Lucy from Danfield to California - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

drewfussclass101 · 08-01-2004, 04:21 PM

which Lucy Show episodes show lucy in the transition from Danfield to California?

bb25 · 08-01-2004, 11:49 PM

There are no real "transition" episodes, as is pointed out in The Lucy Book. It goes from "Lucy the Disk Jockey" (although, I think "Lucy and the Old Mansion" was the last Danfield ep filmed) - to "Lucy at Marineland" starting the 4th season out. Supposedly the move from New York to California, and the lack of Viv, Chris, and Sherman is explained, carelessly, in a few sentences within the Marineland episode. I personally haven't seen that episode so someone else might be able to explain that a little better, but hopefully this helps!

hawaii five-o · 08-02-2004, 08:53 PM

I remember Lucy and Jerry walking around Marineland and they are looking for a post box so they can mail a postcard to Viv. Lucy says something about Viv's new husband and Sherman liking his new dad.

It would have been nice if they had shown Viv's wedding.

drewfussclass101 · 08-02-2004, 10:15 PM

Thanks guys. I have been doin some research myselt and there is an episode before marineland Called "Lucy and the Golde Greek", and it is to suppose to show lucy getting settled in her new apartment and meeting her new next door neighbor.....who then sets up her on a blind date? Has anyone seen this episode?

Iloveviv · 08-03-2004, 01:31 AM

The Greek episode may have been filmed before Lucy and Marineland, but Marineland was the 4th season opener. As you mentioned, about half way through the episodes Lucy is walking with Mr.Mooney and Jerry and says she is going to have to mail a post-card to Aunt Viv and her new husband. Mr.Mooney says he is happy to hear that Viv married Vern Brunson (not sure about Vern, but sure about Brunson). Lucy says Sherman is happy to have a new father, and asks Jerry if he would like one. I can't remember his response, but I think he said he would rather have a skateboard.

The Greek episode settles Lucy in her new apartment, and we meet her new neighbor, Mary Jane (who played Audrey the first season of THE LUCY SHOW and Betty Ramsey the last season of the half-hour I LOVE LUCY's. We also find out that Chris is away at college.

This information is conveyed in the first five minutes of the episode. The rest of the show is frankly not very funny.

It would have been very nice if somehow Lucy could have begged Viv to come back for the first 4-6 episodes of the 4th season, so we could meet her new boyfriend....see the wedding...and then have Lucy and Viv say good-bye to each other. In subsequent episodes, we could see Lucy sell her house, settle Chris away in college and tell her goodbye, then make a cross-country trip to California with Jerry , and maybe even the Countess, before placing him in military school. Then we could have her reunited with Mr.Mooney at the California bank.

NOTE..in the 5th season, when Viv visits Lucy, Lucy says she cant wait to hear about Viv's new husband. This is VERY ODD. We would assume Lucy was the Matron of Honor at the wedding. Surely she knew the guy.

The LUCY SHOW had so many different writers over the 6 years that there were a lot of story inconsistencies.

jon123 · 11-23-2004, 01:21 AM

According to the Lucy book, Vivian wanted equal creative control as a condition to continuing on the series. When Lucy refused her demands, she left. Since they means that Vivian did not leave on good terms, that explains why there were no transistion episodes and the season opened with Lucy already in California.

But it was still a mistake to continue the series and have Lucy abandon her kids. Chris was never mentioned again, and in the next season Lucy forgot that her TV son's name was Jerry (she called him Jimmy, who was the actor that played Jerry). Chris and Jerry could have visited their mother from time to time, as Viv did after she reconciled with Lucy. For this reason, I always liked Here's Lucy better.

JaneTVFan · 02-13-2005, 04:14 AM

Viv's husband's last name was Bunson. And yes, those questions about what became of Viv and Chris and then Jerry do get answered (albeit briefly) in those first two episodes. But the one question that is never answered: What the heck is Lucy doing in Los Angeles? She had spent her entire life in New York state. All her friends and family -- her whole life -- were back there. Why would she just ditch everybody and move to Los Angeles by herself? It doesn't make sense.

