1961
In her first year since 1951 without a series on television, Lucille Ball moves to Broadway to star in WILDCAT. While in New York City she makes a couple of appearances before returning to the West Coast.
“What’s
My Line?” (S11; E545) ~ January 1, 1961
Mystery Guest Lucille Ball uses a low, hushed voice to answer the blindfolded panel’s questions. At the time, Ball was appearing on Broadway in the musical Wildcat. Faye Emerson guesses by saying “Are you a red-headed wildcat?”
“Today”
~ January 3, 1961
Lucille appears on the NBC morning show, hosted by Dave Garroway (above) to promote her appearance in Wildcat.
“This
is Your Life: William Frawley” ~ January 8, 1961
Lucille joins Fred MacMurray (”My Three Sons”) to tribute William Frawley (Fred Mertz) on the NBC show “This is Your Life” hosted by Ralph Edwards (above left).
“The
Jack Paar Tonight Show” ~ January 12, 1961
Ball’s second appearance is just two weeks after her first, but Jack Paar is still on vacation and Arlene Francis is guest host. Lucille was still in New York appearing in Wildcat.
“The
Jack Paar Tonight Show” ~ January 26, 1961
In her third and final appearance on Paar’s incarnation of “Tonight” she finally is interviewed by the host in the title. She is in the company of her “I Love Lucy” co-star Vivian Vance. Ten days later, Wildcat went on a two-week hiatus due to Lucille Ball’s illness.
“I’ve
Got a Secret” ~ February 15, 1961
Host Garry Moore tells Lucy that her secret will be to get the panel to imitate her. The panel returns for the questioning. They play out the whole game even though someone gets it early. Moore later confesses that (for the first time ever) he cheated in order not to spoil the fun.
“The
Bob Hope Buick Sports Show” ~ February 15, 1961
A sports awards show hosted by Bob Hope. Boxer Floyd Patterson could not attend the ceremony on the West Coast, so Hope shows footage of Lucille Ball presenting him the award on the East Coast, where she was appearing on Broadway.
“The
Ed Sullivan Show” ~ February 19, 1961
Lucille Ball and Paula Stewart perform a song from Wildcat. Other guests are Jack Carter (who introduced Lucy to her future husband Gary Morton). Rowan and Martin (pre-”Laugh-In”) also appear. Dick Martin would play Lucy Carmichael’s boyfriend during the first season of “The Lucy Show” (1962).
“12 Star Salute to the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies” ~ December 9,
1961
Back in California as a newlywed (Lucy married Gary Morton November 19, 1961), Lucille is one of a dozen stars appearing on this ABC TV charity show. Gary Morton was Jewish so Lucille extended her philanthropy to Jewish charities.
Papermoon Loves Lucy 
Leave a comment