LUCY on PASSWORD ~ Part 2

1965-1966

[For “Password’s” backstory and Lucy’s previous appearances, click here.]

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“Password”
~ January 7, 1965  

Allen
Ludden
(Host)
Jack
Clark
(Announcer)

The
program is sponsored by Clairol and Bufferin.
Thee
top prize is $500 and the consolation prize if $50.

THE
PLAYERS

Lucille
Ball is
introduced as “the brilliant comedienne and fabulous star of motion
pictures and television.” Lucy says that lately she’s been playing
golf for relaxation.

Lucy’s
first partner is James
Memet
from Thousand Oaks, California. He is a communications consultant for
Pacific Telephone Company.

Lucy’s
second partner is Carole
Cook.
Lucy
explained that Cook and Paul Kent had been students in an acting
class she had taught at Desilu Workshop and their winnings will go to a new
theater they were starting.
[The Melrose Theatre in West Hollywood.]

Lucy’s
third partner is Donald
Butler
from Compton, California. He is a probation officer with Los Angeles
County.

Lucy’s
fourth partner is David
Boyle
from Arcadia, California.

Gary
Morton is introduced as a “talented nightclub comedian and
television star.” Gary says his golf game is going well, too.  

Gary’s
first partner is Lois ‘San’ Nichol from Monteray Park,
California. In her spare time she is learning to fly helicopters.

Gary’s
second partner is actor Paul Kent (above photo with Morton).
He is playing to win money to start a new theatre troupe.

Gary’s
third partner is Jane Aubrey
from Woodland Hills, California. She is the mother of three sons.

Gary’s
fourth partner is Sarah Mason
from Claremont, California.

TRIVIA

• In
  the first round, Lucy gives the clue to her partner while the
  announcer is still whispering it to viewers. She is gently reprimanded by
  Ludden. He backpedals by complimenting her eyes and hands. Lucy responds as seen in the above photo. 
• During
  the third round, something happens to Gary’s chair and Ludden fixes
  it without stopping the game.
• After
  the fourth round is over and the show has gone to commercial, Gary
  tries to get Sarah Mason to guess the word “SHOW” which stumped
  her during the lightning round.
• All the contestants are from California because the program was recorded at CBS Television City in Hollywood.  
• Although
  not promoted on the show, the following Monday after this Thursday
  night “Password” “The Lucy Show” aired its first new episode
  of 1965: “Lucy and the Ceramic Cat” (TLS S3;E16).

THE
RESULTS

• Lucy
  and James Memet win the first game.
• Gary
  and Paul Kent win the second game.
• Lucy
  and Donald Butler win the third game.
• Gary
  and Sarah Mason win the fourth game.

In
closing, Ludden promotes next week’s guests, Barbara Rush and (making
his “Password” debut) Gene Kelly. Using the password “BETTER,”
Ludden gives a pitch for better local schools.

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“Password”
~
August 26, 1965

Allen
Ludden (Host)

The
program is sponsored by Tame hair care products.
The top prize is
$500 and the consolation prize is $50.

Lucille
Ball
is introduced as “one
of your all-time favorite television stars.”
She promotes that “The Lucy Show” will be back in the fall, but
her character has moved out of Danfield and now lives in California. She
references her first episode shot at Marineland.  

Gary Morton is introduced as “the hilarious comedy, nightclub, and radio star.” Gary promotes that this season “The Lucy Show” will be aired in color. Upcoming guest stars include Danny Thomas, Clint Walker, Milton Berle, Ann Sothern, and Joan Blondell.

Lucy’s
first partner is John
McGovern
from Redondo Beach, California. He says he is a contract specialist
at an aerospace company “building
a rocket to the moon.”

Gary’s first partner is Caroline Stafford from Los Angeles, California. She has three children, specifying that she has one of her own, and two are her husbands. “It’s one of those things” she says with a nervous laugh.

Lucy’s
second partner is her son, Desi
Arnaz Jr.
Desi says his band Dino Desi & Billy has been on tour with The
Beach Boys. He made a record called “I’m A Fool” that Ludden says
is selling well. Ludden mistakenly calls the band Dino Billy &
Desi.

Gary’s second partner is his step-daughter Lucie Arnaz. When Ludden asks her plans for the fall she says she’s entering Immaculate Heart High School but, unlike her brother, has no plans to make a record.

Lucy’s
third partner is her daughter Lucie, while Desi Jr. plays with Gary

Lucy’s
fourth partner is her husband Gary. Lucie plays with Desi Jr. – the
parents versus the kids.

