wasn’t going to dye, and says, “Oh my God.” Alexis lunges for Blake and the two go off the balcony. Now? Is Alexis going to die? Joan replaced with Lucy, would have been a cliff hanger keeping us on our toes. BTW I don’t think she should have replaced her but it could have added to the drama especially with rumors of contract negotiations. And Alexis with a mother to explain some stuff could have been fun.
Seaviewer
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She was okay singing but her voice was too much like Bea Arthur's when they duetted. Angela Lansbury was the original Mame on Broadway and the song "Bosom Buddies" from the cast album sounds better with the contrasting voices. (Just my opinion
)
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As much as I love Lucy, Angela Lansbury was robbed of playing Mame on the screen.She was okay singing but her voice was too much like Bea Arthur's when they duetted. Angela Lansbury was the original Mame on Broadway and the song "Bosom Buddies" from the cast album sounds better with the contrasting voices. (Just my opinion
Crimson
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I recently rewatched this movie for the first time in ages. It's an interesting but misguided performance by Lucille, showing both her strengths and weaknesses. There's a strong attention to characterization detail, which is what made her comedy work so well. It's also a very old-fashioned performance; her acting was firmly rooted in the inspirations of her youth, Silent movies and vaudeville. Even in a movie attempting gritty social realism, she couldn't avoid Chaplin-esque schmaltz and mugging. It's why she was so good at comedy and even, when given the chance, melodrama but grounded acting was not really in her wheelhouse.
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Desilu Studios developed "Mission:Impossible", "Star Trek" and "Mannix"
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THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW was filmed at Desilu Studios.
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THE LUCY SHOW morphed into HERE'S LUCY in 1968. Lucille Ball sold Desilu Studios to Gulf+Western and she decided to end THE LUCY SHOW since she no longer owned it outright.
Still, CBS wanted to keep Lucy on their lineup. She was given the go ahead for HERE'S LUCY with no pilot screening necessary. The show premiered in the same time slot THE LUCY SHOW had left vacant, and employed a similar premise.
HERE'S LUCY spent from 1968 to 1972 in the Nielsen Top 10, before viewership slowly started to dwindle. I've read Lucy and intended on ending the show in 1972, but that this was likely a ploy for more money. So, what about 1973, when she was apparently going to end the show again? Lucy and Gale Gordon even filmed a series finale without a studio audience. It was Fred Silverman, or so I read, that encouraged her to do one more season. HERE'S LUCY would end in 1974 after six seasons and 144 episodes, but it seems CBS had tired of the show. They wrangled with how to cancel Lucy, who had been one of the defining stars for the network, but felt it was pivotal to their longevity to incorporate new shows into their lineup.
Still, CBS wanted to keep Lucy on their lineup. She was given the go ahead for HERE'S LUCY with no pilot screening necessary. The show premiered in the same time slot THE LUCY SHOW had left vacant, and employed a similar premise.
HERE'S LUCY spent from 1968 to 1972 in the Nielsen Top 10, before viewership slowly started to dwindle. I've read Lucy and intended on ending the show in 1972, but that this was likely a ploy for more money. So, what about 1973, when she was apparently going to end the show again? Lucy and Gale Gordon even filmed a series finale without a studio audience. It was Fred Silverman, or so I read, that encouraged her to do one more season. HERE'S LUCY would end in 1974 after six seasons and 144 episodes, but it seems CBS had tired of the show. They wrangled with how to cancel Lucy, who had been one of the defining stars for the network, but felt it was pivotal to their longevity to incorporate new shows into their lineup.
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Ok, I'm finally going to do it. Tomorrow I'm going to start a complete watch of I LOVE LUCY. I want to get every single episode in the can this year.
For real. I mean it this time.
For real. I mean it this time.
Snarky Oracle!
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Which must include all 13 installments of THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR, the proper epilogue to I LOVE LUCY.
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You know, I've never watched the hour-long LUCY-DESI episodes. I've seen them re-edited as half-hour episodes and retitled WE LOVE LUCY when Hallmark used to show them, but never in their original form.Which must include all 13 installments of THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR, the proper epilogue to I LOVE LUCY.
Snarky Oracle!
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And that's what probably should have happened originally: had the LUCY-DESI episodes divided into 26 half-hour segments and then added to the I LOVE LUCY syndication package (as apparently they've done now).
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Ok, I'm a little behind on my I LOVE LUCY binge. I didn't get the opportunity to start until this morning, but I got two episodes in the can.
