LUCY’S FIRSTS & LASTS

The beginnings and ends of Lucille Ball’s more than 40 year television  career. 

THE FIRST time Lucille Ball appeared on television ~ December 1947

This was a local, not national, television program called “Mike Stokey’s Pantomime Quiz Time.” Lucy loved to play charades and later appeared on a similar show called “Body Language.” Records are vague, so the year may have been 1949, the same year Ball appeared on “Texaco Star Theatre.”  

THE LAST time Lucille Ball appeared on television ~ March 29, 1989

Lucy joined Bob Hope as a presenter of new talent on the 61st Annual Academy Awards. Three weeks later, Lucille Ball entered the hospital with chest pains. She underwent heart surgery and appeared to be recovering, but several days later she slipped into unconsciousness and died on April 27, 1989, at age 77.

THE FIRST time television viewers saw Lucille Ball in an acting role ~ October  15, 1951

Lucille Ball’s TV acting debut came as Lucy Ricardo on “I Love Lucy” in “The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub” (ILL S1;E1). It established Lucy as a typical American housewife – doing dishes, naturally. She is joined by Vivian Vance as her friend, landlord, and neighbor, Ethel Mertz, beginning one of the greatest partnerships in television history. Although this was the first episode aired, it was not the first episode shot. 

THE LAST time television viewers saw Lucille Ball in an acting role ~ November  15, 1986

Although Ball made appearances as herself after this episode, this was her last time in an acting role, as Lucy Barker on “Life With Lucy”  in “Mother of the Bride” (LWL S1;E8). The vaudeville trope of a pie in the face is a fitting farewell to the Queen of Comedy.  She is joined by Audrey Meadows (”The Honeymooners”), as her sister Audrey Everett, a role that, had the series not been cancelled, may have returned to the show. Although this was the last episode aired, it was not the last episode shot.

THE FIRST time Lucille Ball acted on camera for television ~ September 8, 1951

This is the first shot of Lucille Ball in the first episode of “I Love Lucy” ever filmed, “Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her” (ILL S1;E4). Feeling it did not showcase Lucille Ball’s talents as much as “The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub,” this episode was aired fourth instead. Notice that Ball’s trademark Lucy Ricardo hairstyle has not yet been established. 

THE LAST time Lucille Ball acted on camera for television ~ November 17, 1986

This is the final scene from “World’s Greatest Grandma” (LWL S1;E13).  “Life With Lucy” was cancelled after its initial order of 13 episodes. This episode was due to air on December 20, 1986 and a 14th show was planned titled “T’was the Flight Before Christmas.” Like her final TV appearance on the Oscars, Ball is flanked by a ‘new generation of actors’, here playing Lucy Barker’s grandchildren, Jenny Lewis and Philip Amelio.