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LUCY & GRACE
Lucy & Ricky & Will & Grace & Fred & Ethel & Jack & Karen
[Note: This blog was written before the airing of “We Love Lucy” (S11;E16) on April 9, 2020.]
There’s no denying that the fabulous foursome of “Will & Grace” was inspired by the antics of the gang of the original fabulous four of “I Love Lucy.”
Debra Messing has always been compared to Lucille Ball in her comedy and appearance.
“[Lucy] changed the rules of the game for women in comedy and inspired millions of little girls who wanted to make people laugh.” ~ Debra Messing
In addition to the dynamic of the main quartet, Rosario, Karen’s plain-talking maid (the late Shelley Morrison) bears more than a passing resemblance to Lucy’s stoic housekeeper, Mrs. Porter (Verna Felton) in “Lucy Hires a Maid” (ILL S2;E23).
As far back as the October 5, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly, their Lucy-and-Ricky layout recreates the fun of an “I Love Lucy” episode called “The French Revue” (ILL S3;E7) in which Lucy attempts to sneak into the Tropicana disguised as a bass fiddle!
In 2017 “Will & Grace” repeated Lucy and Viv’s shower stall stunt from “Lucy Puts In A Shower” (TLS S1;E18) in “Who’s Your Daddy?” (S9;E2) with Debra Messing and Megan Mullalley trying to keep their heads above water.
In 2020′s “Accidentally on Porpoise” (S11;E11), a tentative Grace gets into a tank and swims with dolphins just like in “Lucy at Marineland” (TLS S4;E1).
On the special “Lucy”-themed episode aired April 9, 2020, the role of Lucy will actually be played by Debra, Sean and Megan at different times. Ricky, however, will only be played by Eric. As for Fred and Ethel, we’ll see Debra, Sean and Megan rotating among them and taking turns.
Debra will play Lucy in the Vitameatavegamin scene from “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” (ILL S1;E30).
Sean Hayes will portray Lucy in the chocolate factory scene from “Job Switching” (ILL S2;E1).
Megan Mullally will be Lucy in the grape-stomping scene from “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (ILL S5;E23).
Will (Eric McCormack) as Ricky will pop up in all of these memorable moments.
Lucille and Desi’s daughter, Lucie Arnaz, will be making a cameo in the episode — the first time she has taken on a role that is connected to her parents’ show.
Arnaz will play the role of the candy factory foreman originally played by Elvia Allman.
“I’m thrilled to be invited to the party and will do my best to honor the memory of Elvia Allman’s iconic performance.” ~ Lucie Arnaz
“I know my parents would be over the moon to be honored in this way and by such similar talents who bring the same kind of joy to audiences as they did in ‘I Love Lucy’.” ~ Lucie Arnaz
Six Degrees of Lucy
In a 2002 “Will & Grace” titled “Fagel Attraction” (S4;E23), Barry Livingston played a business associate of Will’s named Vince. Livingston acted opposite Lucille Ball as Arnold Mooney in two episodes of “The Lucy Show” before moving on to “My Three Sons.”
Other “W&G” / “Lucy” Connections:
- Debbie Reynolds (Bobbi Adler) appeared with Lucille Ball on several variety shows and specials
- Robert Klein (Martin Adler) appeared opposite Lucie Arnaz on Broadway in They’re Playing Our Song and with Lucie and Lucille Ball in “Night of 100 Stars 2″
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Rip Torn (Lionel Banks) appeared opposite Lucille Ball in the film Critic’s Choice (1963)
- Cher (Herself) starred in “Cher…and Other Fantasies” (1979), a TV special with Lucille Ball
- Joan Collins (Helena Barnes) hosted “All Star Party for Lucille Ball” (1984)
In 1999 “Will and Grace” produced an episode titled “Yours, Mine or Ours” although the plot bore no resemblance to the 1968 Lucille Ball / Henry Fonda film Yours, Mine and Ours.
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THE WONDER SHOW
1938-1939
“The Wonder Show” radio program was so named because it was sponsored by Wonder Bread, which at the time was made by Continental Baking Company, who also made Hostess Cakes.
Wonder Bread is a brand of bread which originated in the United States in 1921 and was one of the first to be sold pre-sliced nationwide in 1930. This led to the popular phrase “the greatest thing since sliced bread”. The brand is currently owned by Flowers Foods in the United States.
Before becoming “The Wonder Show” it was previously known as “Log Cabin Jamboree”, sponsored by Log Cabin Syrup. Like “The Wonder Show” “Log Cabin Jamboree” was helmed by Jack Haley, but without his ‘wonder woman’ Lucille Ball and ‘Wonderful’ announcer Gale Gordon.
It began broadcasting on Friday, October 14, 1938, at 7:30pm and aired its final broadcast on April 7, 1939.
It was hosted by Jack Haley, best remembered as the Tin Man in the The Wizard of Oz. Two weeks after “The Wonder Show” went on the air, Fox told Haley they were loaning him out to MGM, who needed a last-minute replacement for Buddy Ebsen in The Wizard of Oz. Ebsen, originally cast as the Tin Man, had been hospitalized with an allergic reaction to the aluminum-based make-up, and Metro was forced to replace him. For the next several months, Haley found himself filming an epic MGM fantasy musical by day, and working with his radio writers by night. He finished his scenes in the film in mid-January 1939 and celebrated by incorporating a Wizard of Oz sketch into the January 20th episode (#15) of “The Wonder Show.”
“That was quite a winter. By the time we did the show Friday night, I was physically exhausted. Emotionally, however, I was very satisfied. I loved doing that radio show.”
Regular cast included singer Virginia Verrill (above with Haley and Lucy), Lucille Ball, comedian Artie Auerbach, and Ted Fio Rita and His Orchestra. Gale Gordon was the announcer. While many believed that Gordon and Ball’s association only went back as far as 1948, “The Wonder Show” deepens that relationship by a decade.
Lucy spent much of 1937-38 radio season as a regular on Phil Baker’s “Gulf Headliner” series on CBS.
Lucy reportedly enjoyed doing “The Wonder Show”. She credited it, along with her other early radio appearances, for helping her with her acting career.
”[Radio] gave me a name in the trade as a good feminine foil. I could flip a comedy line, which a lot of actresses couldn’t do. In radio I couldn’t depend upon props or costumes or makeup; I had to rely on timing and tone of voice for comic effects, and this was invaluable training.“
At the time Gordon was 32 years old, recently married and had just starting to grow his trademark mustache. He was in such demand that he often did two or more radio shows in a day.
"Luckily, the studios were nestled along Sunset Boulevard or in a nearby theater, so we could shuttle rather quickly back and forth from one broadcast to another.”
During the first episode of “The Wonder Show”, Haley spoke briefly about his current movie release, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, starring Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Ethel Merman. He also mentioned Lucy’s RKO films Room Service, The Affairs of Annabel, and Having Wonderful Time.
Other weekly guests included Dizzy Dean, Joan Bennett, Reginald Gardiner, and Oliver Hardy.
EPISODES
- Episode #1 – October 14, 1938 – “Pepe Sacola Haley, Jewel Thief” [Premiere; introduces a series of weekly Haley Family Album sketches]
- Episode #2 – October 21, 1938 – “Pony Bill Haley” [A forum entitled “Should a woman have a career?” Lucille Ball explored this theme on “I Love Lucy” in “Job Switching.”]
- Episode #3 – October 28, 1938 – “Little Lord Fauntleroy Haley" [pre-empted in some areas for an address by President Roosevelt]
- Episode #4 – November 4, 1938 – “Gaucho Haley”
- Episode #5 – November 11, 1938 – “Julius Caesar Haley”
- Episode #6 – November 18, 1938 – “Elephant Boy Haley”
- Episode #7 – November 25, 1938 – “Sergeant O’Haley of the Northwest Mounted Police”
- Episode #8 – December 2, 1938 – “The Hatfields and The McHaleys”
- Episode #9 – December 9, 1938 – “Super Detective ‘Wonder’ Haley – The Secrets of the French Police or Where Did They Get Those Post Cards?”
