I remember seeing a few eppis back a LONG time ago, and it seems like she was sorta a "Lucy type" character. Is that true? Was she always getting into trouble with her boss,,,,infact when I was really little I used to confuse her and Lucy. Susie and Lucy I guess:)

I have seen only a few episodes but I wouldn't say it's a Lucy-type show. It's more of a THAT GIR/MARY TYLER MOORE "career girl" type comedy with Ann a low-key comedienne like Mary or Elizabeth Montgomery rather than the lively comedy of Lucy, There may have been episodes where she had run ins with her boss but I don't think it was ever at a bombastic Lucy/Mr Mooney level in fact I got the impression Ann's character was rather sweet on her boss.

I have seen only a few episodes but I wouldn't say it's a Lucy-type show. It's more of a THAT GIR/MARY TYLER MOORE "career girl" type comedy with Ann a low-key comedienne like Mary or Elizabeth Montgomery rather than the lively comedy of Lucy, There may have been episodes where she had run ins with her boss but I don't think it was ever at a bombastic Lucy/Mr Mooney level in fact I got the impression Ann's character was rather sweet on her boss.

But was she ditzy kinda like Lucy? Its funny I think she and Lucy kinda look a like, I was surprised when I found the 2 shows actually did a crossover.

The crossover, such as it was, took place after both series ceased production. Ann Sothern appeared as Susie McNamara on the first Lucy-Desi special 'Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana' in November, 1957. Late in 1959 Lucy appeared as Lucy Ricardo on The Ann Sothen Show, but Ann was playing a different character (hotel asst. manager) in that show.

As to any similarity between Private Secretary and I Love Lucy...I would have to say no, there really isn't any. The two show's formats were quite different, as were their respective storylines as a result. There's probably slightly more resemblance to the later Lucy Show but only in the most superficial way: both shows featuring a secretary trying to get the better of her boss. However, there was always the hint of romantic undercurrent between Susie and Mr. Sands, and unthinkable proposition between Lucy and Mr. Mooney!

Changing the comparison to that between PS and TLS really only serves to draw a greater contrast between the Lucy and Susie characters. Lucy was wacky where Susie was the 50s version of sophisticated cool; Lucy's crazy plans went haywire while Susie's clever plans saved the day. Perhaps the most marked difference is the fact that Private Secretary rarely employed outright slapstick.

Thanks for all the answers, One reason I was curious about this was when Iwas little I BARELY remember Susie and thought she WAS Lucy and it was the same show, and the names sound similar.

I liked the show and it was my introduction to the awesome Ann Sothern. IMO, the humor on PS was most sophisticated and geared towards adults while ILL was more whole family fare.

But was she ditzy kinda like Lucy? Its funny I think she and Lucy kinda look a like, I was surprised when I found the 2 shows actually did a crossover.

The character of Susie MacNamara was probably closer than to the "Maisie" character Ann Sothern played in a series of 1940s movies and radio shows. She seemed dumb and ditzy, but she was clever in getting what she wanted, much more so than Lucy Ricardo ever did. Ditzy like a fox, actually.

To me, Ann Sothern looked much more like Vivian Vance than Lucille Ball. In fact, Ann Sothern--and Susie--were both rather hefty, and both always wore black (much more flattering to the figure)--AND you never saw Susie below the bustline in any of the TV episodes. She was always hidden by filing cabinets, typewriters, etc.

Pop pop have you ever actually watched an episode of the shows you're commenting on? I have to ask because I can't imagine anybody who ever saw Private Secretary making an absurd claim like this

You never saw Susie below the bustline in any of the TV episodes. She was always hidden by filing cabinets, typewriters, etc.

Is that paraphrased from the book Desilu by Coyne something-or-other? It isn't LITERALLY true by any stretch.
If I'm correct, isn't that also where you got Vivian Vance's 1912 birth date?

Thanks for all the answers, One reason I was curious about this was when Iwas little I BARELY remember Susie and thought she WAS Lucy and it was the same show, and the names sound similar.


Well, Susie did cross over to "The Lucy/Desi Comedy Hour" in her character.

Lucy Ricardo did crossover to "The Ann Southern Show" to visit Katie.