LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1960

The Ricardos and Mertzes make one last appearance in the new decade. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz divorce, and Lucille has a new movie with Bob Hope, “The Facts of Life.” 

“Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood” ~ January 10, 1960

Hedda Hopper had appeared on “The Desilu Revue” (the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” 1959 Christmas special) and in return Lucille appeared for Hopper in her special, a tour of ‘her’ town and the stars who work in it.  Lucille is found entering her Desilu Workshop.  

“Buick
Electra Playhouse: The Snows of Kilimanjaro” ~ March 25, 1960

A 90-minute dramatic anthology series produced by and aired on CBS from 1959–60 sponsored by Buick Motors. There were a total of four episodes, all based on the works of Ernest Hemingway (above center, with A.E. Hotchner, who adapted the stories, and Dean Stockwell, who starred in one of the episodes). Lucy, Desi, and comedian Ernie Kovacs appear in a promo for the final “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” airing a week later. 

“Lucy Meets the Mustache” (LDCH E13) ~ April 1, 1960

The final episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” and the last time we will see the Ricardos and the Mertzes. The mustache of the title is Ernie Kovacs, who guest stars with his wife, Edie Adams. The day after this episode aired, Lucille Ball filed for divorce from Desi Arnaz, ending an era. 

“The
Gary Moore Show” (S3;E1) ~ September 27, 1960

Lucille Ball appears to promote her film The Facts of Life by showing outtakes titled “Someone Goofed” which features Bob Hope and Lucy in a sequence that had to be re-shot several times after Lucille and Bob kept on breaking up laughing during a kissing scene.

Carol Burnett was a series regular, making this the first time Lucille Ball and Burnett shared the same stage. 

“Eleanor
Roosevelt’s Diamond Jubilee Plus One” ~ October 7, 1960

A follow up to a similar special the previous year honoring her 76th birthday. Bob Hope was the host and the stars included Jack Benny, Carol Channing, George Burns, Nat King Cole, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Jimmy Durante, Mahalia Jackson, Irene Dunne Mary Martin, Simone Signoret and Lucille Ball.  Aired on NBC.   

“The
Jack Paar Tonight Show” ~ December 29, 1960

Lucille Ball’s first appearance on “The Tonight Show” is with guest host Hugh Downs. Eight months after her divorce, she also brings along her children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. Lucy is in New York City appearing in the Broadway musical Wildcat.  

Also in 1960…

“The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” (S4;E27) ~ April 3, 1960 

Keith Thibodeaux (Little Ricky) and Desi Arnaz Jr.  are musical guests, playing in what was called The Little Ricky Combo. Shore concentrates on Desi Jr., and does not ask any questions of Thibodeaux. Despite the above promo photo, Lucille Ball does not appear on the show.