TRIVIA

• The
  opening shot of the studio audience reveals that Lucy’s mother, Dede
  Ball is sitting in the front row, although she is not acknowledged.
• This
  program was pre-recorded at CBS Television City in Hollywood.
• In
  the first round, the password is “HAM” and Gary’s clue is
  “ACTOR.” His partner gets it.
• When
  the password is “PUTT,” Lucy’s partner gives the clue “SHOT,”
  and Ludden tells him to look at his clue again. Lucy and Gary are
  both golf nuts.  
• After
  winning the first round, Lucy turns to Ludden and says
  “You’ve changed. You haven’t frightened me yet.”
  She is referring to previous appearances where Ludden’s loud “YES!”
  would startle Lucy, who generally had her back to him at the time.
• The
  Mortons are playing for National Easter Seals. Lucille Ball was their
  national representative for a time.
• When
  the password is “SQUIRM” and Lucy’s clue is “WRIGGLE,” her
  son inexplicably guesses “STARCH.”
• When
  the password is “BREAKFAST” and Lucie’s clue is “LUNCH,” Desi
  Jr. says “I’ve gotta decide, right?” knowing it could
  either be breakfast or dinner / supper.  A similar thing happened to
  him the last time he was on the show. He chose wrong both times!  
• Lucy
  admits to cheating a little. Ludden says “Don’t
  tell me if you cheated.”
• When
  Gary acts out the password “YAWN” and Ludden allows him to get
  away with it, Lucy is noticeably annoyed. Desi Jr. gets it instantly
  and Ludden backpedals a bit by reminding them they are all playing
  for charity. Although she doesn’t say anything, Lucy shoots her
  husband a quick disgusted look. When Gary cheats a second time,
  stroking his cheek and giving the clue “HAIR” to indicate
  “SIDEBURNS,” Ludden throws out the word and starts again. The
  substitute word is “SPURS,” which stumps Gary and gets a bit of
  applause from the studio audience for its level of difficulty.  

THE RESULTS

• Lucy
  and John McGovern win the first game.
• Gary
  and Lucie win the second game.
• Gary
  and Desi Jr. win the third game.
• Gary
  and Lucy are ahead in the fourth game when time runs out.  

Ludden
promotes that Natalie Schaefer and Jim Backus of “Gilligan’s
Island” will be his guests on next week’s program. Using the
password “EXCITING,” Ludden promotes that the upcoming shows will
feature stars of the new television season on CBS.

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“Password”
~ Lucy & Friends Week #1

January 10 – 14, 1966

Allen
Ludden (Host)

The
show is sponsored by Pepsodent.

Lucille
Ball
is introduced as the “sensational television comedy star.” Ludden
says that in the 15 years since “I Love Lucy” started, her shows
have been in the top ten, and this year she is number 3. Lucy says
she has an episode with Dean Martin coming up six to eight weeks
after it is filmed. Lucy says she is also doing a Carol Burnett
special [“Carol + 2”] and a Dean Martin special.

Lucy’s
first partner is Vase
Hedrick
from Fullerton, California. He likes to travel around Latin America
and Mexico.  

In
the second game, Lucy’s partner is Kenda Hamm and Gary plays with
Vase Hedrick – ladies against the gentlemen.  

Lucy’s
third partner is her son, Desi
Arnaz Jr.  Desi says his band Dino Desi & Billy has a new record out.

Gary
Morton
is introduced as “the witty and humorous nightclub comedian and
radio star.” Gary says he played quite well in the US Open. “I’m
quite proud of Lucy’s ratings. She’s number three in the country and
she’s number one with me.”

Gary’s
first partner is Kenda
Hamm from
Van Nuys, California. She has two young girls.  

Gary’s
second partner is Vase Hedrick.

Gary’s
third partner is his step-daughter Lucie
Arnaz.
Lucie says she is in the ninth grade.

TRIVIA

• This
  is one of the show’s trips to Hollywood where they filmed at CBS
  Television City. This is the first week of their four-week stay. This was
  one of the series’ daytime episodes.
• Once
  again, Lucy’s mother, Dede Ball, is seated in the first row of the
  studio audience, and gets on camera in the opening shot, although not acknowledged. 
• Ludden
  reminds Lucy of the popping up clues so she won’t be startled. Lucy
  corrects him, “This doesn’t frighten me, you do.” In previous
  appearances Ludden’s quick and loud “Yes!” when Lucy scores often
  made her jump. Despite saying that, Lucy is startled by the pop-up
  clue anyway.
• When
  the password is “PARADISE” and Kenda Hamm’s clue is “MILTON,”
  Lucy naturally guesses Berle, not the 1667 novel “Paradise Lost”
  by John Milton. Lucy later says that Hamm is “very erudite.”
  Ludden says he’s trying to get Milton Berle to play “Password.”  
• The
  Mortons play for Easter Seals.
• In
  the third game, Desi Jr. accidentally gives the password “MISTAKE”
  as the clue. Gary takes this opportunity to do his imitation of Don
  Addams (“Get Smart”) although no one is paying much attention to
  him.
• At
  10:30am that morning (and every weekday morning), CBS aired a re-run
  of “I Love Lucy.” Later that evening on CBS, “Lucy and Art
  Linkletter” (TLS S4;E16) aired for the first time.

THE RESULTS

• Lucy
  and Vase Hedrick win the first game (in 24 seconds).
• Lucy
  and Kenda Hamm win the second game.
• Time
  runs out before the third game can be completed.

