1921 – 2019
Carol Channing and Lucille Ball were both known for playing leading roles in Jerry Herman musicals: Channing in Hello Dolly and Lucy in Mame (1974).
Lucille came backstage to meet Carol Channing during her run as Dolly.
There was probably a time that Lucy flirted with the idea of playing Dolly on stage or screen, but the 1969 film version would go to Barbra Streisand and Channing would continue to revive the stage show through the years.
At the height of Carol Channing’s Broadway success with Hello Dolly Lucille Ball produced an episode of “The Lucy Show” in which Lucy Carmichael goes undercover as Carol Channing! It also starred Broadway star Jack Cassidy (She Loves Me).
Naturally, Lucy wears the red dress that is so associated with Channing’s Dolly.
And imitates Channing’s unique voice.
Ball even performs the show’s title song, with lyrics altered to fit the episode’s plot.
In July 1965, just before filming this episode, Lucille Ball and Carol Channing were both mystery guests on “What’s My Line?” They did not share the same stage.
Ginger Rogers (a friend and co-star of Ball’s) was also a mystery guest (sharing a chair with Channing) to announce that she was taking over the role of Dolly on Broadway from Carol.
In 1966, Desi Arnaz produced a sitcom pilot for Carol Channing where she delivered Lucille Ball-style comedy.
Although Lucy was not involved in the series, her “I Love Lucy” writers were.
Sadly, “The Carol Channing Show” was not picked up for series.
In 1967, Lucille Ball and Carol Channing were two of ten celebrity narrators of a documentary short titled “All About People” produced by the United Jewish Welfare Fund.
In 1985, Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz, and Carol Channing performed with 97 other celebrities in “Night of 100 Stars 2″ on ABC. The event was taped at Radio City Music Hall.
Friends! In 1987, Lucille Ball and Carol Channing came to a book signing to support their mutual friend Betty White.
Lucille Ball and Carol Channing finally came face to face on the same stage during Lucille Ball week on “Password Plus” in November 1988, just months before Lucille’s death. It would be Ball’s last game show appearance.
In 2000, Carol Channing journeyed to Jamestown to make a special appearance at Lucy-Desi Days in Lucy’s hometown.
In 2016, Lucie Arnaz performed at Channing’s 95th birthday party in Palm Springs, California, where Channing lived.
“More down to earth than any star I ever met, and I’ve met a few.” ~ Lucie Arnaz about Carol Channing
Papermoon Loves Lucy 
Leave a comment