"Here's Lucy" Coming To DVD in 2010!

[Benno123]

As posted on the welovelucy.com message board ... my special thanks to "Shemp" for posting this on the board. I haven't heard any confirmations, but this may be good news for Lucy fans .....

Posted by Shemp on October 26, 2008 at 08:49:19:

At the Friends of Old-Time Radio Convention in NJ this weekend, during a Saturday Q&A with Luci Arnaz, Larry Luckinbill and the other guests...

Luci said that HERE'S LUCY will be distributed by MPI Video in 2010/2011. Season sets; the entire series.

At the same Q&A, Gregg Oppenheimer confirmed that THE LUCY SHOW Season 1 is set for a CBS/Paramount release in 2009.

Finally, Luci knows of no plans for Desi's (Exec. Prod.) THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW (1967 - 1969).

[Jude The Obscure]

I sure hope this will be true. I heard that the reason for HL being delayed was that Lucie and Desi did not like dealing with Paul Brownstein, who had leased the show for syndication and had to wait for the contract to expire before they could proceed with further DVD releases.

[Benno123]

Really? I have not heard that, but it is possible. I just hope that the shows have the same picture quality as the Brownstein release, though some of the music does sound remixed (which didn't thrill me too much) but regardless, this is great news about the possible release!

[Jude The Obscure]

Since Lucie and Desi Jr own the masters, Shout! only had access to what they provided, so the same will hold true for MPI.

FWIW, I heard the dislike of Browenstein (or however he spells his name) over at Home Theater Forum.

[storrs19]

This is great news. I hope it comes to fruition as I have always liked this show best of all of Lucy's shows. MPI has done a great job with the shows I have purchased from them so I am looking forward to this very much.

[sigmapi30]

I agree too!!! GREAT NEWS!! I just hope this isn't just rumor or wishful thinking. Also, I HOPE they remember Life With Lucy!!!

[Benno123]

Since Lucie and Desi Jr own the masters, Shout! only had access to what they provided, so the same will hold true for MPI.

FWIW, I heard the dislike of Browenstein (or however he spells his name) over at Home Theater Forum.


Thanks Jude for the heads up on this. Several people have said I should read the boards there, as well, but I never do. Maybe I'll start!!!!

[Robert 13]

I agree too!!! GREAT NEWS!! I just hope this isn't just rumor or wishful thinking. Also, I HOPE they remember Life With Lucy!!!
Yes!!! I hope so too. I would love to have "Life with Lucy" in a nice re-mastered dvd set. If "Here's Lucy" goes well, chances are MPI will release this too. I'll definitely be buying them. :)

I'm excited for "The Lucy Show" next year. I hope Season 1 is released in one set.

[TeeVeeCloset]

Looks like MPI is getting ready for their Here's Lucy releases by starting with the fantasitic "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie".....announced for February 2009 with loads of extras including bloopers, rare desi & lucy TV appearances and much more. This special has previously only been available on VHS, it is a heartwarming and touching documentary which features home movies, the most touching is scenes of lucy & desi in a swimming pool together with their grandchild. it shows the love that had for eachother never faded...I highly recommend this as a must purchase!

[Benno123]

Looks like MPI is getting ready for their Here's Lucy releases by starting with the fantasitic "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie".....announced for February 2009 with loads of extras including bloopers, rare desi & lucy TV appearances and much more. This special has previously only been available on VHS, it is a heartwarming and touching documentary which features home movies, the most touching is scenes of lucy & desi in a swimming pool together with their grandchild. it shows the love that had for eachother never faded...I highly recommend this as a must purchase!


This is EXCELLENT news! Ever since I left the library field and no longer see all the listings of new books/DVDs and so on, I am so out of the loop! But I thank goodness for forums like this! Mind if I ask where you found this information?

[Benno123]

Nevermind ... found a listing for it! I am so excited, just wish we knew what the bonus material was! And in time for Valentine's Day, too! (I'm thinking this aired on Valentine's Day originally in 1993? I remember it was a Sunday!)

http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1436281&site_id=4&site_media_id=0

[comedyfreak]

Oh good finally great news!!

[dawsongirl]

Cool...hope it comes to pass. The best of series was nice, but I'd like to have all episodes.

[TeeVeeCloset]

Looks like MPI is getting ready for their Here's Lucy releases by starting with the fantasitic "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie".....announced for February 2009 with loads of extras including bloopers, rare desi & lucy TV appearances and much more. This special has previously only been available on VHS, it is a heartwarming and touching documentary which features home movies, the most touching is scenes of lucy & desi in a swimming pool together with their grandchild. it shows the love that had for eachother never faded...I highly recommend this as a must purchase!

Everyone will be thrilled to hear as one of the many bonus features on the above dvd, I personally saw a "Here's Lucy" seasons 1 through 6 promo on the DVD for release by MPI, it does not list a start date....the big news it also states "The Lucille Ball Specials" will be released as well!
__________________

[dakert]

TeeVee that is great news :)

[Jude The Obscure]

That is AWESOME news, TeeVee!!

What's funny or ironic is that HL will prolly be finished on DVD before CBS even makes any headway on The Lucy Show! MPI always delivers!!

[TeeVeeCloset]

That is AWESOME news, TeeVee!!

What's funny or ironic is that HL will prolly be finished on DVD before CBS even makes any headway on The Lucy Show! MPI always delivers!!

