*Fred Mertz* was almost the 4th Harry Morton?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

WhoisJillScott · 07-09-2021, 12:21 AM

I recently came across an interesting article that shared information I had never heard before (https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2018/10...ry-morton.html). Back in 1953, after I Love Lucy's 2nd season, Bill Frawley was considering quitting the show. Around this time, Fred Clark had announced that he was going to leave Burns and Allen, leaving George to look for a replacement Harry Morton. Apparently, George reached out to Frawley about taking Clark's spot!

Can you imagine Fred Mertz as Blanche's husband, or I Love Lucy without Fred?

I'm so glad things worked out the way they did, with Larry Keating taking over for Fred Clark. It's difficult for me to imagine Bea Benaderet and Bill Frawley being a married couple, or Fred Mertz interacting with Gracie. Bill Frawley was a perfect fit on the I Love Lucy cast, but I feel he would've come off as too harsh/rude as Gracie's neighbor.

The article also mentions an interesting plot idea that George considered doing for the show. To introduce the 4th Harry Morton to the audience, George entertained the idea of bringing in 3 or 4 men for Blanche to interview and pick from to be her next husband!

The version we ended up with (George stopping the cameras and introducing Bea and Larry to each other out of character) was still quite a definitive sitcom moment. I wonder what other crazy ideas George had??

stevea · 07-09-2021, 02:53 PM

I've often wondered about the "magic" TV idea and where that originated. It started out in the living room, and George used it there once.

It must have produced a lot of response, because they moved it to his den and it became a permanent prop during season 7 and in al of 8.

Oh, and the Frawley story was interesting--I've never heard it.

WhoisJillScott · 07-11-2021, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I've often wondered about the "magic" TV idea and where that originated. It started out in the living room, and George used it there once.

It must have produced a lot of response, because they moved it to his den and it became a permanent prop during season 7 and in al of 8.

I've wondered about that, too. George was very creative and always coming up with interesting quirks/breaking-the-4th-wall moments. I love it when he talks to the audience and asks us what's going on, or makes snide remarks about that week's script (and writers). He was so ahead of his time!

The magic TV was a hilarious invention. I loved it when he would scare the Mortons while spying on them!

I find that the later seasons take on a Seinfeld-esque atmosphere, with George and the Mortons becoming more "nasty" and scheming against each other, and Harry Von Zell becoming the comic relief of the show getting fired by George every week and ending up in embarrassing situations. Meanwhile, Gracie stayed her innocent, lovable self, making it even more funny when she would get involved in the plots against George

Duster76 · 07-13-2021, 12:05 AM

[QUOTE=WhoisJillScott;5938669]I recently came across an interesting article that shared information I had never heard before (https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2018/10...ry-morton.html). Back in 1953, after I Love Lucy's 2nd season, Bill Frawley was considering quitting the show. Around this time, Fred Clark had announced that he was going to leave Burns and Allen, leaving George to look for a replacement Harry Morton. Apparently, George reached out to Frawley about taking Clark's spot!

Can you imagine Fred Mertz as Blanche's husband, or I Love Lucy without Fred?

I'm so glad things worked out the way they did, with Larry Keating taking over for Fred Clark. It's difficult for me to imagine Bea Benaderet and Bill Frawley being a married couple, or Fred Mertz interacting with Gracie. Bill Frawley was a perfect fit on the I Love Lucy cast, but I feel he would've come off as too harsh/rude as Gracie's neighbor.

This whole thing makes no sense. I think old pro George Burns may have been fanning the flames to build interest in his series for the upcoming season. Let's think about this for a second:

Fred Clark left the series over a salary dispute, so why would Burns offer Frawley more money to take the role.

Both series (Burns and Allen and I Love Lucy) were on CBS, Burns and Allen was successful, but I Love Lucy was the number 1 series in the country a huge hit. There is no way CBS would have approved Frawley switching series, not a chance.

