Desi Arnaz Sr in studio audience?

[Media Lover]

While viewing the episode"Lucy And Lawrence Welk"on my copy of the 4 DVD set of Here's Lucy's Best Loved Episodes,I think I might have heard Desi Arnaz Sr laughing in the studio audience.

[PracTz]

I think that's quite likely as he often would attend tapings ,as to his credit, he was always supportive of his kids' careers- and their mother's even after the divorce!

[comedyfreak]

I'll have to rewatch that episode again.

[Ireneparalegal]

Yes. He was always around, even though they were divorced. Even when he passed away, Lucy told the media that he was a great father and she even went on to say he was a wonderful husband. She hated the infidelity, the drinking, etc. but when he was a husband and father, he was great. So it wouldn't surprise me that he'd be on the set. I doubt he was sitting in the audience, but he would be there on the set. Same thing on the I Love Lucy episodes, you could hear his laughter so easily. The fact you could hear his laughter tells you he had to be right there on the set, as opposed to the audience area, because he would be closer to the mikes, which would catch him laughing.

[NOVARick]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Yes. He was always around, even though they were divorced. Even when he passed away, Lucy told the media that he was a great father and she even went on to say he was a wonderful husband. She hated the infidelity, the drinking, etc. but when he was a husband and father, he was great. So it wouldn't surprise me that he'd be on the set. I doubt he was sitting in the audience, but he would be there on the set. Same thing on the I Love Lucy episodes, you could hear his laughter so easily. The fact you could hear his laughter tells you he had to be right there on the set, as opposed to the audience area, because he would be closer to the mikes, which would catch him laughing.

If Lucille Ball told the media Desi Sr. was a wonderful husband, she probably meant he was a wonderful husband to Edie. If she thought he had been a wonderful husband in her own marriage to him, she wouldn't have divorced him. I have seen her quote after his death about him being a wonderful father to his children, and a great businessman and friend, but I never knew her to say he was a great husband.

[Lamont]

Gary Morton (lucys husband) used to do WARM UP comedy before the show, he would introduce the cast-- and when DESI SR was there, he would introduce him as "MY HUSBAND IN LAW" and Desi would take a bow also!!!!

i think Lucie Arnaz mentions this on the Heres Lucy set in the bonus stuff!

[Benno123]

It's no secret that Desi and Lucy loved each other for the rest of theirs lives. On the A Home Movie special that Lucie produced, Carole Cook mentions that Lucy use to cry when talking about Desi and how she always would say, "He is the love of my life, but I couldn't take it anymore."

I always found it ironic that the show they created and the company they started together just so that their marriage would last, was a major reason for their divorce. I believe had I Love Lucy not been as popular as it was and Desilu didn't grow to become the major Hollywood company like it did, Lucy and Desi would have been married until death. But everything happens for a reason ...

As for Desi in the audience for Here's Lucy, I haven't seen enough episodes to tell if I can hear him or not. But on The Lucy Show in the first couple of episodes, I think I can hear is laughter.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by NOVARick

If Lucille Ball told the media Desi Sr. was a wonderful husband, she probably meant he was a wonderful husband to Edie. If she thought he had been a wonderful husband in her own marriage to him, she wouldn't have divorced him. I have seen her quote after his death about him being a wonderful father to his children, and a great businessman and friend, but I never knew her to say he was a great husband.

I seen her on television many times say he was a great husband. Don't tell me what I seen and know. I have been a huge fan of Lucy's for over 35 years. I have read her books, read books by the people who made I love lucy. So on. She loved Desi til the end. She hated his cheating and lying and drinking. But she loved the man she fell in love with and who was the father of her children. Any true Lucy knows this as a fact. I watched her on many talk shows back in the early 70's (were you around then?) where she talked to Merv, Mike Douglas, etc. abt Desi. Even Desi was on various talk shows and he talked abt how he will always Love Lucy.

[NOVARick]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I seen her on television many times say he was a great husband. Don't tell me what I seen and know. I have been a huge fan of Lucy's for over 35 years. I have read her books, read books by the people who made I love lucy. So on. She loved Desi til the end. She hated his cheating and lying and drinking. But she loved the man she fell in love with and who was the father of her children. Any true Lucy knows this as a fact. I watched her on many talk shows back in the early 70's (were you around then?) where she talked to Merv, Mike Douglas, etc. abt Desi. Even Desi was on various talk shows and he talked abt how he will always Love Lucy.

