1966 Part One ~ JANUARY to JUNE
“The Lucy Show” finishes its fourth season, the first set in California. It includes Lucille Ball’s favorite episode of the series and has appearances by Mickey Rooney, Art Linkletter, Dean Martin, Bob Crane, Jay North, and Clint Walker.
“Lucy, the Rain Goddess” (TLS S4;E15) ~ January 3, 1966
This is the first new episode aired in 1966. The script was finalized on November 3, 1965. Jamie Farr (”M*A*S*H*) plays a Native American named Vince.
“Lucy and Art Linkletter”
(TLS S4;E16) ~ January 10, 1966
This is the 100th episode of “The Lucy Show” filmed on November 11, 1965. TV host Art Linkletter plays himself.
“Lucy Bags a Bargain”
(TLS S4;E17) ~ January 17, 1966
Lucy wants to buy a new dinette set, but Mr. Mooney won’t give her the money so she takes a job at the department store. Lots of callbacks to previous episodes with Lucy on stilts and skates.
“Lucy Meets Mickey Rooney”
(TLS S4;E18) ~ January 24, 1966
Lucy reprises her Charlie Chaplin pantomime with Mickey Rooney, her acting coach.
“Lucy and the Soap Opera”
(TLS S4;E19) ~ January 31, 1966
Lucy disguises herself in a number of outrageous get-ups to gain access to her favorite soap’s reclusive writer in order to discover how the show will turn out.
“Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere”
(TLS S4;E20) ~ February 7, 1966
Lucy takes a job as a Hollywood cinema usher. Celebrity cameos by Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Durante, Edward G. Robinson, and Vince Edwards (”Ben Casey”).
“The
Dean Martin Show” (S1;E21) ~ February 10, 1966
Dean Martin’s guests Lucille Ball, Kate Smith perform a Vaudeville medley: “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “Wait till the Sun Shines Nellie,” and “Yankee Doodle." This was a reciprocal appearance in return for…
"Lucy Dates Dean Martin”
(TLS S4;E21) ~ February 14, 1966
Dean Martin plays himself and his stunt double Eddie (who wears glasses) – but which one is Lucy dating? Said to be Lucille Ball’s personal favorite episode of the series. Martin sings “Everybody Loves Somebody.”
“Lucy and Bob Crane”
(TLS S4;E22) ~ February 21, 1966
Bob Crane (”Hogan’s Heroes”) plays himself filming a World War One movie. Lucy and Mr. Mooney get into the act. John Banner (Sergeant Schultz) makes a cameo appearance.
“Lucy, the Robot”
(TLS S4;E23) ~ February 28, 1966
Jay North (”Dennis the Menace”) guest stars with Lucy as Major Fun Fun, his new toy soldier robot. North plays Gale Gordon’s nephew after having played neighbor John Wilson in the final years of “Dennis the Menace.”
“Lucy and Clint Walker” (TLS S4;E23) ~ March 7, 1966
Clint Walker (”Cheyenne”) returns as Lucy’s construction worker boyfriend.
The working title of this episode was “Lucy and the Sweater” because the plot revolved around Lucy’s attempt to get his measurements to knit him a birthday gift.
“Lucy, the Gun Moll”
(TLS S4;E24) ~ March 14, 1966
Lucille Ball plays both Lucy Carmichael and Rusty the Gun Moll in a satire of the Desilu series “The Untouchables.” Starring Robert Stack, Bruce Gordon, Steve London, and announcer Walter Winchell.
“Lucy, the Superwoman”
(TLS S4;E26) ~ March 21, 1966
Lucy develops super-human strength. The premise of this episode was taken from a rejected script of “Gilligan’s Island”! [It probably should have remained that way!]
“The
Magic of Broadcasting” ~ May 1, 1966
A one-hour documentary on the history of radio and television aired on CBS TV. Also featuring Arthur Godfrey, Sheldon Leonard, and Rod Serling. Produced by Lee Mendelson (”Peanuts”).
“The
Eamonn Andrews Show” (S2;E34) ~ May 22, 1966
Lucille Ball appears on Eamonn Andrews’ UK-based talk show while she was in England filming “Lucy in London.” She shares the stage with an eclectic panel consisting of Mohammad Ali, Noel Coward and Dudley Moore. The same evening this chat show aired, Ball was nominated for a 1966 Emmy Award which she lost to Mary Tyler Moore (”The Dick Van Dyke Show”). Lucille was not in attendance at the ceremony due to her travel schedule, but did attend CBS’s Emmy Nominee Party a week later on May 28.
Also in 1966…
“USC Pioneer Film Awards” ~ January 30, 1966
Lucille wins an award from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Drama. Bob Crane (”Hogan’s Heroes”) introduces Ball. She is joined onstage by Jim Backus (”Gilligan’s Island”), husband Gary Morton, and co-star Gale Gordon, who each ask Lucille a question about her career for the benefit of the student audience in attendance. Gregory
Peck and Shirley Booth are also awarded. The event was filmed for posterity, but not broadcast. A clip can be seen on the special features of the season two “Here’s Lucy” DVD box set.
“CBS
Affiliates Sketch” ~ May 3, 1966
Not much is known about this event, or if it was broadcast, but affiliates were generally courted for scheduling of network programming. The date indicates that it was likely in promotion of the upcoming fifth season of “The Lucy Show.” Because Lucille was overseas during most of May, the sketch was likely filmed in advance. This type of thing was rarely seen by the public.
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