- Episode #10 – December 16, 1938 – “Colonel Jack Haley and Sea Cookie”
- Episode #11 – December 23, 1938 – “Super Sleuth ‘Wonder’ Haley – Murder in the Sweater Department or Much Ado About Knitting” [The subtitle “Much Ado About Knitting” was later used on “I Love Lucy” in “Lucy Writes A Play”]
- Episode #12 – December 30, 1938 – “Francois Villon Haley, The Pugnacious Poet of Paris”
- Episode #13 – January 6, 1939 – “Captain Haley of the Marines”
- Episode #14 – January 13, 1939 – “Haunted House” [Friday the 13th]
- Episode #15 – January 20, 1939 – “Jack Haley the Clown: The Murder of the Bearded Lady”
- Episode #16 – January 27, 1939 – “Jesse James Haley”
- Episode #17 – February 3, 1939 – “The Czar of Russia”
- Episode #18 – February 10, 1939 – “Gone With the American Revolution” [Lind Hayes, impersonator, imitates the voices of Lionel Barrymore, Gary Cooper, Fred Allen and others.]
- Episode #19 – February 17, 1939 [Lucille Ball introduces a new character; Jack Haley’s tough, sassy little niece, a sort of “Dead End Girl”.]
- Episode #20 – February 24, 1939 – “The Amazing Dr Jitterbug or A Scar Is Born” [A hunting lodge-themed episode]
- Episode #21 – March 3, 1939 – “The Amazing Dr Jitterbug or A Scar Is Born” [Chicago Cubs baseball player Dizzy Dean guest stars]
- Episode #22 – March 10, 1939 – [Actress Joan Bennett guest stars]
- Episode #23 – March 17, 1939 – [Comedian Hugh Herbert guest stars]
- Episode #24 – March 24, 1939 – “Paul Revere Haley” [Actor Reginald Gardiner guest stars; Lucille Ball later played Mrs. Paul Revere on “The Jack Benny Program” in 1964.]
- Episode #25 – March 31, 1939 –“On the Trail of the Lonesome Crime” [Oliver Hardy guest stars. On a 1966 episode of “The Lucy Show” Gale Gordon – as Mr. Mooney – was hypnotized into being Oliver Hardy to Lucy’s Stan Laurel.]
- Episode #26 – April 7, 1939 – “Local Boy Makes Good” [series finale]
On March 29, 1938, Ed Sullivan’s newspaper column announced that Artie Auerbach would be marrying young actress Cleo Manning (later Cleo Morgan then Smith). Manning made her screen debut being kissed by Clark Gable in the 1941 film Honky Tonk. Cleo Manning’s cousin, Lucille Ball, interceded in the marriage, because Manning was not of age. They were at the license bureau when Ball persuaded them to wait. Auerbach and Manning were married at a later date. Cleo was producer of “Here’s Lucy” and “Lucy in London”.
Also in 1938, Lucy’s friend and fellow film actress Ann Sothern was also promoting Wonder Bread. Sothern was appearing in a Wonder Bread-sponsored radio show titled “Pretty Kitty Kelly” on CBS.
After “The Wonder Show” finished on April 7, 1939, Lucy was still cranking out films doing more than 25 screen appearances before being cast as Liz Cooper in radio’s “My Favorite Husband” (also starring Gale Gordon), the series that led to “I Love Lucy” and her place in television history. Although she initially wanted to take Gordon with her to television as a regular, his schedule and salary demands made it impossible so William Frawley was cast instead. Although he made several guest appearances on Ball’s shows, it wasn’t until 1963 that the two became a team again.
[The author is indebted to The Digital Deli Too for their “Wonder Show” web page as well as Thomas J. Watson’s Lucy Fan webpage about “The Wonder Show.”]
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RIP Terrence McNally
1938-2020
Described as “the bard of American theater” playwright Terrence McNally was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1996. He received the 2019 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Dramatists Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the highest recognition of artistic merit in the United States.
He received the Tony Award for Best Play for Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class, as well as the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime. His other accolades included an Emmy Award, two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Grant, four Drama Desk Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, two Obie Awards, and three Hull-Warriner Awards.
His work centered on the difficulties of and urgent need for human connection
So what, you may ask, is his connection to Lucille Ball?
In Love! Valour! Compassion! Buzz, a musical theater aficionado (Nathan Lane on Broadway) breaks the fourth wall (a common conceit of the play) to tell the audience something personal.
This was not the only time McNally’s characters mentioned the famous redhead, in Corpus Christi (1998), Joshua, who represents Jesus, has this exchange:
The controversial play was not without its critics:
McNally himself mentioned Lucille Ball in an interview:
McNally was 81 years old and died from complications of COVID-19.
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LUCY & THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
A Tribute to Our Heroes on the Front Lines of The War Against Corona Virus
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (HL S2;E14). Inset photo (right) from Look Who’s Laughing (1941)
Carnival (1935)
Room Service (1938)
The Big Street (1942) – Mimi Doyle as Hospital Nurse
The Facts of Life (1960)
Yours, Mine, and Ours (1968)
“Bob Hope’s All-Star Comedy Tribute to Vaudeville” (1977)
“Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16) – Barbara Pepper
“Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16) – Peggy Rea
“Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16)
“Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16) – Bennett Green as the Orderly
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Maxine Semon as Night Nurse
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Robert Brubaker & Maxine Semon
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Iva Shepard as Day Nurse
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Howard Hoffman as Dr. Barnett
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9)
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Hazel Pierce (left) as Operating Room Nurse
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) – Olan Soule as Dr. Eugene Gettelman [In real life, this was also the name of the Arnaz pediatrician.]
“Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16) [Although he never appeared on camera, Dr. Joe Harris was also the name of the Arnaz’s obstetrician.]
“Ricky Has Labor Pains” (ILL S2;E14) – Lou Merrill as Dr. Rabwin [In real life, this was also the name of Lucille Ball’s friend and physician.]
“The Passports” (ILL S5;E11) – Sam Hearn as Doc Peterson [Peterson was the surname of Lucille Ball’s stepfather Ed.]