Yes, I was around back then. I've been a Lucy fan for 40 years. I've seen most of the talk shows she did through the years and have some on video. And yes, I've read the books and I know people who were personal friends of hers. I did not say Lucille Ball did not love Desi, what I said is that I never heard her say he was a good husband. In fact, on the rare times she would speak about their marriage, she would talk about how destructive he was. She referred to him as a "loser" in a Barbara Walters interview when addressing the issue of their married life. Your proposition that she thought he was a good husband makes no sense because she divorced him. Yes, she loved him until the day he died, and his death took a toll on her and probably contributed to her own death. He was the love of her life, something she revealed to close friends, which surely couldn't have made Gary feel too great. After their divorce, they spoke regularly right up until three days before his death (their 46th anniversary) when she called him one last time to tell him she loved him. Their love for one another was unending, but that doesn't mean either of them thought the other was a good spouse.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by NOVARick

Yes, I was around back then. I've been a Lucy fan for 40 years. I've seen most of the talk shows she did through the years and have some on video. And yes, I've read the books and I know people who were personal friends of hers. I did not say Lucille Ball did not love Desi, what I said is that I never heard her say he was a good husband. In fact, on the rare times she would speak about their marriage, she would talk about how destructive he was. She referred to him as a "loser" in a Barbara Walters interview when addressing the issue of their married life. Your proposition that she thought he was a good husband makes no sense because she divorced him. Yes, she loved him until the day he died, and his death took a toll on her and probably contributed to her own death. He was the love of her life, something she revealed to close friends, which surely couldn't have made Gary feel too great. After their divorce, they spoke regularly right up until three days before his death (their 46th anniversary) when she called him one last time to tell him she loved him. Their love for one another was unending, but that doesn't mean either of them thought the other was a good spouse.

then you and I seen two different Lucy's. I am here in Southern California and she did alot of local talk shows here. On KTTV which is now FOX they always had Lucy marathons on her birthday and once she was in the studio talking abt her days with Desi. All the other times they had her on the phone in the studio and just talking abt I Love Lucy and she would talk abt the hilarious stuff that true Lucy fans wouldn't know. She talked abt backstage stuff, how certain scenes were done, etc. When she appeared on this local talk show she stated that Desi WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, when he wasn't philandering, drinking, etc. She said he was attentive to her, was romantic, made her feel like the only lady in the world that deserved this love. Someone can be a great person and still do rotten things. I think this is what she was saying when she made the statement DESI WAS A GREAT HUSBAND. One time she even said, he was a great husband, just ask his new wife...that was funny, because it was true but also points out how much they still cared for each other and how they remained friends.

When Desi passed away and they had the funeral services, the media was there and one of our LOCAL GUYS asked Lucy to say a few words abt Desi. Again she stated: HE WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, FATHER, A SMART MAN, A MAN WHO STILL DESERVES HIS DUE FROM HOLLYWOOD FOR HIS WORK BEHIND THE CAMERA, ETC. I watched this and remember it to this day because she was trying to keep from crying. My ex-husband even said at that time "Why is she saying he was a great husband and she divorced him"? I explained to him what I am saying to you now.
And I remember when they said "back to you in the studio" the newspeople on the set were just talking abt how Lucy, to this day, still says wonderful things abt Desi. So, that is how I know. I am from southern California and Lucy did alot of appearances and phone-in stuff for alot of stations here that didn't televise to the entire nation.

[Lamont]

Well both of you are right

Back in the 1970s and early 80/81 Lucy sometimes spoke Harshly of Desi and was often rude in interviews about him, she always stressed that they were still close and all, but she did refer to him as a drunk and a loser and could be strong with her words

HOWEVER, as the 80s went on, she softened her stand and in the later years she would ALWAYS speak only of the good times, and as Desi got sick, she became more kind in interviews....

they did truly love one another, and it showed, but there was a lot of anger and hurt

I always felt bad for Gary. He had to live in Desi's shadow and I am sure he truly loved Lucy also.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Lamont

Well both of you are right

Back in the 1970s and early 80/81 Lucy sometimes spoke Harshly of Desi and was often rude in interviews about him, she always stressed that they were still close and all, but she did refer to him as a drunk and a loser and could be strong with her words

HOWEVER, as the 80s went on, she softened her stand and in the later years she would ALWAYS speak only of the good times, and as Desi got sick, she became more kind in interviews....

they did truly love one another, and it showed, but there was a lot of anger and hurt

I always felt bad for Gary. He had to live in Desi's shadow and I am sure he truly loved Lucy also.

Thank you Lamont. It goes without saying when there is alot of anger and resentment, it will easily be noticed. Her marriage to him reminds me of how I was with my ex-husband. Nothing but bad mouthing him, negative comments. but as the years went by and he made a better place in his heart for change, I say nothing but good things. I now say he was a good husband. He wasn't always, but he wasn't ALWAYS BAD EITHER. I know Lucy was the same way with Desi. Of course she divorced him because of all the crap he did to her. But when you divorce, sometimes as the years go on and you have kids together, you put behind you all that anger because it's a great burden to carry. She did right by remembering the good times and remembering what attracted him to her to begin with. They had children together and their love never died. They divorced, but the love was still there. Why else would she be angry after the divorce? Because when you love someone and they hurt you, you become angry.

