The Lucy Show: Season 3 (rumor of a Dec. 2010 release)

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by rjt100

Since season 3 is rumored to be released during Christmas, it will sell extremely well. So, if season 3 sells well, there will definitely be a season 4 release, probably sometime in summer 2011. I don't think the public domain episodes will have any effect on seasons 5 or 6, especially when there are so many special extras they can add to the final two seasons. The "Lucy In London" special would be a wonderful extra for season five since it ties right in with the Lucy Goes to London episode. They can have clips of Lucy winning her Emmy in 1967 and 1968 for Best Actress In A Comedy Series. I don't think there will be a problem with releasing the last two seasons. The California Years of "The Lucy Show" are just as good as the first three seasons with Vivian Vance. If you do research on "The Lucy Show," seasons four thru six were the highest ranked seasons and wond the most Emmy nominations. True, there were a couple of clinkers like 'Lucy and the Monkey' and 'Lucy, the Superwoman,' but there were also clinkers in seasons one thru three like 'Lucy and the Barbershop Quartet,' and 'Lucy plays Cleopatra.' I also think that the release of "Here's Lucy" has had no affect of the sales of "The Lucy Show." MPI has done a fantastic job on the first three seaons and the sales have been fine. The only MPI release I am not looking forward to is "Lucy Moves to NBC." It was truly a horrible and unnecessary special. So, don't worry because we will have all six seasons of "The Lucy Show" released by the end of 2012.

I sure hope so!!!!!!!!!!

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by rjt100

Since season 3 is rumored to be released during Christmas, it will sell extremely well. So, if season 3 sells well, there will definitely be a season 4 release, probably sometime in summer 2011. I don't think the public domain episodes will have any effect on seasons 5 or 6, especially when there are so many special extras they can add to the final two seasons. The "Lucy In London" special would be a wonderful extra for season five since it ties right in with the Lucy Goes to London episode. They can have clips of Lucy winning her Emmy in 1967 and 1968 for Best Actress In A Comedy Series. I don't think there will be a problem with releasing the last two seasons. The California Years of "The Lucy Show" are just as good as the first three seasons with Vivian Vance. If you do research on "The Lucy Show," seasons four thru six were the highest ranked seasons and wond the most Emmy nominations. True, there were a couple of clinkers like 'Lucy and the Monkey' and 'Lucy, the Superwoman,' but there were also clinkers in seasons one thru three like 'Lucy and the Barbershop Quartet,' and 'Lucy plays Cleopatra.' I also think that the release of "Here's Lucy" has had no affect of the sales of "The Lucy Show." MPI has done a fantastic job on the first three seaons and the sales have been fine. The only MPI release I am not looking forward to is "Lucy Moves to NBC." It was truly a horrible and unnecessary special. So, don't worry because we will have all six seasons of "The Lucy Show" released by the end of 2012.

Seriously, there were LOTS of clinkers during the last three seasons of The Lucy Show. Yes, there were a few gems here and there, but too often the show was mediocre at best. And many of those later episodes are just plain unwatchable. "Lucy and the Barbershop Quartet"? That's among my favorite episodes. I don't know how anyone can put that on the same level as "Mooney, the Monkey," "Lucy, the Babysitter," "Lucy and Bob Crane," "Lucy and Ken Berry," and so many others from the California era.

The fact that The Lucy Show was ranked higher during those last three seasons without Viv shouldn't be interpreted as meaning it was a better or more popular show. Based on that logic, you'd have to think people also preferred The Andy Griffith Show without Don Knots. No way. There are a lot of factors that can affect ratings. In the case of The Lucy Show, at the beginning of the 1965-66 season, CBS moved it from the 9:00 time slot to the 8:30 time slot. Time slot changes have impact. The Lucy Show was no longer competing against the popular Andy Williams Show, but instead against an aging Dr. Kildare, which was on its last legs by that point. Also, The Lucy Show was being broadcast in color for the first time ever. Some people may have been tuning in just for the opportunity to finally see Lucy in color. As for the Emmy Awards won, during the first four seasons they were facing fierce competition from the critically-acclaimed The Dick Van Dyke Show, until it left the air in 1966. It's one thing going up against a show like The Dick Van Dyke Show, it's another thing altogether when the big challenger is The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

If you were to do a poll, I guarantee nine out of ten people prefer the Danfield episodes of The Lucy Show over the California episodes. That preference translates to sales potential. And besides, all of the fifth season episodes but one have been in the public domain for years. So if people have a choice between purchasing a $30 DVD set comprised of episodes they've been able to pick up for years for five bucks or less, and that most consider inferior, or purchase fifth or sixth season DVD sets of Here's Lucy, which they may have never seen before (and which will also be full of extras), for only 15 or 20 bucks, I think it's an easy choice and doesn't bode well for The Lucy Show. So I stand by my opinion that if these The Lucy Show sets are rushed out into the market while Here's Lucy is still being released, it will be catastrophic for sales of The Lucy Show.