Season 1
S1, E1 - "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub"
S1, E2 - "Be a Pal"
It's been a long time since I've watched these early I LOVE LUCY episodes because, frankly, I don't find them quite as funny.
The first episode itself is actually quite shaky. The cast are trying to find their footing, and even the audience reactions seem a little different than what I remember from later episodes.
Fred and Ethel aren't bickering as much as one might would guess, but signs of their love-hate marriage is already there, especially in Fred's remarks about Ethel.
In the second episode, we're shown how Lucy will go to great lengths to salvage what she feels is stagnant marriage with Ricky. Laying aside the message that the woman has to do the changing to keep the man interested, there's some good comedy to be had here. The "Carmen Miranda" bit towards the end is funny, but one wonders where did they get all the "Cuban" decor?
Best episode: "Be a Pal"
Happy Viewing!
Season 1
S1, E1 - "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub"
S1, E2 - "Be a Pal"
It's been a long time since I've watched these early I LOVE LUCY episodes because, frankly, I don't find them quite as funny.
The first episode itself is actually quite shaky. The cast are trying to find their footing, and even the audience reactions seem a little different than what I remember from later episodes.
Fred and Ethel aren't bickering as much as one might would guess, but signs of their love-hate marriage is already there, especially in Fred's remarks about Ethel.
In the second episode, we're shown how Lucy will go to great lengths to salvage what she feels is stagnant marriage with Ricky. Laying aside the message that the woman has to do the changing to keep the man interested, there's some good comedy to be had here. The "Carmen Miranda" bit towards the end is funny, but one wonders where did they get all the "Cuban" decor?
Best episode: "Be a Pal"
Happy Viewing!
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Season 1
S1, E3 - "The Diet"
S1, E4 - "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her"
S1, E5 - "The Quiz Show"
I've gotten three more episodes in the can. I haven't been able to watch as often as I had planned, but I'm determined to get through the show, but without putting too much pressure on my viewing regime as to not tire of the show.
I'd argue the first season gets stronger as it goes along. The writing improves, the performances improve, the chemistry improves. I'm watching the show on Paramount+ and the prints are quite beautiful. Even on my small 6" cellphone, these B&W prints have been cleaned up nicely.
"The Diet" gives us the first glimpse at a starstruck Lucy, a characteristic that will stay with Lucille Ball's TV persona all the way through the end of HERE'S LUCY in 1974. The way Lucy is insistent that she hadn't gained an ounce since she and Ricky were married is funny, but I like how Ricky, Fred, and especially Ethel are relaxed in their poking fun at their own weight gain. People will probably argue that this episode sends mixed messages on body-shaming women, but it's all in good fun. It's all played for comedy, and we shouldn't take things so seriously. Lucy finally weasels her way into Ricky's show at the nightclub, and their performance together at the end isn't half bad. I could take or leave Desi Arnaz as a musical performer, but the Lucy-Desi duo is pretty good.
My wife's favorite episode of I LOVE LUCY (she's not a big fan overall) is "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her". I just learned recently that this was actually the first episode filmed once CBS gave the green-light to start filming episodes. The producers didn't feel it was strong enough to kick-start their show, so it was pushed back a few weeks. I haven't the slightest how or why they'd think that. This episode is quite simply hilarious. It's easily the best episode of the five I've watched so far. Lucy and Ethel have some funny bits together and even Ricky has a good funny moment or two. The outright hilarity in this episode cannot be hyped enough. Lucy has some good physical comedy bits, and there's even some good one-liners, too.
I originally had "The Quiz Show" confused with another episode of I LOVE LUCY, which might be included later in this first season. Frank Nelson is a marvelous character actor, and he's quite delightful as radio personality Freddie Fillmore. I like the general premise of Lucy being a mess when it comes to household budgeting (I can concur with Lucy that it ain't easy) and how the "Females Are Fabulous" radio show makes women do ludacris things for the sake of cash prizes. Hey, even I'd do some of it for money. The cash prize in this episode is $1000, which was a lot of money in 1951. I'd take that as a cash prize here in 2025 without complaint.
These early I LOVE LUCY episodes are more enjoyable than I honestly have given them credit for previously. I am thoroughly looking forward to breezing through this show and seeing what I might've missed before while just skimming the episodes.
Best Episode: "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her"
Happy Viewing!
S1, E3 - "The Diet"
S1, E4 - "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her"
S1, E5 - "The Quiz Show"
I've gotten three more episodes in the can. I haven't been able to watch as often as I had planned, but I'm determined to get through the show, but without putting too much pressure on my viewing regime as to not tire of the show.