“The Tour” (ILL S4;E30)
“Little Ricky Learns to Play the Drums” (ILL S6;E2)
“Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9) & “Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14)
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14)
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14) – Sid Gould
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14) – Kathleen Freeman as Nurse Blake
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14) – Bernie Kopel as Interne
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14) – Kathleen Freeman as Nurse Blake & Karen Norris
“Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14)
“Lucy Sues Mooney” (TLS S6;E12) – Bennett Green as the Medical Attendant
“Lucy Sues Mooney” (TLS S6;E12) – Vanda Barra
“Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft” (TLS S5;E9) – Herb Vigran as Doctor Cooper
“Lucy, the Superwoman” (TLS S4;E26) – Parley Baer as Dr. Davis
“Lucy’s Big Break” (HL S5;E1) – Alan Oppenheimer as Dr. Matt Parker & Lloyd Bridges as Dr. Paul Murray
“Lucy’s Big Break” (HL S5;E1) – Lloyd Bridges as Dr. Paul Murray
“Lucy’s Big Break” (HL S5;E1)
& “Lucy and Eva Gabor are Hospital Roomies” (HL S5;E2) – Mary Wickes as Nurse Sylvia Ogilvy
“Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils” (HL S2;E5) – Mary Wickes as Nurse Hurlow. Inset photo of Mary Wickes as Nurse Preen in The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939)
“Lucy’s Big Break” (HL S5;E1) & “Lucy and Eva Gabor are Hospital Roomies” (HL S5;E2) – June Whitely Taylor
“Lucy’s Big Break” (HL S5;E1) – Alan Oppenheimer as Dr. Matt Parker
“Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils” (HL S2;E5) – Paula Stewart as Nurse Dean
“Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils” (HL S2;E5) – Paula Stewart as Nurse Dean
“Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils” (HL S2;E5) – Adele Claire as Nurse Whitton
“Lucy is N.G. as an R.N.” (HL S6;E17)
“Lucy and the Astronauts” (HL S4;E5) – Roy Roberts as Dr. Jamison
“Harrison Carter, Male Nurse” (HL S5;E3)
“Harrison Carter, Male Nurse” (HL S5;E3)
“Lucy and the Great Airport Chase” (HL S1;E18) – Albert Reed as Paramedic
“Lucy and the 20 / 20 Vision” (HL S3;E18) – Jack Collins as Dr. Collins
“Lucy, the Part-Time Wife” (HL S3;E14) – Jean Willes as Nurse Krebs
“The Super Comedy Bowl” (1971)
“Bob Hope’s All-Star Comedy Tribute to Vaudeville” (1977)
“The Practice” (1976) – Dena Dietrich as Nurse Gibbons & Danny Thomas as Dr. Jules Bedford
“The Practice” (1976) – Danny Thomas as Dr. Jules Bedford
“The Practice” (1976) – Dena Dietrich as Nurse Gibbons & Danny Thomas as Dr. Jules Bedford
“The Practice” (1976) – David Spielberg as Dr. David Bedford
“Lucy Makes a Hit with John Ritter” (LWL S1;E2)
Bernie Kopel, CBS, Corona Virus, Covid-19, Danny Thomas, Doctor, Doctors, Florence Nightingale, Gale Gordon, Here’s Lucy, Hospital, I love lucy, Joe Namath, John Ritter, Kathleen Freeman, Life With Lucy, Lloyd Bridges, Lucille Ball, Lucy, Mary Jane Lewis, Mary Wickes, maxine semon, Nurse, Nurses, Orderlies, Paula Stewart, The Lucy Show, The Practice, tv, Yours Mine and Ours -
THE LUCIE ARNAZ SHOW
April 2, 1985
Produced by Sam Denhoff Productions and Taft Entertainment Television
Producers: Susan Seeger, Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman
“The Lucie Arnaz Show” was based on the British television sitcom “Agony” (1979-81) starring Maureen Lipman as Dr. Jane Lucas. The original series ran for 20 episodes on LWT (London Weekend Television). Guest cast included actors like Bill Nighy, Rosalind Ayres, Miranda Richardson, and Phyllida Law.
On “Here’s Lucy” there was an attempt to spin off Lucie’s character of Kim Carter for her own sitcom. In 1972, the last episode of season 4, “Kim Cuts You-Know-Who’s Apron Strings” (HL S4;E24), essentially served as the pilot for a story that had Kim moving to her own apartment, introducing a new cast of characters, one of whom was Lucy’s brother Herb, an uncle invented for the new series. CBS did not pick-up the pilot for production and Arnaz remained part of the regular cast of “Here’s Lucy” in seasons 5 and 6. While it seems unlikely that Lucille Ball was incapable of convincing CBS to pick up the new series, most likely Ball didn’t want to pressure CBS due to Vivian Vance’s sudden illness. Without Vance to fill-in as Lucy’s side-kick, Lucie was needed on “Here’s Lucy.”
After viewing the pilot CBS made a six episode commitment to the show, but recast everyone but Lucie and Karen Jablons-Alexander (Loretta). Broadway’s Chip Zien was one of the casting casualties. CBS aired all six episodes (with a two-month break after episode 4) but they declined to pick up the show for their Fall 1985 schedule.
CBS also made the executive decision to change the title from “Agony” to “The Lucie Arnaz Show,” a decision Lucie was conflicted about. While she was flattered to have her name on a show she felt good about, she felt it was not a show about Lucie Arnaz, but Jane Lucas. In England, the term ‘Agony Aunts’ applies to those who give advice, much like Dear Abby or Ann Landers in America. CBS insisted the title was too short to be quickly found and understood in the TV listings.
Unlike her mother’s sitcoms, the show was NOT filmed with three cameras in front of a studio audience, but on location in New York City with one camera.
Between the time the pilot was shot (late 1984) and production resumed after CBS gave the show the green light, Lucie Arnaz became pregnant with her third child, Kate. Production was sped up and Arnaz’s wardrobe successfully hid her pregnancy from viewers. Coincidentally, Lucille Ball herself was pregnant with Lucie when filming the pilot for “I Love Lucy” in 1951.
CBS picked up the show as a replacement series for “Alice”, a sitcom starring Linda Lavin that ended its 9 season run on March 19, 1985. Although Monday nights had been lucky for Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz was given Tuesday evenings, taking the 8:00pm time slot of “The Jeffersons” which moved to 8:30pm for its final months on the air. “The Jeffersons” aired its final episode on June 25, two weeks after the end of “The Lucie Arnaz Show,” so CBS moved it back to 8pm and aired it alongside a rerun of “Alice” at 8:30pm.
Series Premise
“Advice Radio 88 – Your spot for music and mental health in the afternoon”.
Lucie Arnaz plays Dr. Jane Lucas, a radio call-in host in New York City, who also writes a newspaper column and holds down a private practice. She has to deal with her eccentric secretary Loretta, her chauvinistic boss Jim, her immature co-host Larry, and her interfering sister Jill.
“The always ingratiating Miss Arnaz as a psychologist who not only writes an advice column, but also takes calls from listeners on her own radio program.“ ~ New York Times
The show features Jane contending (by phone) with her over-protective mother. Viewers cannot help but think of the real-life mother Lucille Ball, who looms large over the CBS sitcom world. In fact, promo material for the series touted ‘You’ll Love This Lucie!’
In the mid-1960s, CBS employed Abigail Van Buren to bring her “Dear Abby” advice column to the airwaves just as Dr. Jane Lucas did on Advice Radio 88′s “The Love and Lucas Show” in the mid-1980s.
CBS also recruited Lucille Ball to do a daily 15 minute talk show (as herself) titled “Let’s Talk To Lucy”. Although not strictly an advice show, Ball was known to speak her mind if she was so inclined.
In addition to her co-hosting duties at WPLE, Jane writes a column for the Daily Mirror, which was also the name of the newspaper that Lucy Ricardo read about Rosemary in “Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer” (S1;E10).
Although it was a real-life newspaper, New York’s Daily Mirror ceased publication in 1963, making it fictional in Jane Lucas’s New York, but not Lucy Ricardo’s!
Jane lives in Apartment 4A on East 70th Street. From 1951 to May 1953, the Ricardos lived in Apartment 4A on East 68th Street.
Jane plays short-stop for the WPLE softball team. Lucy Carmichael and Viv Bagley played softball for the Danfield Volunteer Fire Department in “Lucy and Viv Play Softball” (TLS S2;E23) in 1963.
Although she played music instead of dispensing advice, Lucy Carmichael hosted a radio show in “Lucy the Disc Jockey” (TLS S3;E26) in 1965.
In 1981, the same year “Agony” ended in Great Britain, Desi Arnaz Jr. was in a TV movie titled “Advice to the Lovelorn” starring Chloris Leachman as an advice columnist named Maggie Dale. The telefilm served as a pilot for a series that was not picked up for production.
In 1933, the same year Lucille Ball arrived in Hollywood, United Artists released a film adaptation of the Nathaniel West novel “Miss Lonelyhearts” titled Advice to the Lovelorn (later changed to Advice to the Forlorn), about a newspaper reported demoted to writing the lonely hearts column of his newspaper. It featured “I Love Lucy” character actor Charles Lane.
In 1958, the story was remade again, this time with Montgomery Clift as the demoted reporter writing to the heartbroken. This version was titled Lonelyhearts and was adapted by Dore Schary, and produced by Walter Reilly, both of whom were characters on “I Love Lucy”.
Finally, just a year before “The Lucie Arnaz Show” started filming its pilot, PBS presented a more faithful adaptation of “Miss Lonelyhearts” starring Eric Roberts as the writer.
In 2020, “The Lucie Arnaz Show” began streaming on Tubi, a free TV streaming service.
