Jess Oppenheimer - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:03 PM

Was this guy smart or what? Producing a show like I Love Lucy and keeping it fresh, and then keeping his share of the show, unlike the man who was often taking credit for what he had accomplished. Jess sais that he often heard that Desi had taken credit for some of his ideas, whatever, the point is that they worked so well together, those brilliant writers, who Jess also gave some shares of his I Love Lucy stake, so that eventually Bob and Madelyn and Jess never had to work again, just had to cash those cheques. And to this day, Jess' son Gregg still owns part of the I Love Lucy show, because his father never sold it and shrewdly held on to it. I love the way Jess always said that it was the meshing of the best cast, and all the pieces fell together at the same right moment to create the greatest tv show of all time, maybe that's why it's endured for so long. Lucy always acknowledged the great writers who were able to come up with all those priceless lines week after week. They did as many as 35 shows in one year, just the three of them. Nowadays 39 writers write a show like Saturday Night Live and you never laugh once.

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:06 PM

I've been thinking about getting his book

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:13 PM

It's only interesting to me where the I Love Lucy show is concerned, and i don't think these two were friends so you might be dissapointed, as i was with the Lucy content. They competed for years as when Desi wanted creative control, he had a very good reason though, he could see the end of I Love Lucy and his not being to get parts so he knew producing could stop that from happening. So he wanted the executive producer credit on the show to help that along. When Jess left the show a year before it's demise, you could see the sadness in Lucy and two other cast members at that famous party at the Beverly Hills house, but Desi looks like he's struggling to hide his joy, so happy to finally be in total control of the show.

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
It's only interesting to me where the I Love Lucy show is concerned, and i don't think these two were friends so you might be dissapointed, as i was with the Lucy content. They competed for years as when Desi wanted creative control, he had a very good reason though, he could see the end of I Love Lucy and his not being to get parts so he knew producing could stop that from happening. So he wanted the executive producer credit on the show to help that along. When Jess left the show a year before it's demise, you could see the sadness in Lucy and two other cast members at that famous party at the Beverly Hills house, but Desi looks like he's struggling to hide his joy, so happy to finally be in total control of the show.

I don't blame the control fight. Now I don't need to buy the book

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:27 PM

But the money goes to an Aids charity as Gregg doesn't need the money! It's still a fascinating behind the scenes story of what happened and how he came about to create the greatest sitcom of all time as he puts it! I think i recall it was Jess who gave Lucy tickets to a Jack Benny show so she could learn comedic timing from the best, and it was he who found out she performed so much better in front of a live audience.

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
But the money goes to an Aids charity as Gregg doesn't need the money! .

Mine stays in my pocket because I do

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:32 PM

You want me to xerox mine? LOL!

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
You want me to xerox mine? LOL!

Canadian money is bigger than american isnt it?? How do you fit it in your wallet? Or do you have especially made ones??

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:41 PM

Wallet makers make them just the right size for our money, what does that have to do with the book though?

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
Wallet makers make them just the right size for our money, what does that have to do with the book though?

I have no idea...you started it (jk)

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:49 PM

Oh, i think i get it now, i meant xeroxing the book, not my money!

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:49 PM

I love you Karen, sometimes, it's like being on the set with Ricky Ricardo!

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 03:52 PM

LOL. Do you see me as Ricky Ricardo??

(jk) Not Jezebel

..Have to put some excitment and color to life sometimes

SPLAIN · 02-24-2004, 03:55 PM

If i see YOU as Ricky, that could splain why i'm single! Hey whoa happen with that neighbor?

Kazza · 02-24-2004, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
If i see YOU as Ricky, that could splain why i'm single! Hey whoa happen with that neighbor?

LOL! He works his a** off 12hrs a day

02-24-2004, 03:03 PM	#1
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Jess Oppenheimer Was this guy smart or what? Producing a show like I Love Lucy and keeping it fresh, and then keeping his share of the show, unlike the man who was often taking credit for what he had accomplished. Jess sais that he often heard that Desi had taken credit for some of his ideas, whatever, the point is that they worked so well together, those brilliant writers, who Jess also gave some shares of his I Love Lucy stake, so that eventually Bob and Madelyn and Jess never had to work again, just had to cash those cheques. And to this day, Jess' son Gregg still owns part of the I Love Lucy show, because his father never sold it and shrewdly held on to it. I love the way Jess always said that it was the meshing of the best cast, and all the pieces fell together at the same right moment to create the greatest tv show of all time, maybe that's why it's endured for so long. Lucy always acknowledged the great writers who were able to come up with all those priceless lines week after week. They did as many as 35 shows in one year, just the three of them. Nowadays 39 writers write a show like Saturday Night Live and you never laugh once.

02-24-2004, 03:06 PM	#2
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	I've been thinking about getting his book

02-24-2004, 03:13 PM	#3
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	It's only interesting to me where the I Love Lucy show is concerned, and i don't think these two were friends so you might be dissapointed, as i was with the Lucy content. They competed for years as when Desi wanted creative control, he had a very good reason though, he could see the end of I Love Lucy and his not being to get parts so he knew producing could stop that from happening. So he wanted the executive producer credit on the show to help that along. When Jess left the show a year before it's demise, you could see the sadness in Lucy and two other cast members at that famous party at the Beverly Hills house, but Desi looks like he's struggling to hide his joy, so happy to finally be in total control of the show.

02-24-2004, 03:27 PM	#5
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	But the money goes to an Aids charity as Gregg doesn't need the money! It's still a fascinating behind the scenes story of what happened and how he came about to create the greatest sitcom of all time as he puts it! I think i recall it was Jess who gave Lucy tickets to a Jack Benny show so she could learn comedic timing from the best, and it was he who found out she performed so much better in front of a live audience.

02-24-2004, 03:32 PM	#7
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	You want me to xerox mine? LOL!

02-24-2004, 03:41 PM	#9
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Wallet makers make them just the right size for our money, what does that have to do with the book though?

02-24-2004, 03:49 PM	#11
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Oh, i think i get it now, i meant xeroxing the book, not my money!

02-24-2004, 03:52 PM	#13
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	LOL. Do you see me as Ricky Ricardo?? (jk) Not Jezebel ..Have to put some excitment and color to life sometimes

02-24-2004, 03:55 PM	#14
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	If i see YOU as Ricky, that could splain why i'm single! Hey whoa happen with that neighbor?