Yes very true, glad everyone was as excited about this news as I was, especially the specials which I thought would never be released.....again no date is given, but I guess MPI would rather have the info out.....the last "rumor" I heard was 2010 for the start of "Here's Lucy" because that is when the Paul Brownstein distribution contract ends for both HL & the specials. Here's hoping something was worked out earlier. I contacted TVShowsonDVD about my discovery on the new MPI "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie" DVD, BTW street date is this tuesday, Feb 10, 2009, and they were looking into it.

[Jude The Obscure]

If the Lucy & Desi DVD comes out, I sure will be getting it!

I wonder what went sour between Brownstein and the kids......

[TeeVeeCloset]

If the Lucy & Desi DVD comes out, I sure will be getting it!

I wonder what went sour between Brownstein and the kids......

I'm sorry hope I didn't confuse you...BUT...the incredible 1994 documentary "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie" is coming out from MPI this Tuesday, February 10, 2009......I have it already and one of the bonus features is a MPI made "Here's Lucy" promo stating that seasons 1 - 6 will be available from MPI as well as the 1970's "Lucille Ball Specials"

[catlover79]

I've never seen this show, but am looking forward to checking out the DVD!

[Jude The Obscure]

Thanks TeeVee......I didn't word my response properly :lol:

And Monika--YOU WILL LOVE HERE'S LUCY!!!!!!

[catlover79]

Thanks TeeVee......I didn't word my response properly :lol:

And Monika--YOU WILL LOVE HERE'S LUCY!!!!!!
I'm sure I will. It left the air 5 years before I was born, and I never saw the reruns. They never aired here. So I will be happy to check it out - as well as The Lucy Show!! :cool:

[dawsongirl]

I'm sure I will. It left the air 5 years before I was born, and I never saw the reruns. They never aired here. So I will be happy to check it out - as well as The Lucy Show!! :cool:
I like it better than The Lucy Show by far. IMO, Lucy was more natural at times, just being a goofy mom. Not that her and Harry didn't get into any wacky situations... lol

I also like the relationship between Lucy and the kids. Just clicked well, which I suppose was because they were family already, but they still could have looked like they had no rapport.

I think Gale was top-notch here.

I used to be very biased against the last three seasons, because it just lost a lot when Desi Jr. left, but I watched a few of the later ones on youtube, and they're not bad. There's one from the 6th season that's really funny. Lucy is N.G. and an R.N. It's cliche in that Lucy is suddenly stuck taking care of three "sick" people (and a pregnant cat), but there's this exchange between Mary Jane, Harry, and Lucy that's just ILL funny. One of the last eps ever made, but good stuff.

I wish most of the episodes hadn't been taken off youtube (the poster pulled them), because then I could show you some of my favs. I think other posters have put a couple up tho, so check it out sometime. :)

And maybe you could rent the Best Of set that's already been released.

[Jude The Obscure]

Lucy,IMO, was best in any of her sitcoms tackling family/domestic issues. the shows became bogged down with it began to rely on the BIG NAME GUEST STAR OF THE WEEKformat. this plagued TLS especially during its last three seasons.

[dawsongirl]

I agree, Jude.

[Jude The Obscure]

Unfortunately that format only serve to drive the ratings higher because of Lucy's ability to get people who normally never did TV, to do her show. In reruns, you can see how the quality of the writing went down as a result. There are some guest star episodes I do like, but for the most part, they just end up being boring.

[Jude The Obscure]

I just ordered Lucy & Desi A Home movie last night and already received my shipping notice! Can't wait!!

[sigmapi30]

WOW!! I am really excited, I emailed MPI and this is the response I recv'd:

Sent: Sun 2/15/2009 9:46 PM
To: Webmaster
Subject: Contact Us Email

Hello. I have been reading that MPI will be releasing Here's Lucy on DVD come 2010. Are you able to confirm this? If it is in fact true, I am VERY happy. I have purchased all of the Dark Shadows releases by MPI and you guys do a great job!!

From: Julie <julie@mpimedia.com>
Sent: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:12 am
Subject: RE: Contact Us Email

Yes but we don’t have any release dates yet. Please check www.mpihomevideo.com for all new release information. Thank you

[sigmapi30]

Even more official and sooner than 2010!!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Heres-Lucy-DVDs-Planned/11327

[TeeVeeCloset]

Even more official and sooner than 2010!!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Heres-Lucy-DVDs-Planned/11327

And I happy and proud to admit my true identity has been revealed in the news item at www.tvshowsondvd.com regarding "Here's Lucy"........yes the name mentioned as being the first to break the news is your poster here teeveecloset.

I do want to give credit to the member that started this thread when he first officially did get the news from lucie Arnaz herself back in November 2008.....funny at the time in the first post in this thread Lucie said she didn't know about the status of "The Mothers-in-law" and
now we get word officially on the same day from MPI that both series are being released!

[Jude The Obscure]

GREAT NEWS ALL AROUND!!!!!!!!

Now this thread subject can be changed to "2009"!!! :lol:

[sigmapi30]

LOL thats pretty cool that you are credited on the net teeveecloset!!

[storrs19]

About freakin' time! My favorite Lucille Ball series is finally getting it's just dues. I hope that "Lucy Calls The President" will be one of the specials they release in the future as well.