“I wasn’t anxious to do a television series. I have no desire to become any more famous than I already am–and I don’t mean that egotistically. It’s just that I’ve been well known for…well, really ever since I was born, because of whose daughter I was, and I’ve never had a burning ambition to be famous. I grew up with it; I know what it’s like.” ~ Lucie Arnaz, Los Angeles Times
REGULAR CAST
Lucie Arnaz (Dr. Jane Lucas) is the real-life daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. She was born in 1951 just before the premiere of “I Love Lucy.” Lucille Ball was actually pregnant during the filming of the show’s pilot. Despite rumors to the contrary, Lucie Arnaz never appeared on “I Love Lucy.” Lucie played Cynthia (as well as other characters) on “The Lucy Show.” She has been twice married, to actor Phil Vandervort (1971) and actor-writer Laurence Luckinbill (1980–present). She has three children with Luckinbill: Simon, Joseph, and Katharine. She now lives in Palm Springs, California, near the home once owned by her parents.
Jane is 31 years old and a graduate of New York University. Arnaz was actually 33 and did not attend college.
Tony Roberts (Jim Gordon, Jane’s Boss) and Lucie Arnaz were both presenters at the 1981 Tony Awards aired on CBS. Coincidentally, Roberts was on Broadway in They’re Playing Our Song, although he joined the cast after Lucie Arnaz’s departure, playing opposite Anita Gillette as Sonia Walsk. In March 1985, just prior to the airing of this sitcom, Roberts, Arnaz, and Lucille Ball were three of the “Night of 100 Stars 2″ at Radio City Music Hall. In 2018, Roberts and Arnaz were two of the many stage stars interviewed for the Rick McKay documentary Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age.
Karen Jablons-Alexander (Loretta, Jane’s Secretary) was born in 1951 in Trenton, New Jersey. Aside from this short-lived series, she only has two other screen credits, both in 1991: a day player on “General Hospital” and a background character on the film True Colors. Aside from Lucie Arnaz, Jablons-Alexander was the only actor CBS retained from the pilot episode.
Lee Bryant (Jill, Jane’s Sister) is probably best remembered as Mrs. Hammen in both Airplane! and Airplane 2: The Sequel. From 1978 to 1979 Bryant starred in TV commercials for Yuban coffee, where she played a wife who can’t understand why her husband never wants to drink a second cup of her coffee. She also played Fran, ex-wife of “T.J. Hooker” (1982-83).
Todd Waring (Larry Love, Jane’s Co-Host) made his series TV debut with this show. He has been continually working ever since. He is married to actor Eve Gordon and has two children.
Tippy (Larry’s Invisible Dog)
Each episode began with a different handwritten note from a listener, after which, the credits begin.
EPISODES (aired in filming order)
April 2, 1985 – “The Old Boyfriend” (S1;E1)
Synopsis: Discovering that her old beau had indulged in a few lies, Dr. Lucas decides that ’’after 12 years, I can put down the torch.’’ At the half-hour’s end, she advises a listener that ’’happiness is being aware of the fact that you’re not going to be happy all of the time.”
- Director: Ed Feldman
- Writers: Susan Seeger
Rating 12.6 ~ In its first outing, the show attracted 20% of viewers, a sliver better than “Three’s a Crowd” on ABC, but well below “The A-Team” on NBC, which got 37%.
GUEST CAST
John Getz (Scott, Jane’s Old Boyfriend) is an Iowa-born theatre actor who appeared in the workshop and very first production of the musical The Robber Bridegroom. Goetz was standby for Robert Klein in Broadway’s They’re Playing Our Song starring Lucie Arnaz. One of Getz’s earliest roles was as ‘Shampoo Man’ in a Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo commercial shot in the late 1970s. He has recently been seen on “Better Call Saul” and “Grace & Frankie.”
Gene Klavan (Mel, Engineer) was born on May 4, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland. Klaven was a popular talk radio personality although on screen he was primarily a voice actor. He left radio in 1980 and died on April 8, 2004.
Thomas Quinn (Cab Driver) is best known as Desk Sergeant Martin on the CBS sitcom “Baker’s Dozen” (1981).
TRIVIA
555-WPLE was the advice line phone number, adhering to the old film and TV practice of using 555 as a telephone exchange.
The opening scene was filmed on location in front of the Ed Sullivan Theatre (above today), then home to the CBS sitcom “Kate & Allie”. Coincidentally, in 1987 “Kate & Allie” did an episode where Allie (Jane Curtain) dreams she is in “I Love Lucy.”
Across the street from the Ed Sullivan Theatre is the Broadway Theatre, where Anthony Quinn was performing in a revival of the 1968 musical Zorba. The revival ran from October 16, 1983 to September 2, 1984, which means the scene was shot sometime in late summer 1984.
On her office bulletin board, there is a Playbill for the musical My One and Only which opened on Broadway on May 1, 1983 and closed on March 3, 1985. It then launched a National Tour starring Sandy Duncan and Tommy Tune. Lucie Arnaz replaced Duncan on the second half of the tour. Lucie won the famed Chicago Sarah Siddons Award for her performance.
A view of the Empire State Building starts the final scene at the baseball diamond. Location footage of the Empire State Building was also seen in “Bon Voyage” (ILL S5;E13) as the helicopter carrying Lucy Ricardo toward the SS Constitution flies over Manhattan.
One of the most memorable episodes of “I Love Lucy” involved Lucy and Ethel (dressed as women from Mars) scaling the observation deck of the New York City landmark, although there was no establishing footage and the episode was filmed entirely in Hollywood.
The final scene of the episode takes place at a Central Park baseball field. Could this be the same field where Lucille Ball played for the Broadway Show League in 1961, batting for Wildcat with Julie Andrews (Camelot) as catcher and Joe E. Brown as ump?
April 9, 1985 – “Sisters” (S1;E2)
Synopsis:
Jane’s sister visits her for the week while her family is out of town.
- Director: Ed Feldman
- Writer: Susan Seeger, Kathy Speer & Terry Grossman
Rating 10.5 ~ The show fell to third place in its time period, drawing just 16% of the audience.
GUEST CAST
- Melissa Joan Hart (Sarah, Jane’s Niece) was an 8 year-old from Long Island when she made her TV debut with this episode. She is best known for playing the leading roles in “Clarissa Explains It All For You” (1991-94) and “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” (1996-2003).
- Sandy Schwartz (Billy, Jane’s Nephew, uncredited)
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Gwyn Gilliss (Peggy Gordon, Jim’s Wife) is a NY stage actor who is best known as Lisette Grummond on over 800 episodes of the soap opera “Loving”. She was also seen on the daytime dramas “All My Children,” “As The World Turns,” “Another World,” and “Ryan’s Hope.”
- Kate McKeown (Sister Bernadette)
- Richard Zavaglia (Sam, Engineer)
- Douglas Seale (Mr. Beverly, Jane’s Neighbor) was born in London in 1913. He was a New York stage actor seen in the original casts of The Dresser (1981) and Noises Off (1985), which earned him a Tony nomination. He was the voice of the Sultan in Aladdin (1992) and the voice of Krebbs in The Rescuers Down Under (1990). He died in 1999 at age 85.
Jane attends an event at the Club El Morocco. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were just two of the many celebrities who spent evenings at the Club, known for its zebra-print banquettes.
PRESS
“Will Miss Arnaz get better scripts to showcase her decidedly appealing personality? Perhaps only Sam Denhoff, the creator and executive producer, knows for sure.” ~ New York Times, April 9, 1985
April 23, 1985 – “Good Sports” (S1;E3)
Synopsis: Jane gets a poor review from a Sports writer (Danny Aiello).
- Director: Allan Baron
- Writers: Kathy Speer & Terry Grossman
Rating 9.2 ~ The show was not aired the previous week due to the mini-series “Space”. This week the show was up against two repeats, and still lost its time slot.
GUEST CAST
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Danny Aiello (Dick Rosetti, Sports Columnist) was nominated for an Oscar of 1989′s Do The Right Thing. In 2016, Aiello and Lucie Arnaz were both voices in the animated film Henry & Me. He appeared with Tony Roberts in the films Key Exchange (1985) and Radio Days (1987). He died in 2019 at age 86.
