MORE ABOUT HERE'S LUCY
by Billy Ingram

I can't explain it, but one of my favorite classic TV shows is Here's Lucy. I suppose it's because it's so silly and devoid of any pretense of reality. Lucille Ball, unique among performers, was able to transcend banal material and make it fresh and enjoyable.

Here's Lucy worked for as long as it did partially because the public was already 'invested' in Lucy after 2 long running series. With strong, big name guest stars each week, Here's Lucy ran for 6 seasons, most of that time in the top ten.

In this clip from the series, Lucy meets Charles Nelson Reilly at the customer service desk of a department store. Notice that what was considered slightly absurd in 1971 is now commonplace. Hear the lady laughing over the rest of the audience? That was Lucy's mom and the guy you hear laughing the loudest was Lucy's husband Gary Morton.

What was it like behind the scenes? Let's hear from the participants themselves. No question, Gale Gordon was a big factor in the success of the Lucy shows. From the Merv Griffin Show, here's the cast of Here's Lucy, Gary Morton and Bob Hope with Gale Gordon talking about his life in show biz. What was Gale's nickname on the set? They bleeped it!

Around this same time, Lucy talked with Dick Cavett about teaching comedy acting and the intricacies of shooting a three camera show.

The 'first lady of comedy' had a feisty and funny exchange with Dinah Shore in 1977 after her run on CBS was over, she spoke about meeting various first ladies. This gives you some idea of what Lucille Ball was like off-camera.

When Lucille Ball died April 26, 1989 the world mourned and television lost her queen.

Here's Lucy
Lucille Ball Behind the Scenes

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