[Lee G]

MPI is a great studio. I'm not really a Lucy fan but I love the superb job MPI did with Family Affair. I wish MPI had been the DVD issuing studio for The Bill Cosby Show, they would not abandon the series like Shout Factory has done. Comparing MPI and Shout Factory, I think MPI is by far the superior company.

[Jude The Obscure]

I concur that MPI is great!!

[Benno123]

And I happy and proud to admit my true identity has been revealed in the news item at www.tvshowsondvd.com regarding "Here's Lucy"........yes the name mentioned as being the first to break the news is your poster here teeveecloset.

I do want to give credit to the member that started this thread when he first officially did get the news from lucie Arnaz herself back in November 2008.....funny at the time in the first post in this thread Lucie said she didn't know about the status of "The Mothers-in-law" and
now we get word officially on the same day from MPI that both series are being released!

I found the posting on the We Love Lucy forum from "Shemp" and posted what he said there, so I give Shemp credit for getting the word out. Shemp, where ever you may be, you were the first and original stooge, and now you're the first and original person to get the word out. A big "Eeeb beeb beeb beeb" to ya!

News of the Mothers In Law I was not surprised, since the Arnaz children also own that series and with the new deal they have with MPI I wasn't surprised to see that listed. I was, however, shocked that the series was coming out so quickly!

This is great news all around for Lucy fans and fans of comedy, TV on DVD, and so on. I'm hoping that an official release of Lucy's 1964 "Lucille Ball Comedy Hour" with Bob Hope comes out, as well as "Lucy in London" and a lot of things. The only special I can see problems with would be her Nashville special, and that would be because of music rights. Then again, MPI being MPI may just get the rights after all. This news made my day!

[sigmapi30]

Ya know, I dont know about other MPI releases but for Dark Shadows they released a new "season" (40 episodes) every other month. Wouldn't it be great to have all of the Here's Lucy season sets in under a year!!!

[Benno123]

I don't know if the release will be as quick as every other month, but with this agreement with the Arnaz children, and looking at the speed that things are already being released (the specials starting in June, Here's Lucy later in the summer) I bet that by this time next year we have atleast the first three seasons already out, if not more!

I told my wife the other night I'm more excited about this than any other release as I have only seen the episodes included on the Shout! release, as well as a couple others. Out of the 144 shows, I have probably only seen maybe 35 shows, no more than 40, so I have a lot of Lucy to get to see for the first time!

On a side note, as someone stated about MPI, the overall treatment and care of their releases is something that I have always thought was good. The only show that I wish they would redo as release are the lost episodes of The Honeymooners, but MPI has been saying for years that the shows were going to get a complete re-release at some point. I hope that this is true, but I feel that we are going to get a very high quality release with this. The one downside I see to this is that, unless I'm mistaken, is that I have not seen many MPI releases in stores like Best Buy and Walmart. I'm not saying that they're not there, but I mean releases like MPI's "The Color Honeymooners" or when they released "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "The Doris Day Show." I could be mistaken, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I hope that Here's Lucy will be easily available in stores outside of the Barnes and Noble and Borders type stores, and not something that is just available online.

[dawsongirl]

And I happy and proud to admit my true identity has been revealed in the news item at www.tvshowsondvd.com regarding "Here's Lucy"........yes the name mentioned as being the first to break the news is your poster here teeveecloset.

I do want to give credit to the member that started this thread when he first officially did get the news from lucie Arnaz herself back in November 2008.....funny at the time in the first post in this thread Lucie said she didn't know about the status of "The Mothers-in-law" and
now we get word officially on the same day from MPI that both series are being released!
MIL is getting a release too? Cool.

[LittleRickyII]

I don't know if the release will be as quick as every other month, but with this agreement with the Arnaz children, and looking at the speed that things are already being released (the specials starting in June, Here's Lucy later in the summer) I bet that by this time next year we have at least the first three seasons already out, if not more!

Don't count on that. It took about three years before MPI released all five seasons of "The Doris Day Show"

The one downside I see to this is that, unless I'm mistaken, is that I have not seen many MPI releases in stores like Best Buy and Walmart.

I remember seeing "The Doris Day Show" in Best Buy.

[LittleRickyII]

Ya know, I dont know about other MPI releases but for Dark Shadows they released a new "season" (40 episodes) every other month. Wouldn't it be great to have all of the Here's Lucy season sets in under a year!!!

I greatly doubt that will happen. It took three years before all five seasons of "The Doris Day Show" were released.

[LittleRickyII]

I like it better than The Lucy Show by far. IMO, Lucy was more natural at times, just being a goofy mom. Not that her and Harry didn't get into any wacky situations... lol

I also like the relationship between Lucy and the kids. Just clicked well, which I suppose was because they were family already, but they still could have looked like they had no rapport.

I think Gale was top-notch here.

I agree for the most part. "Here's Lucy" was much, much better than the final three seasons of "The Lucy Show" mainly for the reasons you state: the relationship with her kids, and the fact that Lucy seemed more natural. When they wrote off her children from "The Lucy Show" Lucy had no one to have a relationship with. The Lucy Carmichael character suddenly seemed empty and without a purpose. Having kids back on the show (on "Here's Lucy") made her character seem more well-rounded and real. Also, I think when they first began that new "Lucy Show" format in 1965, there was a lot of stumbling around for the next year trying to figure out what the show was going to be about. The writers seemed totally lost, and this comes across in those early scripts. The first three seasons of "The Lucy Show" (with Vivian Vance), however, is a totally different story. It was better than "Here's Lucy" and way, way better than the second "Lucy Show" format. Many of those early episodes of "The Lucy Show" are on par with "I Love Lucy" (thanks to having Vivian Vance and most of the "I Love Lucy" writers still on hand). But again, "Here's Lucy" was definitely a step up from the second format of "The Lucy Show"

I used to be very biased against the last three seasons, because it just lost a lot when Desi Jr. left, but I watched a few of the later ones on youtube, and they're not bad. There's one from the 6th season that's really funny. Lucy is N.G. and an R.N.