- Dick Boccelli (Dominick, Bar Patron)
- Frank Gio (Frankie, Bartender)
- Richard Zavaglia (Sam, Engineer)
April 30, 1985 – “Larry Writes the Songs” (S1;E4)
Synopsis: Jane reviews Larry’s song lyrics.
-
Director: Allen Baron
- Writer: Bob Colleary
Rating 7.5 ~ Once again the show was up against two repeats, and still lost its time slot.
GUEST CAST
- Ray DeMattis (Vitto, Mr. Gordon’s Barber) made his TV debut with this episode. He is a New York stage actor who was also seen in several TV shows featuring Bill Cosby.
- Melissa Joan Hart (Sarah, Jane’s Niece)
- Sandy Schwartz (Billy, Jane’s Nephew)
- Ted Schwartz (Buzzy Cone, Emcee)
- Carol Siskind (Cookie, Stand-Up Comic)
- Richard Zavaglia (Sam, Engineer)
- Douglas Seale (Mr. Beverly, Jane’s Neighbor)
June 4, 1985 – “Jane’s Desperate Hour” (S1;E5)
Synopsis: Jane helps a young woman with an abusive husband.
- Directed by: Peter Baldwin
- Written by: Len Richmond & Sam Denhoff
Rating 6.4 ~ Not only did the episode lose its time slot to reruns, it was the lowest rated show of the evening on all three networks.
GUEST CAST
- Kit LeFever (Marie, Jane’s Patient)
- Raymond Baker (Ralph, Marie’s Husband)
- Clarence Felder (Rocky, Jane’s Patient)
- Mark Kaplan (Cop)
- Richard Zavaglia (Sam, Engineer)
- Douglas Seale (Mr. Beverly, Jane’s Neighbor)
June 11, 1985 – “Birthday Blues” (S1;E6)
Synopsis: Jane puts together a ‘surprise’ birthday party for Mr. Gordon.
-
Director: Peter Baldwin
- Writer: Laura Levine
Rating 6.6 ~ Once again the show was the lowest rated show of the evening across the board. Although the rating share was up 2 tenths of a point from the previous week, it was too little, too late to give confidence for a fall 1985 renewal.
GUEST CAST
- Douglas Seale (Mr. Beverly, Jane’s Neighbor)
- Richard Zavaglia (Sam, Engineer)
FAST FORWARD!
In 1991, Lucie Arnaz was part of another failed CBS series, “Sons & Daughters”. Lucie played Tess Hammersmith in all 7 episodes that aired. 13 episodes were filmed, but the show was canceled on March 1, 1991, with six episodes that never aired. Five years earlier Lucille Ball experienced the same disappointment when “Life With Lucy” was canceled by ABC with several episodes still un-aired.
1985, Advice to the Lovelorn, Agony, Alice, Anthony Quinn, Dear Abby, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Douglas Seale, Ed Sullivan Theatre, Gene Klavan, Here’s Lucy, I love lucy, John Getz, Karen Jablons-Alexander, Lee Bryant, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Maureen Lipman, Melissa Joan Hart, Miss Lonelyhearts, New York City, Sons & Daughters, The Jeffersons, The Lucy Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, Todd Waring, Tony Roberts, Vivian Vance, Zorba -
Lucille Ball: Paying It Forward
In 1951, when Lucille Ball finally became the producer instead of the produced, she was able to hire many of the actors she worked side by side with in films since 1933. Here’s a look at Lucille Ball’s film career and the actors that later worked for Lucille Ball on her sitcoms.
Note: This list only includes actors who appeared on programs that Lucille Ball herself produced and appeared in, not other Desilu or LBP (Lucille Ball Productions) projects. The list also does not include Lucille Ball’s TV films, like “Stone Pillow”.
Follow the underlined hyperlinks to read about their series appearances.
* Indicates a background performer (extra) on a Lucille Ball series.
THE BOWERY (October 1933)
- Charles Lane
- Irving Bacon
- John Bleifer*
BROADWAY THROUGH A KEYHOLE (November 1933)
BLOOD MONEY (November 1933)
- John Bleifer*
- Bess Flowers*
ROMAN SCANDALS (December 1933)
MOULIN ROUGE (January 1934)
NANA (February 1934)
HOLD THAT GIRL
(March 1934)
BOTTOMS UP (April 1934)
MURDER AT THE VANITIES (May 1934)
- Shep Houghton*
BULLDOG
DRUMMOND STRIKES BACK (August 1934)
THE AFFAIRS OF CELLINI (August 1934)
- Bess
Flowers* - James Flavin
KID MILLIONS (November 1934)
- Ethel Merman
- Ann Sothern
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
- Caryl Lincoln*
- Barbara Pepper
- Rolfe Sedan
PERFECTLY MISMATED (November 1934)
MEN
OF THE NIGHT (November 1934)JEALOUSY (November 1934)
BROADWAY BILL
(December 1934)- Charles Lane
- Irving Bacon
- Bess Flowers*
THREE LITTLE PIGSKINS (December 1934)
FUGITIVE LADY (December 1934)
- William
Demarest - Bess Flowers*
- Mike Lally*
BEHIND THE EVIDENCE (January 1935)
HIS
OLD FLAME (January 1935)
CARNIVAL (January 1935)
THE WHOLE TOWN’S TALKING (February 1935)
- Edward G. Robinson
- Paul Harvey
- Bess Flowers*
ROBERTA (March 1935)
- Ginger Rogers
- Torben Mayer
- Mike Lally*
I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU (March 1935)
HOORAY FOR LOVE (June 1935)
- Ann Sothern
- Bess Flowers*
A NIGHT AT THE BILTMORE BOWL (June 1935)
OLD MAN RHYTHM (August 1935)
- Buddy Rogers
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
TOP HAT (September 1935)
THE THREE MUSKETEERS (November 1935)
I DREAM TOO MUCH (November 1935)
- James
Conaty*
FOOLISH HEARTS (December 1935)
CHATTERBOX (January 1936)
MUSS ‘EM UP
(February 1936)
FOLLOW THE FLEET (February 36)
THE FARMER IN THE DELL (February 1936)
BUNKER BEAN (June 1936)
SWING IT (July 1936)
DUMMY ACHE
(July 1936)SO AND SEW (August 1936)
ONE LIVE GHOST
(November 1936)
WINTERSET (December 1936)
THAT GIRL FROM PARIS (January 1937)
DON’T TELL THE WIFE (May 1937)
THERE GOES MY GIRL (May 1937)
- Ann Sothern
- Irving Bacon
- George DeNormand*
STAGE DOOR (October 1937)
- Ginger Rogers
- Eve Arden
- Bert Stevens*
GO CHASE YOURSELF (April 1938)
JOY OF LIVING (May 1938)
- James Burke
- Mike Lally*
- Charles Lane
- Harold Miller*
HAVING WONDERFUL TIME (July 1938)
- Ginger
Rogers - Red Skelton
- Eve Arden
- Sam Harris*
- Florence Lake
THE AFFAIRS OF ANNABEL (September 1938)
ROOM SERVICE (September 1938)
ANNABEL TAKES A TOUR (November 1938)
- Pepito Perez
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
NEXT TIME I MARRY (December 1938)
BEAUTY FOR THE ASKING (February 1939)
- Leon
Belasco
- Harold Miller*
TWELVE CROWDED HOURS (March 1939)
- John
Gallaudet - Mike Lally*
PANAMA LADY (May 1939)
FIVE CAME BACK (June 1939)
THAT’S RIGHT YOU’RE WRONG (November 1939)
THE MARINES FLY HIGH (May 1940)
YOU CAN’T FOOL YOUR WIFE (May 1940)
DANCE GIRL DANCE (August 1940)
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
- Mike Lally*
- Bert Stevens*
TOO MANY GIRLS (October 1940)
- Iron Eyes Cody
- Shep Houghton*
A GIRL, A GUY & A GOB (March 1941)
- Lloyd Corrigan
- Irving Bacon
- Leon Belasco
- Mike Lally*
LOOK WHO’S LAUGHING (November 1941)
VALLEY OF THE SUN (February 1942)
THE BIG STREET (September 1942)
- Jack Chefe
- James Conaty*
- Hans Conried
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
