I think so...if she had taken that offer she got in California I think she would have been the big celebrity in the family. I guess that would have been a whole different show though, wouldn't it? :lol:
I think it's a shame she didn't have it in her to take that offer and a shame that Ricky, Ethel and Fred didn't make it easy for her to take it either.

I love how Lucy really does get her chance to be a star in the hour shows when she lands the job on The Paul Douglas Show. Then after having a taste of that, she realizes she doesn't want to be a star after all LOL.

Probably as a comedian...recalling the episodes 'Lucy gets in Pictures', 'Lucy's Italian Movie' and' Lucy writes a play' among others...all we got from her was an example that 'Lucy' couldn't do drama. LOL

I love how Lucy really does get her chance to be a star in the hour shows when she lands the job on The Paul Douglas Show. Then after having a taste of that, she realizes she doesn't want to be a star after all LOL.
Oh yeah, those are great. Those are some of my favorite Lucy episodes.
Probably as a comedian...recalling the episodes 'Lucy gets in Pictures', 'Lucy's Italian Movie' and' Lucy writes a play' among others...all we got from her was an example that 'Lucy' couldn't do drama. LOL
Or sing. :lol:

But she wouldn't have DONE drama or SING, she would have focused on her great COMEDY and at least HER you could understand so she would have been a comedic superstar and she would have been a huge HIT all over the US while Ricky still did his BONGO thing in New York's Tropicana night club.:lol:

I often thought Ricky was threatened by his wife's ambition.

I often thought Ricky was threatened by his wife's ambition.
And with his HEIGHT, he could have been another Mickey Rooney, LOL!

I often thought Ricky was threatened by his wife's ambition.
Exactly. That's what I think too.

Well, yeah, because she would have been the MUCH BIGGER STAR, just like in REAL life, LOL!:lol:

Everyone knows how much unknown women in their mid 40s who can't sing or dance are in such demand in show biz. They suddenly become stars. Just like....maybe an example will come to me later. :lol:

Everyone knows how much unknown women in their mid 40s who can't sing or dance are in such demand in show biz. They suddenly become stars. Just like....maybe an example will come to me later. :lol:


thing is, we saw Lucy Ricardo actually be good at certain things, be congratulated, and then quickly Ricky forgets that she was good at certain things and insists she has no talent :D

I often thought Ricky was threatened by his wife's ambition.
Oooooo, good observation. Never thought of that. ;)

She did prove her comedic talent when they offered her a contract in Hollywood after that "dummy" performance.

Oooooo, good observation. Never thought of that. ;)

She did prove her comedic talent when they offered her a contract in Hollywood after that "dummy" performance.

Heck, she was offered a contract when she was offered to play Ricky's father in "The Talent Scout"--ya know, the one where she has that full beard glued to her face?:lol:

Heck, she was offered a contract when she was offered to play Ricky's father in "The Talent Scout"--ya know, the one where she has that full beard glued to her face?:lol:
Yep. And she was offered one when she did the seal act too. :cool:

Everyone knows how much unknown women in their mid 40s who can't sing or dance are in such demand in show biz. They suddenly become stars. Just like....maybe an example will come to me later. :lol:
Some people seem to forget it was a comedy and a plot device, not REAL life.

Some people seem to forget it was a comedy and a plot device, not REAL life.
Thanks for the reminder that it's not real life. All this time, I thought it was real. I know it's a comedy, and I answered it with that in mind. That's my final answer, whether you like it or not.

Oh i LOVE everything you have to say, you are so clever and witty. Not a 50s mindset at all.:lol:

And more importantly, at least you are NOT BORING, notice how many people are here now, it was well worth it, LOL!

And more importantly, at least you are NOT BORING, notice how many people are here now, it was well worth it, LOL!
And neither are you SPLAIN. You have made me :rofl: many a time. We all have our moments, I can attest to that.

We needed this place rockin', but I didn't expect it like this. :eek: :lol:

Oh i LOVE everything you have to say, you are so clever and witty. Not a 50s mindset at all.:lol:
Maybe that's because he's in his 30s, unless you mean the decade of the 1950s. Brian put your avatar together. I say let's all be friends. Life's too short. We've all learned that, at some point throughout our lives. There's a lot to be said for truces. :)

Maybe that's because he's in his 30s, unless you mean the decade of the 1950s. Brian put your avatar together. I say let's all be friends. Life's too short. We've all learned that, at some point throughout our lives. There's a lot to be said for truces. :)
Yeah, I was wondering abt that 50's comment, was it an age reference or the era? Just curious.


