Tag: Lucy
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LUCY’S FIRSTS & LASTS
The beginnings and ends of Lucille Ball’s more than 40 year television career. THE FIRST time Lucille Ball appeared on television ~ December 1947 This was a local, not national, television program called “Mike Stokey’s Pantomime Quiz Time.” Lucy loved to play charades and later appeared on a similar show called “Body Language.” Records are vague,…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1988 & 1989 The final years of Lucille Ball’s life. “America’s Tribute to Bob Hope” ~ March 5, 1988 To celebrate the opening of the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Springs, dozens of friends gather and offer comedy and musical performances to honor the building’s namesake. Taped on January 2, 1988. The regular gang…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1987 After the cancellation of “Life With Lucy” and the death of Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball makes precious few appearances on television. “Super Password” ~ January 16, 1987 Lucille Ball plays with Betty White and Ann Dusenberry (”Life With Lucy”). This episode was taped on December 2, 1986, the same day Desi Arnaz passed away. “The…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1986 Lucille Ball is convinced by Aaron Spelling to give series television one last attempt with “Life With Lucy.” The series is cancelled after eight episodes. Lucy is devastated. “AFI Achievement Award: A Tribute to Billy Wilder” ~ March 6, 1986 Lucille Ball is one of the many guests paying tribute to the filmmaker. Jack Lemmon…
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LUCY is BACK ON BROADWAY!
As a character in the new Broadway musical The Cher Show! According to The Hollywood Reporter: “Among the show’s nuttier moments is an encounter with Lucille Ball, when Cher is concerned about how the American public will react to her separation from Sonny Bono (Jarrod Spector) after he has worked her to exhaustion and shafted…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1983 & 1984 Still under contract to NBC, Lucille Ball is featured on most of Bob Hope’s many specials. She also fills her time playing charades on game shows. 1984 ends with an all-star party to honor Lucy. “4th Annual TV Guide Special: 1982 – The Year in Television” ~ January 24, 1983 Lucille Ball…
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RIP Ken Berry ~ Actor, singer, dancer. While Lucille Ball by no means ‘discovered’ Berry, she was instrumental in kick-starting his TV career. When he was performing in “The Billie Barnes Revue,” Ball offered him a job at Desilu for $50 a week in her Desilu Workshop. He made his TV debut in a 1960…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1982 In 1982 Lucille Ball fills her year with tributes, awards, and guest appearances. “The John Davidson Show” (S2;E98) ~ February 26, 1982 John Davidson had appeared on “Here’s Lucy” in 1973. Other guests are Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. “Bob Hope’s Women I Love – Beautiful But Funny” ~ February 28, 1982 Bob Hope takes a…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1981 Lucille Ball’s first full year under contract to NBC yields very little: one failed pilot and a Bob Hope special. 1981 also marks the 30th anniversary of “I Love Lucy.” “Bob Hope’s 30th Anniversary Television Special” ~ January 18, 1981 A retrospect of Bob Hope’s first 30 years on TV. Celebrating with Bob are guests…
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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION
1980 As she begins what would be the last decade of her life, Lucille Ball makes a momentous decision – to leave CBS for NBC. “Sinatra: The First 40 Years” ~ January 30, 1980 Lucille Ball is one of many guests of Frank Sinatra celebrating his 64th birthday and 40th year in show business. Taped…