Here's the thing. When Desi Jr. left the show, the scripts tended to be less domestic-focused, and that family dynamic seemed to be missing. For that reason, it seemed to hurt the show somewhat. But the saving grace during the last three seasons was the return of "I Love Lucy" writers, Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Davis, who wrote that script you mention. They had a special ability to write well-structured, believable and logical scripts. They wrote one-third of the scripts during each of the final three seasons of "Here's Lucy" Another one-third of those scripts were written by Bob O'Brien, who usually pulled off good scripts as well. But the remaining one-third of the scripts during the final three seasons were written by a variety of other writers, who tended not to understand very well how to write for Lucille Ball. Usually what these other writers turned in were either dull, illogical, or both. When you watch these shows, check out the writing credits at the beginning. If you see the names of Bob and Madelyn, or Bob O'Brien, you're probably going to be in for an enjoyable half hour. If you see someone else's name, there's a good chance you're not going to have such a great time. (She should have fired some of these other writers, but for some reason let some of them keep writing for her.)

That being said, when you get the first season DVD, please take this advice: For your own sake, do not . . . I repeat, DO NOT watch the episode with Tennessee Ernie Ford (written by Milt Josefburg and Ray Singer). I haven't seen this episode since it was on Pax in 1998 and refuse to ever watch it again. I can't believe Lucille Ball approved that script. It was probably the lowest point of her television career. You might also want to skip the Howard Keel and Carol Burnett episodes as well (surprisingly both written by Bob O'Brien; his writing seemed to improve later on), but enjoy the rest of the DVD.

[sigmapi30]

what was wrong with the Tennessee Ernie Ford episode? i've never seen it.

[Benno123]

While I really can't comment on episodes of Here's Lucy since I have not seen all the shows, the episodes of The Lucy Show written by Bob O'Brien have been, well .... not all that great in my opinion. I'm not saying that they were horrible shows, I just really did not care for the majority of the shows that I have seen for The Lucy Show that he wrote. I hope I can change my opinion with Here's Lucy.

[catlover79]

Not really on topic, but does anyone think Life With Lucy will ever see the light of day on DVD? I never saw it, but my mom did and she said it was brutal! :eek:

[sigmapi30]

it wasnt brutal..i have a copy of the shows...yeah rehashed storylines but it was cute. if ya love lucy, ya gotta love Life With Lucy...i hope the powers that be dont disregard it...

[LittleRickyII]

what was wrong with the Tennessee Ernie Ford episode? i've never seen it.

Everything: a script with no credibility or logic; an annoying hillbilly theme; a long sequence of pointless yelling by the whole cast (which will make you want to mute your TV); and some annoying Hee Haw-style singing and dancing.

[LittleRickyII]

While I really can't comment on episodes of Here's Lucy since I have not seen all the shows, the episodes of The Lucy Show written by Bob O'Brien have been, well .... not all that great in my opinion. I'm not saying that they were horrible shows, I just really did not care for the majority of the shows that I have seen for The Lucy Show that he wrote. I hope I can change my opinion with Here's Lucy.

I agree with you about many of Bob O'Brien's "Lucy Show" scripts, that they were uninspired. But there were some exceptions ("Lucy Meets the Berles"; "Lucy and John Wayne"; "Lucy Goes to London"; "Lucy Gets a Roommate"; "Lucy Dates Dean Martin"; "Lucy Gets Her Maid"; "Lucy, the Meter Maid" and "Lucy and the Plumber"). And the same can be said about his early "Here's Lucy" scripts; they were often not up to par. But I think in the later seasons of Here's Lucy, he came around to being pretty consistently a good writer for Lucy and served her well.

[Benno123]

With Bob O'Brien and what I saw on The Lucy Show, it seemed like for every 1 great episode it was followed by 2 or 3 weaker ones written by him. I think he wrote that "Main Street USA" episode which I can't stand, but not everything one creates can be considered great. Afterall, look at how great of writers Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis were for Lucy, and yet they wrote "Lucy Goes To Scotland!" I don't hold that against them, so I'm hoping that by getting to see Here's Lucy I can see more creative shows written by O'Brien (which I am sure I will).

[LittleRickyII]

With Bob O'Brien and what I saw on The Lucy Show, it seemed like for every 1 great episode it was followed by 2 or 3 weaker ones written by him. I think he wrote that "Main Street USA" episode which I can't stand, but not everything one creates can be considered great. Afterall, look at how great of writers Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis were for Lucy, and yet they wrote "Lucy Goes To Scotland!" I don't hold that against them, so I'm hoping that by getting to see Here's Lucy I can see more creative shows written by O'Brien (which I am sure I will).