- Harold Miller*
- Gil Perkins
SEVEN DAYS’ LEAVE (November 1942)
DU BARRY WAS A LADY (August 1943)
- Red
Skelton - Marilyn Maxwell
- Hans Moebus*
- The Pied Pipers
- Paul Power
- Buddy Rich
- Pierre Watkin
- Eve Whitney
BEST FOOT FORWARD (October 1943)
- Harry
James - Bess Flowers*
THOUSANDS CHEER (January 1944)
- Mickey Rooney
- Ann Sothern
- Red Skelton
- Marilyn Maxwell
- Don Loper
- Dick Winslow*
- Eve Whitney
MEET THE PEOPLE (June 1944)
GI JOURNAL (1944)
WITHOUT LOVE (May 1945)
ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (April 1946)
ABBOTT & COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD
(October 1945)- Fred Aldrich
- Sam Harris*
- Harold Miller*
- Frank J. Scannell
- Amzie Strickland
THE DARK CORNER (May 1946)
- Ellen Corby
- Sam Harris*
- Harold Miller*
TWO SMART PEOPLE (June 1946)
- Lloyd Corrigan
- Bess Flowers*
- Shelley Winters
LOVER COME BACK (June 1946)
- Charles
Winninger
- Ellen Corby
- Bess Flowers*
- Frank J. Scannell
EASY TO WED (July 1946)
- Van Johnson
- James Flavin
- Dick Winslow*
LURED (September 1947)
- Jack Chefe
- James Conaty*
- Sam Harris*
- Shep Houghton*
- Mike Lally*
- Harold Miller*
HER HUSBAND’S AFFAIRS (November 1947)
SORROWFUL JONES (July 1949)
- Bob Hope
- William Demarest
- Ben Welden
- Bert Stevens*
- Walter Winchell
- Chuck Hamilton*
EASY LIVING (September 1949)
MISS GRANT TAKES RICHMOND
(September 1949)A WOMAN OF DISTINCTION (March 1950)
- Gail
Bonney - Harry Cheshire
- Gale Gordon
- Mary Ellen Kay
- Norman Leavitt
- Hans Moebus*
FANCY PANTS (July 1950)
- Bob Hope
- Norma Varden
- Sam Harris*
THE FULLER BRUSH GIRL (September 1950)
- Eddie
Albert - Jerome Cowan
- Gail Bonney
- Barbara Pepper
- Red Skelton
- Bert Stevens*
- Amzie Strickland
- Mary Treen
THE MAGIC CARPET (October 1951)
~ After “I Love Lucy” ~
THE LONG LONG TRAILER (February 1954)
- Gladys
Hurlbut - Moroni Olsen
- Madge Blake
- James Conaty*
- Fred Aldrich
- Juney Ellis
- Mike Lally*
- Norman Leavitt
- Louis A. Nicoletti
- Herb Vigran
FOREVER DARLING (February 1956)
- John Emery
- Natalie Schafer
- Ralph Dumke
- Nancy Kulp
- Ruth Brady
- Leon Alton*
- Audrey Betz
- Bess Flowers*
- Sam Harris*
- Marilyn Maxwell
- Harold Miller*
- Monty O’Grady*
- Hazel Pierce
- Murray Pollack*
THE FACTS OF LIFE (November 1960)
- Bob Hope
- Phil Ober
- William Lanteau
- Robert F. Simon
- Leon Alton*
- George Bruggerman*
- Steve Carruthers*
- George DeNormand*
- Bess Flowers*
- Norman Leavitt
- Caryl Lincoln*
- William Meader*
- Hans Moebus*
- Monty O’Grady*
- Hazel Pierce
- Vito Scotti
- Bert Stevens*
- Hal Taggart*
- Norman Stevans*
- Judith Woodbury*
- Bernard Sell*
CRITICS CHOICE (April 1963)
- Bob Hope
- Marilyn Maxwell
- Richard Deacon
- Jerome Cowan
- Stanley Adams
- Leon Alton*
- Paul Cristo*
- George DeNormand*
- James Flavin
- Bess Flowers*
- Sid Gould
- Breena Howard
- Mike Lally*
- Harold Miller*
- Murray Pollack*
- Freida Renti*
- Victor Romito*
- Bernard Sell*
- Hal Smith
- Ralph Volkie
YOURS, MINE, AND OURS (April 1968)
- Van
Johnson - Tim Matheson
- Leon Alton*
- Paul Bradley*
- Leoda Richards*
- Norman Stevens*
MAME (March 1974)
- John McGiver
- Don Porter
- Ruth McDevitt
- Burt Mustin
- Joseph La Cava*
- Mike Lally*
- Leoda Richards*
- Victor Romito*
- George Holmes*
- Robert Hitchcock*
- Norman Stevens*
Busiest Actors in LucyLand!
Bess Flowers (aka ”Queen of the Extras”) ~ 17 films (1933-1963)
Mike Lally ~ 10 films (1934-1963)
Irving Bacon ~ 7 films (1933-1941)
Charles Lane ~ 7 films (1933-1949)
Ginger Rogers ~ 5 films (1935-1938)
Ann Sothern ~ 5 films (1933-1944)
Barbara Pepper ~ 5 films (1933-1936)
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THE LUCY MUSEUM of ART
A look at the various paintings seen on Lucycoms!
The artwork seen on Lucille Ball’s four sitcoms was coordinated by the set decorator, generally pulled from props and set stock. It was not unusual for a piece to turn up in more than one location and even on another series! Note: For this blog, we are just looking at paintings, not sculpture or advertising art.
[I am indebted to the website www.50slucy.com and their many contributors for much of what you are about to read!]
Probably the most iconic painting in history turned up on “The Lucy Show” in January 1964. The Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) is a half-length portrait of Lisa Gherardini by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), which has been described as the best known, most visited, most written about, most sung about, most parodied work of art in the world. The portrait is known for its enigmatic grin, which Lucy attempts to mimic in this episode. The actual painting hangs in the Louvre in Paris, France. Unlike the reproduction seen in this episode, in real life it is a mere 30” by 21”.
Lucille Ball revived the ‘Mona Lucy’ sight gag in 1977 on “Bob Hope’s All-Star Comedy Tribute to Vaudeville”.
In the very same “Lucy Show” episode as Mona, Harold’s Art Store displays the Edgar Degas painting Dancers at the Barre – a masterwork begun in the early 1880s and continuously revised by the artist for the next 20 years.
The Degas painting
L’Etoile (The Star)
turns up in multiple locations on “I Love Lucy,” including the Ricardo apartment, the Mertz’s Hollywood hotel room, and the San Diego hotel room of Maurice Chevalier. It was painted by Degas in 1878 and follows his fascination with ballet dancers. It now hangs in the Musee D’Orsay in Paris.
In “Oil Wells” (ILL S3;E18) a bickering Lucy and Ethel call a truce in the hallway where a framed print of L’école de Dance (School of Ballet), also by Edgar Degas, adorns the wall.
In “Sentimental Anniversary” (ILL S3;E16), just two weeks earlier, the hallway was decorated with Woman in White Dress by Leonard Campbell Taylor (1874-1969).
Over the mantle in the Ricardo’s first apartment hangs Farm Scene by Margo Alexander (1894-1965) from her series of California Artist Provincials. This busy folk art print seems to reinforce the effect that their apartment is too small for Lucy, Ricky, and a new baby.
In their second apartment, another Margo Alexander folk art landscape is above the mantle.
Still another Margo Alexander print is glimpsed from the ledge in “Lucy Cries Wolf” (ILL S4;E3). Many times, paintings were hung on backing flats such as these to ‘dress up’ blank walls.
The Ricardos had two framed prints by Grandma Moses next to their front door: So Long (1948) and The Old Snow Roller (1948). Grandma Moses aka Anna Mary Robertson Moses (1860-1961) was an American folk artist who began painting at the age of 78 and is often cited as an example of a person who successfully began a career at an advanced age.