So you do make a good point about how there should have been a better transition at the beginning of the fourth season. I think the main reason things happened so abruptly was that the decision to continue the Lucy Carmichael character was a last-minute decision. Lucy and Gale Gordon had done a comedy special with Bob Hope a little more than a year earlier. This 1964 special, in which Lucy played a TV actress and Gale Gordon was her manager or something (can't remember) was the pilot for the show Lucy intended to do post-Viv. After that special, Viv wound up deciding to continue with Lucy for one more season. But after the third season, Lucy was again planning to end the series and debut this new one with the new format. But Maury Thompson claimed that he conceived the idea of moving Lucy Carmichael and Mr. Mooney to Los Angeles and presented his idea to Lucy with a script some time in 1965. According to him, she laughed hysterically at the script and decided to go with his Lucy Carmichael in L.A. idea, instead of scrapping the show altogether and starting a completely new series. I have seen the pilot (with Bob Hope) for the format that got shelved and didn't find it terribly funny. Nevertheless, I don't think Lucy's decision to continue TLS without Viv (and the kids) was a very wise one. I think that, had TLS ended in 1965 with Viv's departure, even though there would have been 72 fewer episodes in the series, we'd be seeing a lot more of this series in reruns today. Those California shows spoiled the series and turned off a lot of viewers. Yeah, there were some funny episodes here and there during the California seasons. But for the most part, the series at that point was mediocre. HERE'S LUCY is often criticized for its many poor scripts. But that series is still a cut above most California episodes of TLS. At least Lucy Carter seemed to have a real life outside the office: raising her kids. Lucy Carmichael's life seemed pretty empty. She had no home life, other than visits from Mary Jane and from the guest star of the week. No character development whatsoever in this format.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iloveviv

The Greek episode may have been filmed before Lucy and Marineland, but Marineland was the 4th season opener. As you mentioned, about half way through the episodes Lucy is walking with Mr.Mooney and Jerry and says she is going to have to mail a post-card to Aunt Viv and her new husband. Mr.Mooney says he is happy to hear that Viv married Vern Brunson (not sure about Vern, but sure about Brunson). Lucy says Sherman is happy to have a new father, and asks Jerry if he would like one. I can't remember his response, but I think he said he would rather have a skateboard.

The Greek episode settles Lucy in her new apartment, and we meet her new neighbor, Mary Jane (who played Audrey the first season of THE LUCY SHOW and Betty Ramsey the last season of the half-hour I LOVE LUCY's. We also find out that Chris is away at college.

This information is conveyed in the first five minutes of the episode. The rest of the show is frankly not very funny.

It would have been very nice if somehow Lucy could have begged Viv to come back for the first 4-6 episodes of the 4th season, so we could meet her new boyfriend....see the wedding...and then have Lucy and Viv say good-bye to each other. In subsequent episodes, we could see Lucy sell her house, settle Chris away in college and tell her goodbye, then make a cross-country trip to California with Jerry , and maybe even the Countess, before placing him in military school. Then we could have her reunited with Mr.Mooney at the California bank.

NOTE..in the 5th season, when Viv visits Lucy, Lucy says she cant wait to hear about Viv's new husband. This is VERY ODD. We would assume Lucy was the Matron of Honor at the wedding. Surely she knew the guy.

The LUCY SHOW had so many different writers over the 6 years that there were a lot of story inconsistencies.

MyMovieRomance · 03-06-2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawaii five-o

I remember Lucy and Jerry walking around Marineland and they are looking for a post box so they can mail a postcard to Viv. Lucy says something about Viv's new husband and Sherman liking his new dad.

It would have been nice if they had shown Viv's wedding.

Call me crazy, but I completely would hate to see Vivian get married! It interferes too much with my fantasies about Lucian Vivian being the two most important people in each other's lives. So, I'm glad they didn't film such an episode, and I have no desire to see Sherman with a new father.

The way I see it, Lucy and Vivian were basically a married couple in season one. That's what they were – without the sex.

Marvo301 · 03-07-2014, 02:49 PM

Lucy moved to California to be close to her daughter Chris who was in college somewhere in California. She mentions this in an early season 4 episode.

TMC · 01-10-2020, 09:39 PM

The change to California was apparently attempt on Lucille Ball’s part to break with the first part of her series and start again new in a “fresh format”. Arguably it was a failure because it became difficult for viewers to tell what the series was about as the myriad changes and cast departures gave the appearance that the series was in turmoil.

Duster76 · 01-10-2020, 10:06 PM

The series after season three was celebrity-centric, it was easier to incorporate the celebrities who more often than not were playing themselves by having her work in a bank in Los Angeles.

nvtlover · 01-14-2020, 03:29 PM

"Arguably it was a failure because it became difficult for viewers to tell what the series was about as the myriad changes and cast departures gave the appearance that the series was in turmoil."

No it wasn't a failure at the time. The ratings actually improved. Lucy only won Emmys for these years not the first years (she should have then though). It is only now looking back that people may feel this way. Also, the Lucy Show was highly syndicated in 70s & 80s and reran to end of its Nick & Nite's run in 1996.

08-01-2004, 04:21 PM	#1
drewfussclass101 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 27, 2004 Location: TN Posts: 156	Lucy from Danfield to California which Lucy Show episodes show lucy in the transition from Danfield to California?