I agree with your dislike of that "Main Street" episode; I hate it, too. But I've never understood why people have such strong feelings about the Scotland episode of ILL. A hatred of the "Drafted" episode I can certainly understand, but the Scotland episode has some funny moments, good tunes, and is pretty creative, and a nice diversion from the standard "Lucy" formula.

And yes, you raise a good point about Bob O'Brien having a mixed bag of good and bad. Even later on in "Here's Lucy" he had some turkeys (like the one with Andy Griffith), but I still think he delivered more good than bad.

[Benno123]

"Drafted" I totally understand, the only saving grace of that show is that the "Jingle Bells" tag aired during that episode originally in 1951. "Scotland" to me just seems like a take off of the Operetta episode. I have not seen this episode in its colorized state, but people who disliked the episode said they seem to have a new appreciatation for the show seeing it in color. Perhaps when/if I have that chance then my opinion will change. But I don't think either "Drafted" or "Scotland" are the nadir episodes of a Lucy series. I really don't think this is one, but if forced I would have to say the "Main Street USA" episode.

[dawsongirl]

Not really on topic, but does anyone think Life With Lucy will ever see the light of day on DVD? I never saw it, but my mom did and she said it was brutal! :eek:
You know what was most brutal about it? The audience. I popped in my Forever, Darling DVD (one I made) last night and was watching in bed. Right after iton the DVD, I put on an episode of LWL and since I'm lazy, I let the disc run for awhile before I shut it off and went to sleep. Gale comes down the stairs into the kitchen: Audience goes wild. Lucy comes down the stairs: Audience is louder than a jet engine. Larry and Ann come down the stairs: Audience cheers. Seriously, any time anyone made an initial entrance, the audience went nuts! Realllllly distracting. I get that they were glad to see Lucy; but Ann and Larry?

[catlover79]

You know what was most brutal about it? The audience. I popped in my Forever, Darling DVD (one I made) last night and was watching in bed. Right after it, I put an episode of LWL and since I'm lazy, I let it run for awhile before I shut it off and went to sleep. Gale comes down the stairs into the kitchen: Audience goes wild. Lucy comes down the stairs: Audience is louder than a jet engine. Larry and Ann come down the stairs: Audience cheers. Seriously, any time anyone made an initial entrance, the audience went nuts! Realllllly distracting. I get that they were glad to see Lucy; but Ann and Larry?
Oh man!! :eek:

[LittleRickyII]

You know what was most brutal about it? The audience. I popped in my Forever, Darling DVD (one I made) last night and was watching in bed. Right after iton the DVD, I put on an episode of LWL and since I'm lazy, I let the disc run for awhile before I shut it off and went to sleep. Gale comes down the stairs into the kitchen: Audience goes wild. Lucy comes down the stairs: Audience is louder than a jet engine. Larry and Ann come down the stairs: Audience cheers. Seriously, any time anyone made an initial entrance, the audience went nuts! Realllllly distracting. I get that they were glad to see Lucy; but Ann and Larry?

Well, it was also 1986, and by that point viewers had been exposed to more than ten years of over-reacting "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" studio audiences. I know this sounds like ageism, but let's face it, Lucy and Gale Gordon were too old to be trying to pull off physical comedy stunts. Other than the cute kid who played the grandson, they had a pretty weak supporting cast. And the scripts were mediocre. Compound that with the fact that they scheduled the show on Saturday nights, a night that tends to have low viewership. And also, all three of Lucy's previous sitcoms were in heavy rotation at that time; thus, Lucy was actually competing against her own younger self by this point. (TBS was the biggest cable channel back then and had "The Lucy Show" on every day; "Here's Lucy" had been syndicated fairly widely for several years beginning in 1981; and "I Love Lucy" was everywhere.) If they had come up with a unique concept that would have given viewers a real reason to stay in on Saturday night, it might have worked. But instead, it was a retread/lesser version of what viewers were already able to see any day of the week.

[TeeVeeCloset]

"Drafted" I totally understand, the only saving grace of that show is that the "Jingle Bells" tag aired during that episode originally in 1951. "Scotland" to me just seems like a take off of the Operetta episode. I have not seen this episode in its colorized state, but people who disliked the episode said they seem to have a new appreciatation for the show seeing it in color. Perhaps when/if I have that chance then my opinion will change. But I don't think either "Drafted" or "Scotland" are the nadir episodes of a Lucy series. I really don't think this is one, but if forced I would have to say the "Main Street USA" episode.

"Hey what do you say, are you wishin' what I'm wishin', what do you say we get together and start a big petition".....I haven't seen that episode in at least 20 years.....I had no idea people didn't like it....as a child I loved that episode and the songs still sticks in my head...I think I got the lyrics right from memory....It was a broadway type musical Lucy Show ep (don't forget Jackie Gleason was singing up a storm with musical "Honeymooners" episodes during the same period) I liked "Main street" due to it being a two parter and the simple little town they were trying to save! As for my least favorite ILL eps, I agree with you guys...Drafted is just a silly early premise, but really season 1 of ILL is my least favorite.....I dislike "The Operetta", "Ricky's School Play" & yes "Scotland", even though in color it is amazing to see but everytime I watch it I say to myself, "I wish they perfectly and beautifully colorized an episode I like or a classic one!" BTW speaking of the bonus disc, I managed to get a borrowed copy after talking a young friend who discovered lucy into buying the boxset, just so I could get a copy of the bonus disc....the movie is amazing to see, such a curiosity and seeing anything new is always such a treat...they really need to release that bonus disc separately.........instead CBS/Paramount announces yesterday 2/23/09 two silly comedy and action compliation DVD's containing one episode each of several differnt series....like someone is actually going to watch repeated viewings of the same one Brady Bunch episode.....what a stupid idea.....just like mini-sodes....I've ranted enough!