Oh Brian made that avatar? Awesome work. I didn't know that. GOOD JOB BRIAN! :thumbsup: I save the ones you found for me Janice so I can use them again and again. ;)

I think he meant era, but I'm just guessing.

Maybe that's because he's in his 30s, unless you mean the decade of the 1950s. Brian put your avatar together. I say let's all be friends. Life's too short. We've all learned that, at some point throughout our lives. There's a lot to be said for truces. :)
Oh i agree with that. If he leaves me alone, i can stay. I meant his thinking is straight from the 50's. I wanted to delete myself but could not find the way to do it. I like most of the people here so we'll give it another try. I SPLAINED to TJ that i DID drop the political comments but then HE came over and started me up again by bringing up lies, so i just answered him. I would actually MISS some of the people here, some are very nice, some, NOT SO MUCH, LOL!:lol: I live by the credo that LIFE IS TOO SHORT so i certainly thought that getting all worked up over some posts was ridiculous. I mean a friggin message board for gosh sakes, like who cares? Anyhoo, let's start over . . .

Oh i agree with that. If he leaves me alone, i can stay. I meant his thinking is straight from the 50's. I wanted to delete myself but could not find the way to do it. I like most of the people here so we'll give it another try. I SPLAINED to TJ that i DID drop the political comments but then HE came over and started me up again by bringing up lies, so i just answered him. I would actually MISS some of the people here, some are very nice, some, NOT SO MUCH, LOL!:lol: I live by the credo that LIFE IS TOO SHORT so i certainly thought that getting all worked up over some posts was ridiculous. I mean a friggin message board for gosh sakes, like who cares? Anyhoo, let's start over . . .
Great attitude Splain. Let's all "swaller our pride" as Tennessee Ernie Ford once said on ILL. :lol: It's done, it's over with, let's move on. ;) :D

Oh i agree with that. If he leaves me alone, i can stay. I meant his thinking is straight from the 50's. I wanted to delete myself but could not find the way to do it. I like most of the people here so we'll give it another try. I SPLAINED to TJ that i DID drop the political comments but then HE came over and started me up again by bringing up lies, so i just answered him. I would actually MISS some of the people here, some are very nice, some, NOT SO MUCH, LOL!:lol: I live by the credo that LIFE IS TOO SHORT so i certainly thought that getting all worked up over some posts was ridiculous. I mean a friggin message board for gosh sakes, like who cares? Anyhoo, let's start over . . .
Evidently you care. That's the problem, Splain. You never know when to just drop it. You manage to get it a couple of shots, then say you'll stop. Don't rewrite history either. TJ issued his warning, then you, and only you, continued with the personal attacks against Brian. Everyone else complied. You were getting reported all over the place. It's all there, so your denial is ridiculous. Even with this reply to me, instead of just saying, sounds good and I'm glad it's over, you gotta get a few more insults in. This isn't a case of Brian leaving you alone, it's a case of you leaving him alone.

Evidently you care. That's the problem, Splain. You never know when to just drop it. You manage to get it a couple of shots, then say you'll stop. Don't rewrite history either. TJ issued his warning, then you, and only you, continued with the personal attacks against Brian. Everyone else complied. You were getting reported all over the place. It's all there, so your denial is ridiculous. Even with this reply to me, instead of just saying, sounds good and I'm glad it's over, you gotta get a few more insults in. This isn't a case of Brian leaving you alone, it's a case of you leaving him alone.
I agree Janice. He keeps saying he's going to drop it but first he has to get a few shots in. He should just say it's dropped and lets move on. :)

But it was DROPPED and brain damage came over and started me up again, i don't know why you can't see that and Janice, i could leave right now and not give a hoot, there are five other boards for Lucy, i just LIKE SOME of the people here and therefore came back to chat with THEM.