08-03-2004, 01:31 AM	#5
Iloveviv Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 12	Lucy and the Greek The Greek episode may have been filmed before Lucy and Marineland, but Marineland was the 4th season opener. As you mentioned, about half way through the episodes Lucy is walking with Mr.Mooney and Jerry and says she is going to have to mail a post-card to Aunt Viv and her new husband. Mr.Mooney says he is happy to hear that Viv married Vern Brunson (not sure about Vern, but sure about Brunson). Lucy says Sherman is happy to have a new father, and asks Jerry if he would like one. I can't remember his response, but I think he said he would rather have a skateboard. The Greek episode settles Lucy in her new apartment, and we meet her new neighbor, Mary Jane (who played Audrey the first season of THE LUCY SHOW and Betty Ramsey the last season of the half-hour I LOVE LUCY's. We also find out that Chris is away at college. This information is conveyed in the first five minutes of the episode. The rest of the show is frankly not very funny. It would have been very nice if somehow Lucy could have begged Viv to come back for the first 4-6 episodes of the 4th season, so we could meet her new boyfriend....see the wedding...and then have Lucy and Viv say good-bye to each other. In subsequent episodes, we could see Lucy sell her house, settle Chris away in college and tell her goodbye, then make a cross-country trip to California with Jerry , and maybe even the Countess, before placing him in military school. Then we could have her reunited with Mr.Mooney at the California bank. NOTE..in the 5th season, when Viv visits Lucy, Lucy says she cant wait to hear about Viv's new husband. This is VERY ODD. We would assume Lucy was the Matron of Honor at the wedding. Surely she knew the guy. The LUCY SHOW had so many different writers over the 6 years that there were a lot of story inconsistencies.

03-07-2014, 02:49 PM	#9
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Lucy moved to California to be close to her daughter Chris who was in college somewhere in California. She mentions this in an early season 4 episode.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-01-2004, 11:49 PM	#2
bb25 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 22, 2002 Posts: 784	There are no real "transition" episodes, as is pointed out in The Lucy Book. It goes from "Lucy the Disk Jockey" (although, I think "Lucy and the Old Mansion" was the last Danfield ep filmed) - to "Lucy at Marineland" starting the 4th season out. Supposedly the move from New York to California, and the lack of Viv, Chris, and Sherman is explained, carelessly, in a few sentences within the Marineland episode. I personally haven't seen that episode so someone else might be able to explain that a little better, but hopefully this helps!

08-02-2004, 08:53 PM	#3
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	I remember Lucy and Jerry walking around Marineland and they are looking for a post box so they can mail a postcard to Viv. Lucy says something about Viv's new husband and Sherman liking his new dad. It would have been nice if they had shown Viv's wedding.

08-02-2004, 10:15 PM	#4
drewfussclass101 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 27, 2004 Location: TN Posts: 156	Thanks guys. I have been doin some research myselt and there is an episode before marineland Called "Lucy and the Golde Greek", and it is to suppose to show lucy getting settled in her new apartment and meeting her new next door neighbor.....who then sets up her on a blind date? Has anyone seen this episode?

11-23-2004, 01:21 AM	#6
jon123 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Temecula Valley, CA Posts: 395	According to the Lucy book, Vivian wanted equal creative control as a condition to continuing on the series. When Lucy refused her demands, she left. Since they means that Vivian did not leave on good terms, that explains why there were no transistion episodes and the season opened with Lucy already in California. But it was still a mistake to continue the series and have Lucy abandon her kids. Chris was never mentioned again, and in the next season Lucy forgot that her TV son's name was Jerry (she called him Jimmy, who was the actor that played Jerry). Chris and Jerry could have visited their mother from time to time, as Viv did after she reconciled with Lucy. For this reason, I always liked Here's Lucy better.

01-10-2020, 09:39 PM	#10
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,545	The change to California was apparently attempt on Lucille Ball’s part to break with the first part of her series and start again new in a “fresh format”. Arguably it was a failure because it became difficult for viewers to tell what the series was about as the myriad changes and cast departures gave the appearance that the series was in turmoil.

01-10-2020, 10:06 PM	#11
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	The series after season three was celebrity-centric, it was easier to incorporate the celebrities who more often than not were playing themselves by having her work in a bank in Los Angeles.

01-14-2020, 03:29 PM	#12
nvtlover Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 22, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 55	"Arguably it was a failure because it became difficult for viewers to tell what the series was about as the myriad changes and cast departures gave the appearance that the series was in turmoil." No it wasn't a failure at the time. The ratings actually improved. Lucy only won Emmys for these years not the first years (she should have then though). It is only now looking back that people may feel this way. Also, the Lucy Show was highly syndicated in 70s & 80s and reran to end of its Nick & Nite's run in 1996.