TV GUIDE: 10th ANNIVERSARY

April 6, 1963

Lucille Ball was once again on the cover of TV Guide on April 6, 1963 (vol. 11, no. 14). The issue celebrated their tenth anniversary.  

Lucille Ball and her little Desi were on our first cover. She is there again this week. We’re sentimental about her. 

The Table of Contents page features the first cover, from April 3, 1953, featuring infant Desi Arnaz Jr., and Ball.  The article on page 22 is titled “Lucille Ball, Madame President” by Dan Jenkins. Lucy fans may remember this as the name of the used furniture salesman played by Hans Conried in “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8) aired on November 24, 1952. He was one of Lucy and Desi’s favorite writers, so they honored him by naming a character after him. 

In this photo by Philippe Halsman (who also did the cover), Ball is seen relaxing at the Desilu Playhouse on the backlot, smoking a cigarette. 

That week on television, America got its first look at “Lucy is a Chaperone” (TLS S1;E7) on Monday, April 8, 1963.