While Lucy and Ricky lived in their first apartment the above painting by Maurice Utrillo Restaurant au Mont Cenis (1922) hung prominently on the back wall of the living room above the piano, or the desk. The actual print was eventually gifted to Lucille Ball’s costume designer Elois Jennsen and auctioned off upon her death.
The next landscape that appears on the back wall of the Ricardo’s living room (replacing the Utrillo print when Lucy got her new furniture) is a lithograph painted by Frank Serratoni (1908-60).
The landscape print next to the Serratoni also turns up in the home of Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) on “The Andy Griffith Show,” also produced by Desilu.
In “New Neighbors” (ILL S1;E21) we get the one and only glimpse of Georges Braque’s Still Life With Jug and Lemons seen on the wall of the hallway to the bedroom. Braque (1882-1963) produced hand signed lithographs of this print and this could be one of them. He worked closely with Picasso to develop the cubist style of painting.
In that same episode, in the hallway outside the “New Neighbors’” apartment, is a framed lithograph of “Off to Market” painted by Mexican artist Diego Rivera (1886-1957) in 1937. The original is now in the gallery of Ferdinand Roten of Baltimore, Maryland.
In the Ricardo bedroom there is a small framed print of Major John Biddle by 19th century portraitist Thomas Sully (1783-1872). The original hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Biddle (1792-1859) served the army in the War of 1812 when only 20 and stayed in the army until 1821. In 1818, Biddle acquired 1,800 acres of land south of Detroit and in 1835 built an estate there which he named Wyandotte, after the Native American people who had once lived there. Coincidentally, for work reasons, Lucille Ball’s father moved the family to Biddle Street in Wyandotte, where he died of Typhoid in 1915. Is the portrait’s placement mere coincidence?
BALLETIC BEDROOMS!
Probably the most iconic of “I Love Lucy” artwork is the male and female ballet dancers over their beds. They have never been attributed and may have been created especially for the show. Ballet was certainly a common theme in the show’s choice of artwork.
After Lucy gets her foot caught in the pail of cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, she hides from Ricky in the Mertz’s hotel room. Above Fred and Ethel’s beds are two framed ballerina prints by Cydney Grossman titled Curtain Call (left) and Between the Acts (right).
But in “Ricky Sells the Car” (ILL S5;E4), just three weeks later, it appears that the Mertzes are in a different hotel room with different ballet prints above the beds. These are done by painter Pal Fried.
In the Mertz New York apartment, the painting on the wall above the lamp is Roses with a Blue Tit by a Stream by Jean Baptiste Claude Robie (1821-1910).
In “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8) the left side of the party line set is decorated with a print called “The Harvest” by F. Molina Campos, an Argentinian artist. His prints were given away and published on calendars by the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Company staring in 1942.
In Connecticut, the Ramsey home is exquisitely decorated with a framed print of Claude Monet’s Cliff Walk at Pourville (1882) on the wall in the foyer. The original painting currently resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.
THE ART OF DINING
In “Equal Rights” (ILL S3;E4), the large painting on the wall of the Italian Restaurant is titled Peasant Dance (1568) by Pieter Breugel the Elder. The original is held at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Breugel was a Dutch artist, so it is odd to find this painting in an Italian restaurant.
In a French restaurant in “The French Revue” (ILL S3;E7), the artwork on the back wall is a bit more appropriate. The whimsical abstract tribute to Paris has not been attributed.
Probably the most famous artwork in Tinseltown could be found on the walls of the Hollywood Brown Derby. An artist named Vitch was the first to participate in the iconic collection of caricatures of the stars. Others to follow include Zel, Pancho, and Jack Lane. Jimmy Durante’s portrait took up two frames – one for his nose!
In 1969, the Hollywood Brown Derby (and the legendary caricatures) made another appearance, this time on “Here’s Lucy”. Both episodes were filmed in studio, not on location, so the caricatures had to be painstakingly recreated by studio artists.
In the Ricardo’s Hollywood hotel room is a print of the Georges Rouault (1878-1958) painting The Old King. This is considered Rouault’s finest work.
Another Rouault is hanging closer to the door. This is one of his many paintings of Pierrot, a French clown.
ARTFUL EUROPE!
Europe is the center of the art world, so it stands to reason that art would be encountered on nearly every episode when the Ricardos and Mertzs travel overseas.
In “Paris at Last” (ILL S5;E18) much of the action revolves around a worthless mass-produced painting bought on the streets of Paris.
On the wall of the Ricardo’s hotel room in Switzerland there is a framed Medieval print from the Codex Manesse of Walther von Klingen, a songbook written and illustrated between 1304 and 1340 in Zürich. Von Klingen (1220-1286) was a Swiss-born minstrel and composer.
On the wall of the Mertzes Monte Carlo hotel room is a well known Nicholas Lancret framed print called La Camargo Dancing.
Seen in the Mertzes hotel room are framed cameo miniatures. Similar miniatures are seen in the Mertz living room and in the Ricardo’s apartment following their return home from the trip.
A framed print of The Festival of Love by Jean-Antoine Watteau is seen in the Ricardo’s Monte Carlo hotel room.
Also on the wall of the Ricardo’s Monte Carlo hotel room is a framed print of an antique song sheet reproduced from an original copper plate print by engraver George Bickham. The sheet of music is entitled Reason for Loving and is from the song book ‘The Musical Entertainer circa 1737 and 1739 Vol II.’
MODERN ART
One particular folk art painting (possibly by Grandma Moses) turned up multiple times on “The Lucy Show”. First in the Carmichael living room, then in Viv’s bedroom, and finally in the parlor of Mel Tinker’s (Mel Torme) family home in Bancroft.
The famous unfinished portrait of President George Washington by Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), who is widely considered one of America’s foremost portraitists, is also seen in quite a few episodes of the series’. This is his best known work and is sometimes referred to as The Athenaeum.
In “Lucy Gets Mooney Fired” (TLS S6;E9), Lucy replaces the portrait of Washington with one that depicts Mr. Mooney as the Father of our Country in order to ‘gaslight’ him!
The portrait of Abraham Lincoln in “Lucy and the Raffle” (HL S3;E19) is by David Bustill Bowser (1820-1900) finished in 1865. Both portraits were commonly seen in American classrooms, courtrooms, and other governmental buildings.
In 1963′s “Lucy Visits The White House” (TLS S1;E25), the final scene takes place in an anteroom of the Oval Office decorated with The Bell’s First Note (1913) by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. His paintings showed idealized portrayals of famous moments from American history, in this case the first striking of the Liberty Bell. There is no evidence, however, that this real painting ever was hung in the White House.
In “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor” (TLS S3;E24), the painting in Mr. Patterson’s office that hides the camera is called The Knockout and was painted by French artist Luc-Albert Moreau (1882-1948) in 1927.
INTERACTIVE ART
A hungry Shelley Summers (Shelley Winters) plucks a banana from a wall art fruit basket in “Lucy and Miss Shelley Winters” (HL S1;E4).
A thirsty Foster Brooks (Foster Brooks) pours himself a glass of wine from a vineyard still life in "Tipsy Through the Tulips” (HL S6;E10).
LUCY THE SUBJECT
In the season six opener of “Here’s Lucy”, painter Danny Gallupi (Danny Thomas) paints a nude portrait of Lucy Carter, although he adds a few strategic elements of modesty before the portrait is finally unveiled.
For the 1974 movie Mame, set decorators created a portrait of Mame Dennis inspired by Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Emilie Flöge (1902). The painting hung at the top of the stairs in Mame’s Beekman Place brownstone and is clearly visible during the song “It’s Today.”
Lucille Ball’s friend Lee Tannen inherited the painting of Lucy that was at first intended to hang at the top of the stairs in Mame, until producers realized that Lucille Ball never had bright red hair in the film. This portrait is based upon the image of Angela Lansbury holding a trumpet that was used during the original Broadway production in 1966.
The plot of “Bungle Abbey,” an un-aired sitcom pilot directed by Lucille Ball, revolves around a portrait of the Abbey’s founder, Brother Bungle!