Evidently you care. That's the problem, Splain. You never know when to just drop it. You manage to get it a couple of shots, then say you'll stop. Don't rewrite history either. TJ issued his warning, then you, and only you, continued with the personal attacks against Brian. Everyone else complied. You were getting reported all over the place. It's all there, so your denial is ridiculous. Even with this reply to me, instead of just saying, sounds good and I'm glad it's over, you gotta get a few more insults in. This isn't a case of Brian leaving you alone, it's a case of you leaving him alone.
You are the one rewriting history, i got the warning from TJ, which was very nicely worded by the way, she at least KNOWS how to talk on these things, AFTER i posted everything i did, not before.

You are the one rewriting history, i got the warning from TJ, which was very nicely worded by the way, she at least KNOWS how to talk on these things, AFTER i posted everything i did, not before.
But it was DROPPED and brain damage came over and started me up again, i don't know why you can't see that and Janice, i could leave right now and not give a hoot, there are five other boards for Lucy, i just LIKE SOME of the people here and therefore came back to chat with THEM.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298)

You and Brian had been fighting, but here, on the above thread, TJ warned everyone to stop, on Post #29. This was on 2/21.

The very next day, 2/22, you took a swipe at Brian. His name is Brian, not Brain, by the way.

You insulted Brian, in Posts #30 and #31. Your insults to Brian actually immediately followed TJ's warning, on Post #29, which takes real gall. Brian replied to you in Posts #32 and #33, expressing disbelief that you were continuing on, after TJ's warning on the boards, the night before. Brian didn't insult you. You then insulted Brian again in post #34.

I expressed surprise that you were keeping it up, as did Clint Eastwood Fan in Posts #38 and #39. Nobody could believe that you were keeping it up, after TJ's warning.

Another jab at Brian at Post #17 on 2/22.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2)


On 2/22, Brian again pointing out how you won't stop, despite TJ's warning. Post #53.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4)


On this thread, on 2/22, the day AFTER TJ made the public warning, you continued on with your insults towards Brian on Post #40.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242)


So there it is, that's how I can say it. TJ issued his warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone complied, but you, as you went on a verbal rampage on 2/22 against Brian. You can't find a single post that Brian made against you that was made AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21. Nothing before that counts.

You kept it up Splain. That's a fact. It's all there. If Brian continued on AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21, then show me the thread/post. You can't, because there are none. I predict that you'll come back with some confusing reply that's short on logic and facts, but long on sarcasm -- or you'll show me posts that Brian made before TJ's warning, which doesn't count.

To summarize. TJ issued a warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone, including Brian, complied. You, on the other hand, got worse, as shown above. Even when I tried to appeal to you for a truce, you had to take a shot at Brian.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298)

You and Brian had been fighting, but here, on the above thread, TJ warned everyone to stop, on Post #29. This was on 2/21.

The very next day, 2/22, you took a swipe at Brian. His name is Brian, not Brain, by the way.

You insulted Brian, in Posts #30 and #31. Your insults to Brian actually immediately followed TJ's warning, on Post #29, which takes real gall. Brian replied to you in Posts #32 and #33, expressing disbelief that you were continuing on, after TJ's warning on the boards, the night before. Brian didn't insult you. You then insulted Brian again in post #34.

I expressed surprise that you were keeping it up, as did Clint Eastwood Fan in Posts #38 and #39. Nobody could believe that you were keeping it up, after TJ's warning.

Another jab at Brian at Post #17 on 2/22.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2)


On 2/22, Brian again pointing out how you won't stop, despite TJ's warning. Post #53.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4)


On this thread, on 2/22, the day AFTER TJ made the public warning, you continued on with your insults towards Brian on Post #40.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242)


So there it is, that's how I can say it. TJ issued his warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone complied, but you, as you went on a verbal rampage on 2/22 against Brian. You can't find a single post that Brian made against you that was made AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21. Nothing before that counts.

You kept it up Splain. That's a fact. It's all there. If Brian continued on AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21, then show me the thread/post. You can't, because there are none. I predict that you'll come back with some confusing reply that's short on logic and facts, but long on sarcasm -- or you'll show me posts that Brian made before TJ's warning, which doesn't count.

To summarize. TJ issued a warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone, including Brian, complied. You, on the other hand, got worse, as shown above. Even when I tried to appeal to you for a truce, you had to take a shot at Brian.
That's good Detective work Janice. That's what it always looked like to me too. :)

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836298#post3836298)

You and Brian had been fighting, but here, on the above thread, TJ warned everyone to stop, on Post #29. This was on 2/21.

The very next day, 2/22, you took a swipe at Brian. His name is Brian, not Brain, by the way.