[Robert 13]

Though, for people who don't like ordering online, "Here's Lucy" has been unavailable in most stores. I've heard this from many fans. I was unable to find any seasons of "Here's Lucy" in stores.

"The Lucy Show", however, has been widely available in stores. So it's availability has certainly helped its sales.

[rjt100]

First, I have seen copies of "The Lucy Show" on sale in many stores and I have also seen copies of "Here's Lucy" in stores like Best Buy and Target. But, I think both series have sold extremely well on Amazon.com and DVD Empire.com. There are a lot of Lucy fans (like me) that happen to like seasons four through six of "The Lucy Show." I admit that I do like the first three years better but since I love Lucille Ball I also think she was great in the last three seasons. "The Lucy Show" during the California Years had much more competition than the Vivian Vance years. They threw everything but the kitchen sink against Lucy and she still survived in the top ten. I don't think people would watch a TV show (in 1965) just because it was broadcast in color. ABC threw "The Rat Patrol" against Lucy in 1966 and it landed in 24th place in its' first season. Lucy was number 4. During the "Here's Lucy" years from 1968-1974, they threw "Laugh-In," "Monday Night Football," and major theaterical movies against her and she still survived. When "Laugh-In" was in its' second season it was the number 1 show on televsion but "Here's Lucy" still managed to stay in the top ten at number 9 and during 1970-71 season when they still were both competing against each other "Here's Lucy" managed (after two years) to beat "Laugh-In" and finished number 3 for the season, while "Laugh-In" fell to 14th place. It just showed that people love to watch Lucy. "Laugh-In" was a fad and had very topical humor. "Lucy" is funny (I know there are clinkers) and can still be watched today while Laugh-In can't. During the 1964-65 season "The Andy Williams" show wasn't that popular. It didn't even finish in the Top 30 shows. So, when "The Lucy Show" moved to 8:30 pm the following season, not having Andy Williams as competition just showed that people liked "The Lucy Show" and the new format. "The Andy Williams Show" was never a hit and wasn't a factor for season four of "The Lucy Show" being more popular in the ratings than season three. I know that people will buy seasons five and six of "The Lucy Show" even if "Here's Lucy" is released at the same time, but, I don't think that will be the case. Like I wrote before, we know that season three will sell well, which means that season four can be released during the summer of 2011. "Here's Lucy" season four will most likely be released during the first quarter of 2011. Season five of "Here's Lucy" can be released in fall of 2011 and season five of "The Lucy Show" can be released in February of 2012. Season six of "Here's Lucy" can be released in the first quarter of 2012 and the final season of "The Lucy Show" can be released during the summer of 2012. I don't think there will be a problem. Lucille Ball is a comedy legend and there are enough fans to buy both of her series on DVD. Just think of the money CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment has lost over the years from the number of public domain copies that have been sold from $5.00 to $14.99. I don't like the public domain episodes mainly because of the quality of the film. It's horrible. So, as long as season four sells well there will be a season five release. As far a Emmys go, "The Lucy Show" never competed with "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir." I was a fan of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" but it was far overrated. Lucille Ball should have won an Emmy in season one of "The Lucy Show" (the series best season) but The NATAS gave the award to Shirley Booth for "Hazel." The NATAS gave Mary Tyler Moore the Emmy in 1965 just because the show was ending but actually the ratings were falling plus Mary was considered a supporting character especially during the first two seasons. The DVD show finished in 16th place during the 1965-66 season while "The Lucy Show" with is new format was in 3rd place. When Lucy won her Emmy's in 1967 and 1968 she had a lot of competition like Marlo Thomas in "That Girl", Elizabeth Montgomer in "Bewitched" and Paula Prentiss in "He And She" a very funny show and short-lived. She not only deserved the two Emmys she won but it was long overdue; especially since she only won two Emmys before for "I Love Lucy." So, I don't think people would watch a show if they didn't like it and apparently a lot of people loved both formats of "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy," otherwise they never would have lasted that long. Now, if you were talking about "Life With Lucy" that would be a different story. It was a big mistake and one of the worst comedy series of all time. It's a shame that Lucy had taken so much advice from Gary Morton after the "Here's Lucy" years.