[NOVARick]

No, it sounds like we're talking about the same Lucy, now that you've given more complete quotes and the context in which they were made: "Desi was a great husband when he wasn't philandering, drinking, etc." That's completely different than just saying he was a great husband. As for those other times you cite when she said he was a good husband, I remember her saying something to that effect around or after his death, but got the sense she was referring to his marriage to Edie, not her own. Again, if she really thought he was a great husband she wouldn't have divorced him. If she was madly in love with the man (and she was) why would she divorce him if he were being a great husband to her?

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

then you and I seen two different Lucy's. I am here in Southern California and she did alot of local talk shows here. On KTTV which is now FOX they always had Lucy marathons on her birthday and once she was in the studio talking abt her days with Desi. All the other times they had her on the phone in the studio and just talking abt I Love Lucy and she would talk abt the hilarious stuff that true Lucy fans wouldn't know. She talked abt backstage stuff, how certain scenes were done, etc. When she appeared on this local talk show she stated that Desi WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, when he wasn't philandering, drinking, etc. She said he was attentive to her, was romantic, made her feel like the only lady in the world that deserved this love. Someone can be a great person and still do rotten things. I think this is what she was saying when she made the statement DESI WAS A GREAT HUSBAND. One time she even said, he was a great husband, just ask his new wife...that was funny, because it was true but also points out how much they still cared for each other and how they remained friends.

When Desi passed away and they had the funeral services, the media was there and one of our LOCAL GUYS asked Lucy to say a few words abt Desi. Again she stated: HE WAS A GREAT HUSBAND, FATHER, A SMART MAN, A MAN WHO STILL DESERVES HIS DUE FROM HOLLYWOOD FOR HIS WORK BEHIND THE CAMERA, ETC. I watched this and remember it to this day because she was trying to keep from crying. My ex-husband even said at that time "Why is she saying he was a great husband and she divorced him"? I explained to him what I am saying to you now.
And I remember when they said "back to you in the studio" the newspeople on the set were just talking abt how Lucy, to this day, still says wonderful things abt Desi. So, that is how I know. I am from southern California and Lucy did alot of appearances and phone-in stuff for alot of stations here that didn't televise to the entire nation.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by NOVARick

No, it sounds like we're talking about the same Lucy, now that you've given more complete quotes and the context in which they were made: "Desi was a great husband when he wasn't philandering, drinking, etc." That's completely different than just saying he was a great husband. As for those other times you cite when she said he was a good husband, I remember her saying something to that effect around or after his death, but got the sense she was referring to his marriage to Edie, not her own. Again, if she really thought he was a great husband she wouldn't have divorced him. If she was madly in love with the man (and she was) why would she divorce him if he were being a great husband to her?

Oh pleeeeze. She said the words GREAT HUSBAND without referring to his philandering many times. The whole world knew abt his cheating and drinking, it wasn't no secret. Why would she feel the need to repeat what we, the world, already know? We knew what she meant. I have heard many a people state their ex is great, or was great. doesn't mean they want to be married to them. Lucy was already married to Gary. You are just nitpicking at the statements. Lucy said desi was a great husband, I heard her say it many times without adding the cheating and drinking references. I think my ex-husband was a great husband, doesn't mean I want him back. I have a new life. You think that Lucy would really stay with Desi just because he was a great husband SOME OF THE TIME? or when he wasn't drinking? Or when he wasn't cheating? He was a great husband in her eyes and she loved him til the end. She also loved herself enough to want to find someone who wouldn't give her the grief Desi did at times.
So, I know what Lucy said, and I know others did too. I know when she made those appearances here and phone-in interviews and made those statements, she made them loud and clear. There was no doubt at all.

[NOVARick]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Oh pleeeeze. She said the words GREAT HUSBAND without referring to his philandering many times. The whole world knew abt his cheating and drinking, it wasn't no secret. Why would she feel the need to repeat what we, the world, already know? We knew what she meant. I have heard many a people state their ex is great, or was great. doesn't mean they want to be married to them. Lucy was already married to Gary. You are just nitpicking at the statements. Lucy said desi was a great husband, I heard her say it many times without adding the cheating and drinking references. I think my ex-husband was a great husband, doesn't mean I want him back. I have a new life. You think that Lucy would really stay with Desi just because he was a great husband SOME OF THE TIME? or when he wasn't drinking? Or when he wasn't cheating? He was a great husband in her eyes and she loved him til the end. She also loved herself enough to want to find someone who wouldn't give her the grief Desi did at times.
So, I know what Lucy said, and I know others did too. I know when she made those appearances here and phone-in interviews and made those statements, she made them loud and clear. There was no doubt at all.

I'm nitpicking? My original comment was in response to your statement that Lucille Ball said Desi Arnaz was a wonderful husband. You've since qualified hat with "great husband some of the time" and "great husband when he wasn't cheating or drinking." If she ever referred to him as a great husband without those qualifiers, I would have to know the context of the comment because I saw her interviewed many times about Desi. She was always respectful of him to a certain degree, but it was always clear that she had been badly hurt and felt that he had wrecked their marriage (though she had a hand in that as well). That doesn't jibe with being a great husband, but may jibe with being a great husband SOME of the time.