You insulted Brian, in Posts #30 and #31. Your insults to Brian actually immediately followed TJ's warning, on Post #29, which takes real gall. Brian replied to you in Posts #32 and #33, expressing disbelief that you were continuing on, after TJ's warning on the boards, the night before. Brian didn't insult you. You then insulted Brian again in post #34.

I expressed surprise that you were keeping it up, as did Clint Eastwood Fan in Posts #38 and #39. Nobody could believe that you were keeping it up, after TJ's warning.

Another jab at Brian at Post #17 on 2/22.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=218672&page=2)


On 2/22, Brian again pointing out how you won't stop, despite TJ's warning. Post #53.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=219905&page=4)


On this thread, on 2/22, the day AFTER TJ made the public warning, you continued on with your insults towards Brian on Post #40.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242 (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3837242#post3837242)


So there it is, that's how I can say it. TJ issued his warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone complied, but you, as you went on a verbal rampage on 2/22 against Brian. You can't find a single post that Brian made against you that was made AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21. Nothing before that counts.

You kept it up Splain. That's a fact. It's all there. If Brian continued on AFTER TJ's warning on 2/21, then show me the thread/post. You can't, because there are none. I predict that you'll come back with some confusing reply that's short on logic and facts, but long on sarcasm -- or you'll show me posts that Brian made before TJ's warning, which doesn't count.

To summarize. TJ issued a warning on the boards on 2/21. Everyone, including Brian, complied. You, on the other hand, got worse, as shown above. Even when I tried to appeal to you for a truce, you had to take a shot at Brian.


Thanks for that Janice, you are 100% right. It befuddles me how someone can be so slow to heed a warning from the administrator.

Thanks for that Janice, you are 100% right. It befuddles me how someone can be so slow to heed a warning from the administrator.
And the owner, to boot. Furthermore, you get blamed for keeping it going, after TJ issued his warning. In fact, you thanked TJ for the warning, and told him that you would obey him, and you did.

Post #324
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3836718#post3836718

And the owner, to boot. Furthermore, you get blamed for keeping it going, after TJ issued his warning. In fact, you thanked TJ for the warning, and told him that you would obey him, and you did.


I'm a good boy when needed to be! :D

Of course, this Lucy forum wouldn't be the same without Splain, and I hope he continues posting up a storm. I sincerely hope we can all get past this, and be the adults that we are. :)

I will if YOU CAN ALL JUST LET THIS SUBJECT DROP ALREADY!

And getting back on topic which is what MODERATORS are supposed to do in these situations, LOL! Lucy had more talent in her little finger than Ricky had in his whole body as she was able to prove on more than one occasion, LOL!

And getting back on topic which is what MODERATORS are supposed to do in these situations, LOL!
Drop that moderator hooey. We're allowed to debate and discuss anything within the rules. I answered your questions you asked on, Posts #26 and #27. Don't ask me a question if you can't handle the answer.

NOW, we're back on topic. :) I think Lucy was more talented as a comedienne, but Ricky had it over her as a performer, in terms of singing, etc.

Drop that moderator baloney. We're allowed to debate and discuss anything within the rules. I answered your questions here, Posts #26 and #27. Don't ask me a question if you can't handle the answer.

NOW, we're back on topic. :) I think Lucy was more talented as a comedienne, but Ricky had it over her as a performer, in terms of singing, etc.


:yeahthat I agree, Lucy was a comedienne, but Ricky could Babaloo! :lol:

Lucy's TALENT was COMEDY--no ifs ands or buts. For years she struggled as a serious actress. She wasn't bad but she didn't stand out either. And when you have stiff competition like Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Betty Hutton, etc.--who are phenomenal --being decent and acceptable is just not good enough. Lucy's nickname for years was "the queen of the Grade B movies." But what I never understood is, why on earth no director or producer ever discovered her gift for comedy. Lucy's most amazing achievement to me was taking on the new medium of television, truly wrapping her arms around it, and presenting us with such amazing physical comedy never seen before. She was a pioneer.

Ricky was a good entertainer, but to me where he really stood out to me was as an astute businessman. He engineered some brilliant business moves that made him and Lucy millionaires many times over.

