ALL IN A DAY FOR LUCY

July 3, 1966

CAMERA ANGLES 

It’s all in a day for Lucy 

by Aleen MacMinn

Lucille Ball, the television executive, looked around her spacious, handsome and newly refurbished office at Desilu Studios and commented: “This is a great office. I wish I could spend more time here." 

However, Lucille Ball, television executive, doesn’t put in a "typical day” at the office, as other executives do. That’s because Lucille Ball, the television star, must be in front of the cameras a goodly number of hours per week working on ‘The Lucy Show’ for CBS. 

There is, too, Lucille Ball, wife of Gary Morton and mother of two children, Lucie Arnaz, 15, and Desi Arnaz Jr., 13. How does she manage all of these careers? She shrugs off that question with an “I sandwich it all in” answer, then quickly says that “I have a lot of people helping me.” But her schedule, nonetheless, is one that would leave many executives (or stars, for that matter) reeling.

Meetings in the morning before 10, luncheon interviews, board meetings, production meetings, program planning meetings, publicity, big studio decisions… all in addition to starring in a weekly series that has consistently stayed near the top of the ratings. 

CBS had its usual case of quivers earlier this year when Miss Ball announced that she didn’t care to do another season of ‘The Lucy Show’. “I wanted to do something different,” she said, “I think it’s healthy to stick your neck out” Her plan: four specials and no series. But when the negotiations with CBS were over, she was booked for a fifth season of ‘The Lucy Show’ and two specials. "Now,“ she sighed, "I’m stuck with two specials and no time to do them!" 

Thus, she’s spending her "vacation” from her TV series in London, shooting special number one. It has Anthony Newley as guest star and will be seen in November. (1)

Busy as she is, she doesn’t complain. “I had my free time,” she said. “I think I had a day and a half back there a few weeks ago. I forced myself and I do mean forced myself to go sit and knit. I seem to fall apart if I have the opportunity to rest. I guess I just thrive on activity." 

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FOOTNOTES FROM THE FUTURE

(1) "Lucy in London” was part of Lucille Ball’s 1966-67 contract negotiations with CBS. She was supposed to star in three such ‘travel’ specials, but this is the only one that ever materialized. Ball originally planned to co-star with Mitzi Gaynor as two nuns touring Europe, followed by a French-based production called “Lucy in Paris,” and a Middle Eastern-set comedy called “Lucy in Arabia” or “Lucy in the Desert.” "Lucy in London” aired on October 24, 1966 in “The Lucy Show” time slot.   

This article was part of the Los Angeles (CA) Times’ TV Times magazine, a supplement to the Sunday Times on July 3, 1966.  

The Guide notes that “Vacation Playhouse” would replace “The Lucy Show” for the summer. “Vacation Playhouse” was an anthology series presenting pilots for new shows.