I'd argue the first season gets stronger as it goes along. The writing improves, the performances improve, the chemistry improves. I'm watching the show on Paramount+ and the prints are quite beautiful. Even on my small 6" cellphone, these B&W prints have been cleaned up nicely.
"The Diet" gives us the first glimpse at a starstruck Lucy, a characteristic that will stay with Lucille Ball's TV persona all the way through the end of HERE'S LUCY in 1974. The way Lucy is insistent that she hadn't gained an ounce since she and Ricky were married is funny, but I like how Ricky, Fred, and especially Ethel are relaxed in their poking fun at their own weight gain. People will probably argue that this episode sends mixed messages on body-shaming women, but it's all in good fun. It's all played for comedy, and we shouldn't take things so seriously. Lucy finally weasels her way into Ricky's show at the nightclub, and their performance together at the end isn't half bad. I could take or leave Desi Arnaz as a musical performer, but the Lucy-Desi duo is pretty good.
My wife's favorite episode of I LOVE LUCY (she's not a big fan overall) is "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her". I just learned recently that this was actually the first episode filmed once CBS gave the green-light to start filming episodes. The producers didn't feel it was strong enough to kick-start their show, so it was pushed back a few weeks. I haven't the slightest how or why they'd think that. This episode is quite simply hilarious. It's easily the best episode of the five I've watched so far. Lucy and Ethel have some funny bits together and even Ricky has a good funny moment or two. The outright hilarity in this episode cannot be hyped enough. Lucy has some good physical comedy bits, and there's even some good one-liners, too.
I originally had "The Quiz Show" confused with another episode of I LOVE LUCY, which might be included later in this first season. Frank Nelson is a marvelous character actor, and he's quite delightful as radio personality Freddie Fillmore. I like the general premise of Lucy being a mess when it comes to household budgeting (I can concur with Lucy that it ain't easy) and how the "Females Are Fabulous" radio show makes women do ludacris things for the sake of cash prizes. Hey, even I'd do some of it for money. The cash prize in this episode is $1000, which was a lot of money in 1951. I'd take that as a cash prize here in 2025 without complaint.
These early I LOVE LUCY episodes are more enjoyable than I honestly have given them credit for previously. I am thoroughly looking forward to breezing through this show and seeing what I might've missed before while just skimming the episodes.
Best Episode: "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her"
Happy Viewing!
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Season 1
S1, E6 - "The Audition"
S1, E7 - "The Seance"
S1, E8 - "Men Are Messy"
I finally got a few more in the can.
"The Audition" episode is, as many may already know, a remake of the unaired pilot which, in turn, as a filmed version of the Vaudeville-type show Lucy and Desi toured in to convince CBS that American audiences would embrace them as a couple on TV. It's a very good episode for the most part, and it introduces us to the series-long recurring storyline of Lucy trying endlessly to get a break in show business. Lucy's bit at the tail end of the episode dressed as a clown are quite funny, and I like the little nod they do in the very last scene when they reveal Lucy received a contract offer instead of Ricky.
"The Seance" and "Men Are Messy" are the two weakest episodes I've watched so far.
In the former, Lucy & Co. do a faux seance to impress this theatre producer (Jay Novello, who will be back for more guest appearances later) so he'll hire Ricky for one of his new shows. I don't like stories about seances, and I almost skipped this episode, but decided to watch it out of my commitment to watch all of I LOVE LUCY. I do like the little bit during the seance where Lucy and Fred think the other are actually voices "from the other side".
In the latter, we get a generic sitcom set-up of Men vs. Women. The men are dirty, the women are clean. That's the way it goes, or so this episode tells us. The ending is quite predictable with Lucy messing up a publicity photo shoot for Ricky with "Look" magazine.
Overall, these three episodes left me a little underwhelmed.
S1, E6 - "The Audition"
S1, E7 - "The Seance"
S1, E8 - "Men Are Messy"
I finally got a few more in the can.
"The Audition" episode is, as many may already know, a remake of the unaired pilot which, in turn, as a filmed version of the Vaudeville-type show Lucy and Desi toured in to convince CBS that American audiences would embrace them as a couple on TV. It's a very good episode for the most part, and it introduces us to the series-long recurring storyline of Lucy trying endlessly to get a break in show business. Lucy's bit at the tail end of the episode dressed as a clown are quite funny, and I like the little nod they do in the very last scene when they reveal Lucy received a contract offer instead of Ricky.
"The Seance" and "Men Are Messy" are the two weakest episodes I've watched so far.
