TV GUIDE: THE REAL BALL

April 30, 1966

Lucille Ball appeared in caricature by Ronald Searle on the cover of TV Guide (issue #683 / vol. 14 / No. 18) for April 30 through May 6, 1966.  

Ronald Searle (1920 – 2011) was an English artist and cartoonist. He is perhaps best remembered as the creator of St Trinian’s School and for his collaboration with Geoffrey Willans on the Molesworth series. 

He was a frequent contributor to TV Guide. 

This was one of Lucille Ball’s 39 covers of TV Guide from 1953 till the magazine stopped publishing.  This was the first of her two covers in 1966. In late October 1966 TV Guide used a shot of Lucy in “London Mod” attire with tagline “Lucy Goes Mod In London.” 

“Direct, uncluttered, lovable, and above all, professional” ~ Searle about Lucy

“Her heart is in the right place and it is not on her sleeve” ~ Searle about Lucy

Although “The Lucy Show” was on summer hiatus from April 30 to May 5, 1966, on Sunday, May 1, CBS aired “The Magic of Broadcasting” in which Lucille Ball either appeared or narrated.