In “Nursery School” (ILL S5;E9), the first painting Little Ricky does is interpreted as an elephant sailing a houseboat. Lucy says he will be another “Grandpa Moses”!
When “Lucy Builds a Rumpus Room” (TLS S1;E11) she mistakenly glues a paint brush and a glove to the wall. Viv suggests framing it and passing it off as a Picasso. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century.
In 1970, Lucy Carter buys a painting at an auction and brings it to art connoisseur and horror film actor Vincent Price to be appraised. Price says there may be a valuable work of art underneath and naturally Harry sees dollar signs!
When it is finally restored, and the image beneath is revealed, the painting is worse than worthless!
A full size portrait of crooner Rudy Vallee startles Lucy and Kim when they are momentarily left alone in his Hollywood mansion in a 1970 episode of “Here’s Lucy”!
In “Lucy Takes Over” (HL S2;E23), Harry has a portrait of his great grandfather (also named Harrison Otis Carter) hanging over his fireplace – but just for this episode.
On “Here’s Lucy” painter Danny Gallupi (Danny Thomas) cites Van Gogh, Gaughin, and Modigliani as painters who only found fame and fortune after death. Gallups sells Harry his painting of a ship (which Harry annoyingly calls a “picture of a boat”) for $500!
Abraham Lincoln, Art, artwork, CBS, Danny Thomas, Desi Arnaz, Ed McMahon, Europe, Foster Brooks, Gale Gordon, George Washington, Hayden Rorke, Here’s Lucy, Hollywood, Hollywood Brown Derby, I love lucy, Johnny Carson, Klimt, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucy, Mame, Mel Torme, paintings, Rudy Vallee, Shelley Winters, The Lucy Show, tv, Vincent Price, Vivian Vance -
RIP KENNY ROGERS
1938-2020
Kenny Rogers, country music icon, was born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas. Rogers charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres, topped the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone, and sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Rogers and Lucille Ball had sat next to one another for five years of the Carousel Ball charity event in Denver, Colorado, a benefit for Children’s Diabetes.
“Simply say the name ‘Lucy’ and millions of people will know exactly who you are talking about. Now that’s stature!” ~ Kenny Rogers, 1987
In 1986, he photographed Lucille Ball between takes on “Life With Lucy” for his new book Your Friends and Mine: A Collection of 80 Photographs, published in 1987.
Coincidentally, one of Rogers biggest hit songs was “Lucille” in 1977 for which he won a Grammy. The only connection to Lucille Ball is the name.
On February 27, 1985, Kenny Rogers, Lucille Ball, and 98 other celebrities took part in “Night of 100 Stars 2″ at Radio City Music Hall and aired on ABC.
Kenny Rogers was married five times and had five children. Kenny Rogers was 81 when he died at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
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LUCY’S GUIDE to SOCIAL DISTANCING
A Lucy-lovers guide for getting through the current health crisis.
{Note: This is NOT medical advice and should not be taken as such. Things are changing constantly so please consult up-to-date news and information to guide your behavior. Updated July 31, 2020.}
First and foremost – WASH YOUR HANDS! Sing the “I Love Lucy” theme song while washing with hot, soapy water! Do it often!
Don’t SHAKE HANDS, hug, or kiss! For the time being, a nod, wave, or verbal greeting is best. Lucy’s friends Ralph & Ed got the message!
At home and work, make sure to vigorously WIPE down all surfaces daily with a bacteria-killing agent.
Don’t TOUCH YOUR FACE! Don’t put your fingers near your mouth, eyes, or nose! If you do, repeat the above steps!
Keep up with the latest NEWS on what’s happening with the virus and how you can do your part to limit infection (yours and others) and save lives.
When in the company of others, especially strangers, stay at least SIX FEET APART. No close talkers!
Remember to steer clear of CROWDS. Even people without obvious symptoms can pass the virus on to you – and vice versa. Even if the group is less than the current government mandate, err on the side of caution and stay home.
Avoid PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. If you must use trains and buses, avoid peak hours.
Carry HAND SANITIZER and WIPES with you when you venture out. Don’t be shy about using them.
Monitor the health of yourself and your family, but DO NOT SELF-DIAGNOSE or rely on out-of-date information. If in doubt, contact your health care professional.
Keep your DOCTOR’S CONTACT INFO handy! If possible, you should not immediately burden the hospital emergency rooms without checking with a physician first.
If you do end up going to the HOSPITAL, be a patient patient. Remember that they are there to help you and MANY OTHERS so over-reacting to delays and inconclusive diagnoses out of frustration will not help.
Wear a MASK when in public! According to all medical authorities, face coverings help curb the spread of the Corona Virus and (most importantly) keep others safe if you are infected or asymptomatic! Wear a mask!
HOARDING and OVER-BUYING burdens our retail stores and creates shortages for everyone. Buy just what you need for a week or two!
Instead of venturing out to the supermarket or a restaurant (if they are open), consider a HOME DELIVERY SERVICE. This limits or eliminates interpersonal contact and helps support retail establishments during the crisis.
CHECK ON YOUR ELDERLY friends, neighbors, and relatives – but try to maintain social distancing rules. You could unwittingly pass the virus to your loved ones and that would be difficult to cope with.
Consider HELPING THOSE IN NEED. There’s always someone less fortunate. Acts of kindness are especially appreciated during times of crisis.
WORK FROM HOME if at all possible. Have a conversation with your employer about the possibilities. If it is not do-able, discuss how workplace conduct and procedures will be altered to promote health and safety. If you are sick – even just a little bit – STAY HOME!
Practice SOCIAL DISTANCING by staying in your home as much as possible. At this time of crisis, it is imperative we isolate ourselves in order to contain the spread of the virus and not over-burden the health care system. Flatten the curve!
To battle cabin fever (no pun intended), STAY IN TOUCH with friends and family to fight feelings of isolation or depression – especially if you live alone. Don’t be embarrassed to confide in them if you are scared or sick. We are all in this together!
If you are stressed (and who isn’t?), try MEDITATION or YOGA. Or just sit quietly and listen to the birds or your own heartbeat. It works wonders to promote inner peace.
This is a good time to give the house a good spring CLEANING – in addition to your daily routine of home hygiene.
READING a good book helps pass the time and is a great diversion. Try to pick topics and stories that lighten your mood.
ARTS & CRAFTS PROJECTS also help pass the time and bring out the creative side of you.
Keep fit and healthy! Many public gyms may be closed, so keep fit by setting up a HOME GYM. Even if you don’t have fancy equipment, you can designate a room or corner as the fitness area. Instead of barbells, lift paint cans or other heavy objects you find around the house.
Providing you can get hold of the ingredients, now might be a good time to try out that recipe you’ve been holding onto. BAKING and COOKING can make staying indoors a lot less dull and fill your home with amazing aromas!
It’s perfectly okay to go for a WALK or a HIKE, as long as you observe the social distancing rules of staying six feet away from others. Just watch your footing. There might not be anyone around to rescue you!
Even if you just get out to WALK THE DOG, that’s something.
Watch – or better yet make – HOME MOVIES. You can also do a podcast or Facebook Live to let people know what you are thinking and feeling.
Gather around the piano (or the karaoke machine) for a good old family SONGFEST. Music lifts the spirits.
If you ever wanted to WRITE the great American novel, play, or your memoirs – now is the time! It could be the next “Forever Ember” or “Real Gone With the Wind”!
Last, but certainly not least, you can watch TELEVISION! Finally clear out your DVR or subscribe to a streaming service. Of course, there’s one show that never gets old….
If you really get bored, try to name the episodes that all of these screen grabs came from WITHOUT using Google!
This crisis may go on for some time – and things may seem bleak – but remember that this – like most everything – is only temporary.
Art Carney, Corona, Corona Virus, Covid-19, COVID19, Danny Thomas, Desi Arnaz, Edward Everett Horton, Epidemic, Gale Gordon, Health, Here’s Lucy, I love lucy, Isolation, Jackie Gleason, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucy, Mary Wickes, Pandemic, Safety, Shelter in Place, Social Distancing, Sterile, The Honeymooners, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance
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