The pecking order on the Burns and Allen show was of course George and Gracie, but after that it was Bea and Von Zell, the character of Harry was behind all that, the Fred Mertz character was much more important part of I Love Lucy.

I also don't buy for a second Desi being displeased with Frawley for signing on with My Three Sons. His marriage was coming to an end, there were only three comedy specials produced for the 59-60 season (there had been 5 produced for the 57-58 and 58-59 season) and rating were not good. There was certainly no future in this franchise moving on was the only thing anyone could do.

07-09-2021, 12:21 AM	#1
WhoisJillScott Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2020 Posts: 14	Fred Mertz was almost the 4th Harry Morton?? I recently came across an interesting article that shared information I had never heard before (https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2018/10...ry-morton.html). Back in 1953, after I Love Lucy's 2nd season, Bill Frawley was considering quitting the show. Around this time, Fred Clark had announced that he was going to leave Burns and Allen, leaving George to look for a replacement Harry Morton. Apparently, George reached out to Frawley about taking Clark's spot! Can you imagine Fred Mertz as Blanche's husband, or I Love Lucy without Fred? I'm so glad things worked out the way they did, with Larry Keating taking over for Fred Clark. It's difficult for me to imagine Bea Benaderet and Bill Frawley being a married couple, or Fred Mertz interacting with Gracie. Bill Frawley was a perfect fit on the I Love Lucy cast, but I feel he would've come off as too harsh/rude as Gracie's neighbor. The article also mentions an interesting plot idea that George considered doing for the show. To introduce the 4th Harry Morton to the audience, George entertained the idea of bringing in 3 or 4 men for Blanche to interview and pick from to be her next husband! The version we ended up with (George stopping the cameras and introducing Bea and Larry to each other out of character) was still quite a definitive sitcom moment. I wonder what other crazy ideas George had??

07-09-2021, 02:53 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,170	I've often wondered about the "magic" TV idea and where that originated. It started out in the living room, and George used it there once. It must have produced a lot of response, because they moved it to his den and it became a permanent prop during season 7 and in al of 8. Oh, and the Frawley story was interesting--I've never heard it.

07-13-2021, 12:05 AM	#4
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	[QUOTE=WhoisJillScott;5938669]I recently came across an interesting article that shared information I had never heard before (https://tralfaz.blogspot.com/2018/10...ry-morton.html). Back in 1953, after I Love Lucy's 2nd season, Bill Frawley was considering quitting the show. Around this time, Fred Clark had announced that he was going to leave Burns and Allen, leaving George to look for a replacement Harry Morton. Apparently, George reached out to Frawley about taking Clark's spot! Can you imagine Fred Mertz as Blanche's husband, or I Love Lucy without Fred? I'm so glad things worked out the way they did, with Larry Keating taking over for Fred Clark. It's difficult for me to imagine Bea Benaderet and Bill Frawley being a married couple, or Fred Mertz interacting with Gracie. Bill Frawley was a perfect fit on the I Love Lucy cast, but I feel he would've come off as too harsh/rude as Gracie's neighbor. This whole thing makes no sense. I think old pro George Burns may have been fanning the flames to build interest in his series for the upcoming season. Let's think about this for a second: Fred Clark left the series over a salary dispute, so why would Burns offer Frawley more money to take the role. Both series (Burns and Allen and I Love Lucy) were on CBS, Burns and Allen was successful, but I Love Lucy was the number 1 series in the country a huge hit. There is no way CBS would have approved Frawley switching series, not a chance. The pecking order on the Burns and Allen show was of course George and Gracie, but after that it was Bea and Von Zell, the character of Harry was behind all that, the Fred Mertz character was much more important part of I Love Lucy. I also don't buy for a second Desi being displeased with Frawley for signing on with My Three Sons. His marriage was coming to an end, there were only three comedy specials produced for the 59-60 season (there had been 5 produced for the 57-58 and 58-59 season) and rating were not good. There was certainly no future in this franchise moving on was the only thing anyone could do.