In the former, Lucy & Co. do a faux seance to impress this theatre producer (Jay Novello, who will be back for more guest appearances later) so he'll hire Ricky for one of his new shows. I don't like stories about seances, and I almost skipped this episode, but decided to watch it out of my commitment to watch all of I LOVE LUCY. I do like the little bit during the seance where Lucy and Fred think the other are actually voices "from the other side".
In the latter, we get a generic sitcom set-up of Men vs. Women. The men are dirty, the women are clean. That's the way it goes, or so this episode tells us. The ending is quite predictable with Lucy messing up a publicity photo shoot for Ricky with "Look" magazine.
Overall, these three episodes left me a little underwhelmed.
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Season 1
S1, E9 - "The Fur Coat"
S1, E10 - "Lucy Is Jealous of Girl Singer"
These were two very good episodes. I fondly remember the first one I watched today about the fur coat incident. I could've sworn it was a later-series episode, though. I hadn't any recollection of it being from Season 1.
It has some really funny bits in it. I laughed out loud when Lucy and Ricky are getting robbed and the robber tells Lucy he's going to shoot her if she doesn't give him the mink coat she's wearing. She pauses, lifts up the coat, and replies, "Go ahead and shoot!" It was too funny to me.
The second episode was the lesser of the two, but I still enjoyed it. I don't really like the Ricky-centric episodes that have to do with him performing, so I sometimes skim through his musical numbers. The episode title calls the girl in Ricky's show a "singer", but in the actual episode, she's a dancer. This was due to a late-in-the-day change, and nobody bothered to change the script I don't guess.
Two more solid, early series episodes.
S1, E9 - "The Fur Coat"
S1, E10 - "Lucy Is Jealous of Girl Singer"
These were two very good episodes. I fondly remember the first one I watched today about the fur coat incident. I could've sworn it was a later-series episode, though. I hadn't any recollection of it being from Season 1.
It has some really funny bits in it. I laughed out loud when Lucy and Ricky are getting robbed and the robber tells Lucy he's going to shoot her if she doesn't give him the mink coat she's wearing. She pauses, lifts up the coat, and replies, "Go ahead and shoot!" It was too funny to me.
The second episode was the lesser of the two, but I still enjoyed it. I don't really like the Ricky-centric episodes that have to do with him performing, so I sometimes skim through his musical numbers. The episode title calls the girl in Ricky's show a "singer", but in the actual episode, she's a dancer. This was due to a late-in-the-day change, and nobody bothered to change the script I don't guess.
Two more solid, early series episodes.
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By the early 1970s, HERE'S LUCY might've been viewed as a dusty relic by its own network, CBS, especially in the face of such groundbreaking shows as MARY TYLER MOORE and ALL IN THE FAMILY, but the ratings proved the American TV audience still loved Lucy.
HERE'S LUCY was in the Top 10 as late as 1972. When CBS cancelled a majority of its "old guard" TV shows in 1971, HERE'S LUCY placed #3 in the ratings, thanks in no small part to the Season 3 opener guest starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. One can assume that the healthy dose of celebrity guest stars helped the show maintain strong audience numbers as long as it did.
As late as 1974, when HERE'S LUCY finally ended after a six season run, the show had placed as high as #12 for the week.
So, as old-fashioned as Lucy might've been in a TV landscape making major strides in a new direction, she still drew a big audience. One can only imagine a loyalty of fans who rallied around the TV set to watch the Queen of American Television, who was, by 1974, like a member of their extended family. Lucy's twenty-three-year career on TV is practically unparalleled. Sure, the quality of her shows deteriorated with time, but audiences didn't seem to mind that the scripts were weak and repetitive.
Lucy was and is a legend.
HERE'S LUCY was in the Top 10 as late as 1972. When CBS cancelled a majority of its "old guard" TV shows in 1971, HERE'S LUCY placed #3 in the ratings, thanks in no small part to the Season 3 opener guest starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. One can assume that the healthy dose of celebrity guest stars helped the show maintain strong audience numbers as long as it did.
As late as 1974, when HERE'S LUCY finally ended after a six season run, the show had placed as high as #12 for the week.
So, as old-fashioned as Lucy might've been in a TV landscape making major strides in a new direction, she still drew a big audience. One can only imagine a loyalty of fans who rallied around the TV set to watch the Queen of American Television, who was, by 1974, like a member of their extended family. Lucy's twenty-three-year career on TV is practically unparalleled. Sure, the quality of her shows deteriorated with time, but audiences didn't seem to mind that the scripts were weak and repetitive.
Lucy was and is a legend.