LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1979

The last year of the 1970s and Lucy takes it easy with only a half dozen TV appearances.  

“The 36th Annual Golden Globes Awards” ~ January 27, 1979

Lucille Ball was the recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award. “Hollywood’s greatest female clown… and the world still proclaims ‘I Love Lucy.’”

“The Mary Tyler Moore Hour” (S1;E1) ~ March 6, 1979

Lucille Ball guest stars as herself on the premiere of Mary Tyler Moore’s short-lived sitcom in which she played variety show star who wants Lucy to guest star on her next show. Trouble is, Lucy is already committed to co-host with Mike Douglas. This episode was filmed during Lucille Ball’s real-life co-hosting stint on “The Mike Douglas Show” in November 1978.

“Cher… and Other Fantasies” ~ April 3, 1979

Lucille Ball plays a mystical cleaning lady in Cher’s musical comedy special that also featured Elliott Gould, Shelley Winters, and Andy Kaufman. 

“The Annual Friars Club Tribute Presents a Salute to Johnny Carson” ~ May 6, 1979

Johnny Carson receives an award from the Friars Club during a testimonial dinner at Waldorf-Astoria and friends such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Kirk Douglas and of course, Ed McMahon were on hand. Lucille was accompanied by her husband Gary Morton and daughter Lucie Arnaz. 

“The Today Show” ~  May 9, 1979

Lucille Ball and her daughter, Lucie Arnaz, are interviewed by Gene Shalit. 

“Lief” – May 18, 1979

he Big Event: TV Guide, the First 25 Years” ~ October 21, 1979

Lucille Ball was on the cover of TV Guide 39 times, more than any other person, including its very first issue in 1953, so naturally she was interviewed as part of this NBC special hosted by Phil Donahue.