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“Password”
~ Lucy & Friends Week #2

September
19 – 23, 1966

Allen
Ludden
(host)

The
first half of the program is sponsored by Rinso, the second half is
sponsored by Sominex.

Lucille
Ball
is introduced as “the fabulous Lucy, one of television’s greatest
stars.” 

Lucy’s
first partner is her TV co-star, Gale
Gordon,
then playing Mr. Mooney on “The Lucy Show.” Later that night, he
would be seen in “Lucy and the Submarine” (TLS S5;E2) in which,
as usual, he got wet!

Lucy’s third partner is Dick Patterson (above) had made an appearance in “Lucy Helps Danny Thomas” (TLS S4;E7) but would go on to make four appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” Patterson says Lucy saw him in a play in 1960. He had previously been on “Password.”

Gary
Morton is
introduced as “the witty nightclub star and humorous television
star.”

Gary’s
first partner is Mary
Wickes
introduced as having just closed a production of the musical High
Spirits.
Although Wickes played a regular character (Frances) on “The Lucy
Show” during its first two seasons, after the show was re-set in
California, Wickes was only used occasionally as various characters.
In the show’s 1966-67 season, she appeared once, in “Lucy the
Babysitter” (TLS S5;E16). Wickes and Ball were personal friends,
even going on vacations together.

In
the second game, Gary partners with Gale Gordon while Lucy plays with Wickes.

Gary’s
third partner is Gita
Patterson
(above) was married to Dick Patterson from 1964 to 1972. They
had one child. Gita was a former Miss Holland.  

TRIVIA

• This
  week, the show is in Hollywood, pre-recorded at CBS Television City.
  The show is now in color. [Note: Only a black and white copy was available for preview.]

  In the opening, Ludden, Lucy and Gary draw
  attention to the colors they are wearing for the benefit of viewers
  still watching on a black and white television set. Although “The Lucy Show”
  had aired in color since September 1965, game shows and newscasts
  were last to be transferred to color. Even then, black and white
  kinescopes of the shows are often all that survive.

• When
  Mary Wickes learns they are playing for money, she says “We
  have to give it to Lucy and Gary.”
  Lucy says “That’s not true!”
• When
  the password is “BAWL” Lucy’s clue to Gale Gordon is “LUCILLE”
  and he gets it right. Gary says “I forgot her last name.”  
• When
  the password is “ZIPPER” Ludden warns Lucy not to use gestures.
  The audience laughs just imagining what Lucy might pantomime. Gary
  tells Ludden that he hopes his clue will make it on the air (past
  censors): “FLY.” It does and Mary Wickes guesses the word and
  they win the game. Lucy admits she was afraid to use the clue
  herself. Later, Ludden points out that she’s gotten braver when she
  uses the clue “KNOCKER” when the password is “GAVEL.”
• When
  changing partners, Mary Wickes struts across the set in time to the
  theme music.  
• After
  winning the lightning round in 28 seconds, Mary says she wanted to
  beat Peter Lawford’s record. Although the time is not stated here, his record is five words in 12 seconds!
• Ludden
  does a live Geritol commercial mid-show, with Lucille Ball chiming in
  with quips while he speaks.
• Before
  the Pattersons are introduced, Gary bangs his knee under the desk and
  tells everyone about it.
• Ludden
  ends by promoting “The Lucy Show” using the password “GREAT”
  because “Monday night is the night Lucy lights up our lives.”

THE RESULTS

• Lucy and Gale Gordon win the first game.
• Lucy and Mary Wickes win the second game (in 28 seconds).
• Gary and Gita Patterson win the third game. There is no time to play the  lightning round, so it will be played on the following show.

In closing, Lucy
promotes that others joining her and Gary this week include:

• Richard
  Crenna
  played Arthur Morton, who had a crush on Lucy Ricardo in “The Young
  Fans” (ILL S1;E20) in 1952.
• Carole
  Cook
  – Lucille Ball’s student and protege at the Desilu Workshop. Like
  Mary Wickes, she had a regular character (Thelma Green) during “The
  Lucy Show’s” first seasons, but when the show was re-set in
  California, she played various characters. She made two appearances
  during early 1967 (season five).  
• Tom
  Troupe
  – married Carole Cook in March 1964. Although he sometimes appeared
  in Desilu-filmed shows, he never appeared on a “Lucy” sitcom. As of this
  writing, the pair are still married.
• Cleo
  Smith
  – Lucy’s first cousin, although they were raised as sisters. She
  was married to Cecil Smith at the time, and produced “Lucy in
  London” (1966).  
• Maury
  Thompson
  – director of “The Lucy Show,” who started as a camera
  coordinator on “I Love Lucy.”
• Tommy
  Thompson
  – producer of “The Lucy Show.”  [The two Thompsons are not
  related.]
• Lucy
  forgets to promote Ruth
  Berle
  aka Mrs. Milton Berle, would play herself in “Lucy Meets the
  Berles” (TLS S6;E1). Her husband did a cameo in a November 1966
  episode starring John Wayne.

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Stay Tuned for Part 3!