How the hell did Betty Hutton get in that group? LOL! Lucy just wanted to work so she did not care if that meant being called Queen of the B's or Technicolor Tessie. Lucy proved she could do drama in The Big Street, so that was not the problem, but i agree with you that it is so typical of Hollywood that they could not for the most part, see her gift for comedy. Eddie Cantor did, as did her mentor, Buster Keaton and along with Eddie Sedgwick taught her about props and their importance. I thought we were discussing the characters Lucy and Ricky, not Lucy and Desi in real life, if we are then i want to say that Desi did NOT make Lucy a millionnaire, Lucy did. His flair for business was all her stories, not REAL i think because if he was that kind of genius, he would not have sold the series for 4 million to then buy RKO which he sank to the ground until she took it over and rebuilt it to then sell it to get some of her money back. What he was was a great PIONEER who knew how to present her and hire the right people to make the best tv show of all time. If he had kept the series then his kids today would be worth millions, the money these people can make in SYNDICATION is just incredible, but CBS got that money, not the Arnaz clan.

I think the thread is asking if LUCY RICARDO could be a bigger star than RICKY RICARDO, not Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. :lol:

I think the thread is asking if LUCY RICARDO could be a bigger star than RICKY RICARDO, not Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. :lol:

Geez, boy did I goof! I went back to the beginning I realize now I misread the thread. Sorry.:blush::blush:

How the hell did Betty Hutton get in that group? LOL! Lucy just wanted to work so she did not care if that meant being called Queen of the B's or Technicolor Tessie. Lucy proved she could do drama in The Big Street, so that was not the problem, but i agree with you that it is so typical of Hollywood that they could not for the most part, see her gift for comedy. Eddie Cantor did, as did her mentor, Buster Keaton and along with Eddie Sedgwick taught her about props and their importance. I thought we were discussing the characters Lucy and Ricky, not Lucy and Desi in real life, if we are then i want to say that Desi did NOT make Lucy a millionnaire, Lucy did. His flair for business was all her stories, not REAL i think because if he was that kind of genius, he would not have sold the series for 4 million to then buy RKO which he sank to the ground until she took it over and rebuilt it to then sell it to get some of her money back. What he was was a great PIONEER who knew how to present her and hire the right people to make the best tv show of all time. If he had kept the series then his kids today would be worth millions, the money these people can make in SYNDICATION is just incredible, but CBS got that money, not the Arnaz clan.

Yeah, SPLAIN, I know I'm a little wierd, but I really like Betty Hutton--so I can understand your reaction.

And I'm not knocking Lucy for her acting, the fact that she kept plugging away is admirable; she had an AMAZING WORK ETHIC and it was this determination that, IMO, led to her success as equally as her flair for comedy. Her resolve to succeed motivated her to grab the new medium of television by the horns. Nobody knew what television was going to become, but she just dived right in. When you look back, so many were awkward on this new medium--BUT NOT HER. I personally don't think she was outstanding as a dramatic actress--but so what--nobody can touch her when it comes to physical comedy; she was a true genius in this area.

Regarding Desi, my understanding was he made brilliant business decisions regarding the show. I thought he was one of the first to jump on the concept of reruns, and that he had made millions for Desilu. If I'm off on this, I stand corrected. And this, of course, takes nothing away from Lucy, who proved she's an astute businesswoman--growing Desilu several times over after she bought ownership.

PS. I enjoy learning from you...the board really jumps when you're around! You SPLAIN things very well!! :thumbsup:

Geez, boy did I goof! I went back to the beginning I realize now I misread the thread. Sorry.:blush::blush:
No problem sweetie. I misread things too. :lol: It happens to the best of us. :D

Now that I finally understand, it's a little hard to answer the question, because, Lucy the character and Lucille Ball the actress seem so welded together. But I guess I'd have to say Ricky over Lucy, if I just think of Lucy the character--even though that doesn't seem to be the consensus. In real life, Lucille wins handily over Desi, IMHO.