[Jude The Obscure]

I think both series are helping each other...and it is a rare thing to see such cooperation from two companies helping the other one. MPI inserts for HL are in the Lucy Show releases, so I think awareness for each series is built by this cooperation. Simply my take on things.

[Benno123]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

I think both series are helping each other...and it is a rare thing to see such cooperation from two companies helping the other one. MPI inserts for HL are in the Lucy Show releases, so I think awareness for each series is built by this cooperation. Simply my take on things.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by rjt100

First, I have seen copies of "The Lucy Show" on sale in many stores and I have also seen copies of "Here's Lucy" in stores like Best Buy and Target. But, I think both series have sold extremely well on Amazon.com and DVD Empire.com. There are a lot of Lucy fans (like me) that happen to like seasons four through six of "The Lucy Show."

You're totally missing the point in my post. Yes, there are diehard fans who are going to buy any Lucy DVD that comes out, no matter what. I don't doubt that at all. My point is that CBS keeps insisting on VERY strong sales in order for them to continue releasing more seasons. The question is can sales stay at a high enough level to satisfy them. There are three categories of prospective customers: 1) diehard fans; 2) those who are only interested in buying the seasons with Vivian Vance (and I've seen SO many people who fall into this category); and 3) people who are on the fence about whether to buy the later seasons. Right now all three of those categories are buying these sets. The question is how big are each of these categories. After the third season is released, Category 2 will go away completely. There WILL be a dip in sales when those customers disappear, the question is what percentage of the market does that category represent? If it's significantly large, then the loss of this category may dissuade CBS from issuing further releases. If it isn't, then the question becomes how big is Category 3? Those are the people who can go either way, and you would want market conditions to be perfect to attract those people.

The fact that practically all of the fifth season is already available through cheap public domain releases will already make it hard to keep those customers interested. Add on top of that concurrent releases of Here's Lucy, that are about ten dollars cheaper than the CBS releases of The Lucy Show, and have more extras; if those people are watching their pennies, they're most likely going to buy Here's Lucy if they buy anything at all. The best scenario for keeping the Category 3 customers interested is if there is nothing left in the market to compete against the release of the final seasons. And that would require that all of Here's Lucy is already out. I've spent years working in marketing and these are the kinds of things that have to be considered for ensuring optimum sales. And no, I don't buy this idea that glutting the market with Lucy products will make people buy more. Most people only have so much time available in the day to watch TV, so they're not going to go out and buy up a bunch of DVDs at one time that they don't even have time to watch. There needs to be sufficient time between releases, such as what happened with The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The releases of the first four seasons did only okay. But then there was a long lag of 3 and 1/2 years between Season Four and Season Five, so when Season Five got released, it sold like gangbusters, far outselling the initial sales of the prior seasons. The long wait with nothing else available made people eager.

[Marvo301]

I disagree with you about the public domain episodes. I own a number of them myself and I can tell you from personal experience that the quality of these releases is very poor. And owning these episode will not stop me from buying a much better quality set from CBS/Paramount if and when it is released. I expect many others who own the public domain releases will feel the same way. I have no doubt season 5 will sell well when CBS/Paramount releases it.

[MichaelKeith]

LittleRickyII, I agree with everything you have said. I bought seasons one and two of TLS because of the relationship of Lucy and Vivian. I love all of those episodes. I am not planning to buy seasons 4 through 6 and may not even buy season 3 because I don't like the countess episodes w/Ann Sothern. Not that I don't like Ann Sothern, but I didn't like that role she played. I love the camraderie of Lucy and Viv in the first two seasons and their children. The stories were sweet then.

[novarrofan]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I disagree with you about the public domain episodes. I own a number of them myself and I can tell you from personal experience that the quality of these releases is very poor. And owning these episode will not stop me from buying a much better quality set from CBS/Paramount if and when it is released. I expect many others who own the public domain releases will feel the same way. I have no doubt season 5 will sell well when CBS/Paramount releases it.