[LittleRickyII]

"Hey what do you say, are you wishin' what I'm wishin', what do you say we get together and start a big petition".....I haven't seen that episode in at least 20 years.....I had no idea people didn't like it....as a child I loved that episode and the songs still sticks in my head...I think I got the lyrics right from memory....It was a broadway type musical Lucy Show ep (don't forget Jackie Gleason was singing up a storm with musical "Honeymooners" episodes during the same period) I liked "Main street" due to it being a two parter and the simple little town they were trying to save! As for my least favorite ILL eps, I agree with you guys...Drafted is just a silly early premise, but really season 1 of ILL is my least favorite.....I dislike "The Operetta", "Ricky's School Play" & yes "Scotland", even though in color it is amazing to see but everytime I watch it I say to myself, "I wish they perfectly and beautifully colorized an episode I like or a classic one!"

I agree with you about the song. It was a great song and it sticks in my head as well. But beyond the song, it was a pretty boring episode, and the script was a bit absurd. And remember, they made a two-part episode out of this. There was hardly enough of a story for a single episode, much less two. But yes, the music was great. It's interesting you mention the musical Honeymooners. It's long been my suspicion that Lucy thought, Hey, Gleason has turned his sitcom into a musical, so why can't I? But frankly, those musical Honeymooners do not hold up as well as the original. When's the last time you saw the musical Honeymooners broadcast on TV? As for your least favorites, I'm surprised you like "Main Street" but don't like "The Operetta"! "The Operetta" is absolutely one of my favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes. And did you know it was Lucille Ball's favorite?

Oh, and before this conversation gets too out of hand, maybe we should try to redirect it back to "Here's Lucy"? I start out warning people not to watch the Tennessee Ernie Ford episode of "Here's Lucy" and somehow the conversation gets diverted and, instead of talking about "Here's Lucy" at all, we're talking about "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" :) So anyway, I'm very excited that the whole "Here's Lucy" series is coming out on DVD! :)

[TeeVeeCloset]

I agree with you about the song. It was a great song and it sticks in my head as well. But beyond the song, it was a pretty boring episode, and the script was a bit absurd. And remember, they made a two-part episode out of this. There was hardly enough of a story for a single episode, much less two. But yes, the music was great. It's interesting you mention the musical Honeymooners. It's long been my suspicion that Lucy thought, Hey, Gleason has turned his sitcom into a musical, so why can't I? But frankly, those musical Honeymooners do not hold up as well as the original. When's the last time you saw the musical Honeymooners broadcast on TV? As for your least favorites, I'm surprised you like "Main Street" but don't like "The Operetta"! "The Operetta" is absolutely one of my favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes. And did you know it was Lucille Ball's favorite?

Actually "The Color Honeymooners" as the musical ones are now referred to have been running on cable's "American Life TV" for nearly 5 years on a weekly basis.....and of course they are all available on 4 volumes from MPI....but I agree they do not hold up and are barely watchable, I have them all for historical reasons............no I never enjoyed musical episodes of "Lucy" except for "main street", yes it was a stretched two parter, thats' why I guess I had the song still stuck in my mind because I remember it being sung over and over again in the episode.....very broadway as well as don't forget Lucy was doing Mame, etc by 1974........I think she loved big production and yes there could be something to the Gleason connection.....don't forget her special with Jackie will be out June 30 on MPI with the Dean Martin one as well!

As for getting "off topic" I totally agree with you but that is one of the downsides of life here at "Sitcoms".....but it keeps the thread alive as we prepare for "Here's Lucy" from MPI this summer....and don't forget I notified www.tvshowsondvd.com when I got an advancer of "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie" which confirmed the rumored releases of "Here's Lucy" which made "shows" contact MPI to confirm. hope all that makes sense.......

[LittleRickyII]

Actually "The Color Honeymooners" as the musical ones are now referred to have been running on cable's "American Life TV" for nearly 5 years on a weekly basis.....and of course they are all available on 4 volumes from MPI....but I agree they do not hold up and are barely watchable, I have them all for historical reasons

Same here. I bought the first "Color Honeymooners" volume a few years ago and never finished watching them. I knew that it had been on American Life, but wasn't aware it still is. But I suspect that the majority of cable TV providers don't carry that network, so for most people, it's as if it isn't on.

............no I never enjoyed musical episodes of "Lucy" except for "main street", yes it was a stretched two parter, thats' why I guess I had the song still stuck in my mind because I remember it being sung over and over again in the episode.....very broadway as well as don't forget Lucy was doing Mame, etc by 1974........I think she loved big production and yes there could be something to the Gleason connection.....don't forget her special with Jackie will be out June 30 on MPI with the Dean Martin one as well!

I've never seen Lucy's special with Gleason. I remember when it first aired and the advertisements that were on that week promoting it. But it was on after my bedtime, so I didn't get to watch. Now, after all these years, I can. :)

As for getting "off topic" I totally agree with you but that is one of the downsides of life here at "Sitcoms".....but it keeps the thread alive as we prepare for "Here's Lucy" from MPI this summer

I'm not blaming you or anybody else. I'm just as responsible as anybody. It's a natural progression of a conversation. I'm just saying . . . :)

....and don't forget I notified www.tvshowsondvd.com when I got an advancer of "Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie" which confirmed the rumored releases of "Here's Lucy" which made "shows" contact MPI to confirm. hope all that makes sense.......