Yes, the question was definitely about the characters but no big deal Rich, really. I also love Betty Hutton, very talented, do you know what happened to her at the end of HER life? Back to Lucy and Desi. Problem is while i certainly do NOT want to take away anything from Desi, he took credit for many things Jess Oppenheimer did, that was the main reason Jess left the series eventually. And i don't know if i'd want to be remembered as the man who invented the rerun as reruns drive the viewing public nuts nowadays, LOL! Desi however DID have 16 shows on the air at one point, so he knew TV and knew how to make a funny show and one that lasted for decades and was beloved all over the world will be his lasting legacy. But taking the money he got for that show and sinking it in a studio that almost went bankrupt is not a great business decision, especially if he had kept the series and become the very first Aaron Spelling or Danny Thomas or Seinfeld Roseanne or Raymond, they become rich beyond their dreams with ownership of ONE syndicated series. So after his drinking and lack of interest sank the studio, SHE bought him out and gave him 2.5 million for his share, he then LIVES on that for the rest of his life, instead of investing it and living on the interest which is what a good business man does, so he later got huge medical bills and wound up leaving his kids nothing but debts. However, Lucy left them a fortune because she was very careful with money all her life, even when she was just struggling in show business and newly married to him, he did not even have the down payment for a house. However, he did take care of his mother for the rest of her life, she even outlived him, and he gave company shares to principal or key people and Lucy lived well when she was married to him because he took everybody on trips, had the famous Desilu picnics and helped lots of people out, but being good with money was more her forte, not his. He even had to call Howard Huges to find out if buying RKO was a good idea, and Howie said the real estate alone meant it could not lose money. But running a STUDIO with thousand of employees could though. I always also thought that million dollar mistake he once found in a contract from CBS was really there to get them to forever stay with the company and not an error, i mean does a co like CBS make million dollar mistakes? Lucy and Desi both had exclusivity contracts to stay with CBS for twenty years so what was an extra million to them anyway? Lucy later got that HUSH money under the table while she did her other series, but she had to invest it back in the studio to keep the place from falling apart, once even using 600 thousand that could have gone in HER pocket to finance Star trek and Mission Impossible, which have now grossed BILLIONS for CBS Viacom Paramount.

Yes, the question was definitely about the characters but no big deal Rich, really. I also love Betty Hutton, very talented, do you know what happened to her at the end of HER life? Back to Lucy and Desi. Problem is while i certainly do NOT want to take away anything from Desi, he took credit for many things Jess Oppenheimer did, that was the main reason Jess left the series eventually. And i don't know if i'd want to be remembered as the man who invented the rerun as reruns drive the viewing public nuts nowadays, LOL! Desi however DID have 16 shows on the air at one point, so he knew TV and knew how to make a funny show and one that lasted for decades and was beloved all over the world will be his lasting legacy. But taking the money he got for that show and sinking it in a studio that almost went bankrupt is not a great business decision, especially if he had kept the series and become the very first Aaron Spelling or Danny Thomas or Seinfeld Roseanne or Raymond, they become rich beyond their dreams with ownership of ONE syndicated series. So after his drinking and lack of interest sank the studio, SHE bought him out and gave him 2.5 million for his share, he then LIVES on that for the rest of his life, instead of investing it and living on the interest which is what a good business man does, so he later got huge medical bills and wound up leaving his kids nothing but debts. However, Lucy left them a fortune because she was very careful with money all her life, even when she was just struggling in show business and newly married to him, he did not even have the down payment for a house. However, he did take care of his mother for the rest of her life, she even outlived him, and he gave company shares to principal or key people and Lucy lived well when she was married to him because he took everybody on trips, had the famous Desilu picnics and helped lots of people out, but being good with money was more her forte, not his. He even had to call Howard Huges to find out if buying RKO was a good idea, and Howie said the real estate alone meant it could not lose money. But running a STUDIO with thousand of employees could though. I always also thought that million dollar mistake he once found in a contract from CBS was really there to get them to forever stay with the company and not an error, i mean does a co like CBS make million dollar mistakes? Lucy and Desi both had exclusivity contracts to stay with CBS for twenty years so what was an extra million to them anyway? Lucy later got that HUSH money under the table while she did her other series, but she had to invest it back in the studio to keep the place from falling apart, once even using 600 thousand that could have gone in HER pocket to finance Star trek and Mission Impossible, which have now grossed BILLIONS for CBS Viacom Paramount.


Wow!!! You sure "splain" things well! Yeah I agree Lucy was the smarter one with $, and smarter than him in general. She was one smart cookie, lol!

True but it was a time when women were SUPPOSED to stay in the background, men hated her telling them what to do, God, there are some people that way still today. So it was an uphill battle for her, you know the old story, if a man barks orders and knows what to do he's a genius, if a woman does it, she's a beeatch.