Totally agree with you there Marvo. I own some of those compilations of public domain episodes (all from season five) and I can tell you that I'm very much looking forward to throwing them all in the rubbish bin and purchasing a nice sleek Paramount released DVD edition of the complete season five containing restored episodes, great packaging and hopefully lots of interesting extras relevent to that season. Never for one second would I hesitate about getting some episodes a second time.

P.S. Is there any word on a release date for the official complete season three yet?

[Robert 13]

Originally Posted by novarrofan

P.S. Is there any word on a release date for the official complete season three yet?

If it IS coming out before the end of the year, I imagine we would hear something soon. However, MPI was said to be working on the Lucille Ball Specials for a November release of the next Double Feature. They have since announced titles through the end of November and it was not on their release schedule.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I disagree with you about the public domain episodes. I own a number of them myself and I can tell you from personal experience that the quality of these releases is very poor. And owning these episode will not stop me from buying a much better quality set from CBS/Paramount if and when it is released. I expect many others who own the public domain releases will feel the same way. I have no doubt season 5 will sell well when CBS/Paramount releases it.

Please reread my post. I'm talking about three categories of potential buyers: 1) diehard fans; 2) those who are only interested in buying the seasons with Vivian Vance; and 3) people who are on the fence about whether to buy the later seasons. You're posting about your own personal preferences and spending choices, seeming to assume all other potential buyers are just like you and eager to buy the later seasons. I can tell you, many are not. From what you write, I would guess you fall into that first category of buyers who will buy anything "Lucy" that is offered for sale. Not every fan who has bought the first two seasons will feel the same way, given other buying choices they may or may not have. Some who have bought public domain episodes in the past will not prioritize spending money on new copies of those episodes, regardless of how much better the visual quality is because they may not be thrilled enough with the content itself.

As I wrote before, I have no idea how much of the total market segment falls into each of these three categories, and I don't think anyone here does. But I will reiterate that if that second category of purchasers is large (i.e., those who have zero interest in seasons 4-6), it will be problematic for future releases of The Lucy Show, and will make it all the more essential for CBS to time the releases in the best possible way to attract that third category of buyers (i.e., the ones who are on the fence) because I'm personally doubtful that the base of die-hard fans on its own is large enough to meet CBS's sales objectives for those later seasons. Don't rush the releases and saturate the market, and don't compete them against never-before-released and cheaper Here's Lucys that have an abundance of extras.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

LittleRickyII, I agree with everything you have said. I bought seasons one and two of TLS because of the relationship of Lucy and Vivian. I love all of those episodes. I am not planning to buy seasons 4 through 6 and may not even buy season 3 because I don't like the countess episodes w/Ann Sothern. Not that I don't like Ann Sothern, but I didn't like that role she played. I love the camraderie of Lucy and Viv in the first two seasons and their children. The stories were sweet then.

That's very interesting. I can relate so much to what you're saying. I do intend to buy the third season, though I'm not sure about the final three. I'll probably end up buying them at some point, but I'm not going to rush and out and get them. I already have DVDs piled up that I haven't had a chance to see. If I'm lucky, I have maybe a half hour a day to watch a DVD. So I'm in no hurry.

I'm a big fan of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but I never liked the first season. I've bought each subsequent season as the DVD of that series have been released through years, but I still have no interest in buying that first season. So I certainly see how there will be fans of The Lucy Show who won't be buying the last three seasons.

Regarding your comment about not caring for the episodes with Ann Sothern, I'll drink to that! I feel much the way you do: I never felt any on-screen chemistry between Lucille Ball and Ann Sothern, even in that Lucy-Desi Hour. I find her appearances on the show rather boring, for the most part. I think it's a good thing she was never made a regular on the show.

[rjt100]

Season four will definitely be out (in my opinion) around July 2011 because the sales of season three will be high, especially if season three is released during the holidays of this year. I don't think CBS would be stupid enough not to release the last two seasons. Believe me there are a lot of diehard Lucy fans, if there weren't, "Here's Lucy" wouldn't be selling that well.

[Robert 13]

Originally Posted by rjt100

Season four will definitely be out (in my opinion) around July 2011 because the sales of season three will be high, especially if season three is released during the holidays of this year. I don't think CBS would be stupid enough not to release the last two seasons. Believe me there are a lot of diehard Lucy fans, if there weren't, "Here's Lucy" wouldn't be selling that well.

Completely agree! Would love to see Season 4 out by July 2011. There are actually some great episodes in that season, IMHO.

Hopefully, an announcement will be made soon about Season 3. So far, they are up to Nov. 9.