1970 Part One ~ JANUARY to JUNE
A new decade of “Lucy” begins! The second half of season two of “Here’s Lucy” includes appearances by Liberace, Carol Burnett, Lawrence Welk, and Wayne Newton. Plus talk show appearances with Johnny Carson, Irv Kupcinet, Ed Sullivan, David Frost, and Mike Douglas.
“Lucy and Liberace” (HL S2;E16) ~ January 5, 1970
Mr. Showmanship meets the Queen of Comedy to kick off the new year.
Liberace brought $50,000 worth of his spectacular wardrobe to the set, and Lucille Ball hired a round-the-clock security guard to ensure its safety. The tuxedo jacket that lights up in the dark made its debut on this show.
“Lucy the Laundress” (HL S2;E17) ~ January 12, 1970
This is the first of nine episodes written by Larry Rhine and Lou Derman. In his introduction to the episode on the series DVD, guest star James Hong tries to diffuse any misinterpretation of Lucy’s disguising herself as an Asian character.
“The Ed Sullivan Show” (S22;E17) ~ January 18, 1970
From New York City, Lucille Ball and her children are introduced from the audience. Celebrity audience shout-outs were a tradition on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” On stage, June Allyson sings showtunes, Buddy Greco performs, and boxer Muhammad Ali presents scenes from his Broadway play Buck White.
“Lucy and Lawrence Welk”
(HL S2;E18) ~ January 19, 1970
“Wunerful wunerful” bandleader Lawrence Welk guest stars as himself with Vivian Vance back as Vivian Jones.
This is the first of five episodes written by Martin A. Ragaway.
“Garroway” (S1;E38) ~ January 21, 1970
Lucille Ball is a guest on Dave Garroway’s new (but short-lived) talk show on WNAC-TV, Boston, which Garroway (”The Today Show”) hoped would be picked up for national syndication. The program lasted into early 1970 and never aired outside Boston. The show was canceled when management decided to show old movies instead of local live shows.
“Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana” (HL S2;E19) ~ January 26, 1970
The alternate title of this episode was “Lucy and Vivian Vance.” The two titles are used interchangeably, even on the series DVD.
This episode is very closely modeled on “Lucy Goes To Mexico,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”
“The David Frost Show” ~ January 29, 1970
David Frost welcomes Lucille Ball, Harry Goz, Harry Lorayne, and Tom Wolfe to his talk show.
“The Mike Douglas Show” ~ January 29, 1970
Tony Sandler and Ralph Young are Mike’s co-hosts. Lucille Ball and Allen Funt are their guests. Funt will guest star on a future “Here’s Lucy.”
“The
Irv Kupcinet Show” ~ February 1, 1970
Lucille Ball is a guest on this Chicago-based talk show along with Connie Stevens, Patachou, and Ashley Montagu.
“Lucy and Ann Margret” (HL S2;E20) ~ February 2, 1970
The date this episode first aired the 27th Annual Golden Globe Awards was held and broadcast on NBC. Lucille Ball (who was not present) was nominated but lost to a tie between Carol Burnett and Julie Sommars. This appearance by Ann-Margret was in return for Lucille guest-starring on her 1969 special.
“Lucy and Wally Cox”
(HL S2;E21) ~ February 9, 1970
Wally Cox was one of Lucille Ball’s favorite performers. Here he plays an introvert that Lucy tries to coax out of his shell. Alan Hale Jr. guest stars. This is the first of three episodes to be directed by Jay Sandrich.
“Lucy and Wayne Newton” (HL S2;E22) ~ February 16, 1970
Second unit footage of the Las Vegas strip and location footage at Wayne Newton’s ranch in the San Fernando Valley make-up this episode. Lucie and Desi Jr. ride dancing horses!
“Lucy Takes Over” (HL S2;E23) ~ February 23, 1970
This is the only episode written by William Raynor and Miles Wilder. Lucille Ball’s real-life family tree is used as a basis for some of the details in this episode.
“The
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” ~ February 23, 1970
Johnny Carson’s guests are Lucille Ball and Buddy Hackett. The musical guest is Roger Miller. Hackett had appeared in “Lucy and the Stolen Stole” (TLS S6;E19) in January 1968.
“Lucy Competes with Carol Burnett” (HL S2;E24) ~ March 2, 1970
Carol Burnett returns, this time as a secretary named Carol Krausmeyer. The competition is the annual ‘Secretary Beautiful Contest’ hosted by Robert Alda. The season ended with the show #6 in the Nielsen Ratings with a 23.9 share, up slightly from season one.
“The
David Frost Show” ~ May 26, 1970
David Frost welcomes Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and George Burns to his talk show.
ALSO in 1970…
“The Kraft Music Hall Presents Desi Arnaz” (S3;E16) ~ February 4, 1970
On NBC, Desi Arnaz is joined by his children, Vivian Vance, Bernadette Peters, and musical group The Carnival. Comedy sketches include Desi Arnaz playing an over-aged band leader at Prom. Performances include:
- Desi Arnaz: “Babalu”, “Cuban Pete” and “Turn Around”
- Vivian Vance and Bernadette Peters: “Chewi Chewi” and “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was”
- Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr and Lucie Arnaz: “Straw Hat Song”
- Desi Arnaz Jr and Lucie Arnaz: “Under The Bamboo Tree”
Directed by Dwight Hemion. Lucille Ball does not appear.
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