And thank you for doing that!

[Benno123]

If you want to talk about bad songs on TV shows, the Honeymooners from the 1969-1970 season with Joey Heatherton and that song "Beautiful Love" or whatever it was has to be, without a doubt, the worse song ever produced on television. "We're talking about love, love, love, beautiful love." Yuck, that was torture to sit through, the saving grace being that Jackie or Art did not perform that song!

I've decided to watch "Lucy Goes to Scotland" again here soon when I have a chance just because my friend TeeVeeCloset said he always enjoyed it. I've decided to clear my mind of past thoughts of the episode and watch it. I will admit it is one of the very few on the DVD's that I have not watched, so I'll watch it when I have a chance. (In black and white as I don't have the complete box set with the bonus material).

Again, I can't say it enough that all aspects of Here's Lucy I'm looking forward to. As this being the only Lucille Ball series I have not seen many episodes of, I am looking forward to discovering new shows in what is for me the "lost Lucy episodes!"

And speaking of the release of Lucy's specials on DVD, I believe the "Lucy Gets Lucky" special that will be released in June along with the Gleason special was written by Bob O'Brien. I don't have any information here in the room with me, but going by memory I believe he wrote that episode. The special I'm looking forward to getting released is "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye."

[sigmapi30]

I just keep checking every day for the box art. wonder when we will get to see!!! I am almost nuts over this!! LOL

[LittleRickyII]

If you want to talk about bad songs on TV shows, the Honeymooners from the 1969-1970 season with Joey Heatherton and that song "Beautiful Love" or whatever it was has to be, without a doubt, the worse song ever produced on television. "We're talking about love, love, love, beautiful love." Yuck, that was torture to sit through, the saving grace being that Jackie or Art did not perform that song!

I'll have to take your word on that. :) As I only bought the first set several years ago, and couldn't even get through that, I'm not inclined to buy the rest. So I'll probably never hear this awful song. :) I do have all the CBS episodes from the '50s, including the so-called lost episodes. And I'm perfectly content with those.

I've decided to watch "Lucy Goes to Scotland" again here soon when I have a chance just because my friend TeeVeeCloset said he always enjoyed it.

One of these days, one of your "Scotland" haters is going to have to explain to my why you hate that episode because I just can't see what's so bad about it. No, it's not one of the funniest and not one I'm ever overly anxious to see, but I still find it sufficiently entertaining, especially Fred and Ethel as the two-headed dragon.

Again, I can't say it enough that all aspects of Here's Lucy I'm looking forward to. As this being the only Lucille Ball series I have not seen many episodes of, I am looking forward to discovering new shows in what is for me the "lost Lucy episodes!"

That's exactly how I felt when PAX ran the series back in '98/'99. I hadn't seen most of those episodes since the early to mid '80s, so it seemed fresh to me. Also, at that point I had not been watching I Love Lucy regularly for several years, so I wasn't watching the show (as I had in the past) with I Love Lucy expectations, and was able to just accept it for what it was. If you watch this series with Love Lucy eradicated from your head, you'll probably realize that Here's Lucy is just as good, or better than, most sitcoms. Or you'll discover an occasional episode that's truly a gem. You'll also find it an improvement over the last couple seasons of The Lucy Show.


And speaking of the release of Lucy's specials on DVD, I believe the "Lucy Gets Lucky" special that will be released in June along with the Gleason special was written by Bob O'Brien. I don't have any information here in the room with me, but going by memory I believe he wrote that episode. The special I'm looking forward to getting released is "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye."

Yes, Bob O'Brien wrote Lucy Gets Lucky. I have a bad copy of that one on video. It's okay. It was filmed without a studio audience, something that usually didn't work well for Lucille Ball (she needed her audience). They somehow managed to make the lack of a studio audience work with Lucy in London, but it didn't really work here. There are some laughs here and there, but Lucy needed the energy she got from her audience.

As for Happy Anniversary and Goodbye, I'm with you there. I have seen that one (also on bad video), and it's wonderful. I think it's her best, or at least second-best, special.

[LittleRickyII]

I just keep checking every day for the box art. wonder when we will get to see!!! I am almost nuts over this!! LOL

Hey, could you let us know when you do see the box art? I'm anxious to see it as well. I'm getting so excited here. :)

[Jude The Obscure]

Letting TeeVeeCloset know--I got the Lucy & Desi Home Movie DVD and really enjoyed it--including the bonus features!!

As for off topic parts, i really don't understand why people hate "Drafted".

[dawsongirl]

Well, it was also 1986, and by that point viewers had been exposed to more than ten years of over-reacting "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" studio audiences. I know this sounds like ageism, but let's face it, Lucy and Gale Gordon were too old to be trying to pull off physical comedy stunts. Other than the cute kid who played the grandson, they had a pretty weak supporting cast. And the scripts were mediocre. Compound that with the fact that they scheduled the show on Saturday nights, a night that tends to have low viewership. And also, all three of Lucy's previous sitcoms were in heavy rotation at that time; thus, Lucy was actually competing against her own younger self by this point. (TBS was the biggest cable channel back then and had "The Lucy Show" on every day; "Here's Lucy" had been syndicated fairly widely for several years beginning in 1981; and "I Love Lucy" was everywhere.) If they had come up with a unique concept that would have given viewers a real reason to stay in on Saturday night, it might have worked. But instead, it was a retread/lesser version of what viewers were already able to see any day of the week.
True.

Yeah, the supporting cast was a bunch of overacting, yelling, d-listers. Although Jenny Lewis is now a musician. She was on Letterman awhile back with Elvis Costello.

[dawsongirl]

As for off topic parts, i really don't understand why people hate "Drafted".
I know why I hate Drafted...the thought that anyone would draft Fred is just too ridiculous for any show...even science fiction!

[dawsongirl]

Letting TeeVeeCloset know--I got the Lucy & Desi Home Movie DVD and really enjoyed it--including the bonus features!!
Bonus features? Do tell.... :D

[Benno123]

One of these days, one of your "Scotland" haters is going to have to explain to my why you hate that episode because I just can't see what's so bad about it. No, it's not one of the funniest and not one I'm ever overly anxious to see, but I still find it sufficiently entertaining, especially Fred and Ethel as the two-headed dragon.

Actually I do know what it is with this episode that I just didn't care for. I am not big on the fantasy sequences on TV shows, why I don't know but it's just never appealed to me. Occassionally there is one that I do enjoy, but something about episodes with dreams and fairy tale-like settings do nothing for me. I grew up when The Cosby Show was one, and I consider that my generation's I Love Lucy, but the episode where Rudy has the dream that she's in that fairytale just does nothing for me. "Scotland" may be one of my least favorite episodes, yet it is still better than a lot of series' episodes.

[TeeVeeCloset]

I've decided to watch "Lucy Goes to Scotland" again here soon when I have a chance just because my friend TeeVeeCloset said he always enjoyed it. I've decided to clear my mind of past thoughts of the episode and watch it. I will admit it is one of the very few on the DVD's that I have not watched, so I'll watch it when I have a chance. (In black and white as I don't have the complete box set with the bonus material).

"

I don't know if you were being tongue in cheek sarcastic friendly with me my friend as well or got me confused with another poster, I said in my post I dislike "Scotland" as well as all other singing ILL episodes.....I like "Main Street" from TLS......I did say the colorized version is an amazing treat to see, the color is extremely vivid but it didn't make the episode any better..........

[Benno123]

I don't know if you were being tongue in cheek sarcastic friendly with me my friend as well or got me confused with another poster, I said in my post I dislike "Scotland" as well as all other singing ILL episodes.....I like "Main Street" from TLS......I did say the colorized version is an amazing treat to see, the color is extremely vivid but it didn't make the episode any better..........

Here I was trying to do something good and then I went back and realized I misread your post! My fault .... and now that I am aware of my mistake, then I won't go back and rewatch "Scotland" afterall!!! Hahaha! :)

[TeeVeeCloset]

Here I was trying to do something good and then I went back and realized I misread your post! My fault .... and now that I am aware of my mistake, then I won't go back and rewatch "Scotland" afterall!!! Hahaha! :)

You made me laugh.....try and get someone you know like I did to purchase the boxset and beg to borrow the bonus disc like I did...a public thanks to my own "Sandra Dee" friend, Jennifer!............if you are going to watch "scotland" ever again, it should be in the amazing color they created, yet it is so vivid, it looks candycoated.....but it really is cool to see.

[dawsongirl]

Someone put the color episode on youtube. Not sure if it's still there, but that's how I saw it. Love it.

[LittleRickyII]

I've gotten word from someone who would know that we should expect to see some good extras on the "Here's Lucy" DVDs. Lucille Ball was known to be a pack rat who saved EVERYTHING. If you've ever heard Lucie Arnaz talk about the huge task she had going through her mother's scrapbooks, you'll know what I'm talking about. In a way, it's too bad Ms. Ball was not in charge during the "I Love Lucy" days because those who were in charge apparently decided to toss out everything that did not make it into the final print of the show. Consequently, there was very little available for extras on the "I Love Lucy" DVD sets. But by the "Here's Lucy" years, Lucy was the one at the helm, and true to form, it seems she kept tons of stuff, if not everything. When the original "Here's Lucy" DVD came out a few years ago, I thought those fabulous extras represented all the stuff that was able to be scraped together. Not so. Apparently, there's a virtual treasure trove of unseen footage that's been packed away all these years. The question is how much MPI is willing to use for extras. There's obviously an economies of scale issue, so we can't expect everything to make it onto the DVDs, but let's hope there's still plenty.

[Jude The Obscure]

Bonus features? Do tell.... :D


sorry that I did not see your post earlier

An extended interview of Desi Jr and Lucie--Desi kinda dominates it IMO.

Two game show appearances by Desi Sr and Lucy--What's My Line? and I've Got a Secret.

Commercials done by Desi and Lucy.

the promos for the Here's Lucy Seasons 1-6 release.

[dawsongirl]

sorry that I did not see your post earlier

An extended interview of Desi Jr and Lucie--Desi kinda dominates it IMO.

Two game show appearances by Desi Sr and Lucy--What's My Line? and I've Got a Secret.

Commercials done by Desi and Lucy.

the promos for the Here's Lucy Seasons 1-6 release.
Neat...thanks. :)