Martin Short Caught Up In Mid-Air Argument With Lucille Ball - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-17-2008, 05:36 PM

Actor Martin Short was once involved in a mid-air argument with Lucille Ball, after the legendary actress accused him of repeatedly kicking her seat.

Short and his friend were amazed when Ball and her manager sat in front of them in first class on a flight between New York and Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.

But Short, who starred on SCTV at the time, was shocked when Ball started to complain about his behavior, resulting in his being asked to move to business class.

He says, "About 20 minutes into the flight she gets up - I'm sat behind her - and turns around and says, 'Excuse me.' And I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, Lucille Ball's recognized me.' She goes, 'You've kicked the back of my seat about three times. Will you stop doing that. Thanks.' So I don't get it. Then about 15 minutes later she gets up and says, 'Look. I asked you nice before and I'm going to ask you again - stop kicking the back of my seat.' I've done nothing. I didn't know what was going on. About 15 minutes later after that, the stewardess comes up and says, 'I've been asked by someone on the plane if you two (Short and his friend) would keep it down a little bit.'

"So I, trying to make my point, say, 'I know where that's coming from, it's coming from the couple in front and they've been obnoxious since the start of this flight.' At which point Lucille gets up again and says, 'Look, you kicked the back of my chair 15 times...' And I was scared; this is not the Lucille I knew. So I said, pointing at her, 'You're a sick lady,' or something like that. She looked at me and went, 'Barry!' And the guy with her came up and said, 'What are you pointing at little boy?' And he grabbed at my finger. The stewardess came up and suggested - it was a packed first class - that we move into business."

Ball died in 1989 aged 77.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

JaneTVFan · 02-17-2008, 07:09 PM

You provide no attributions for this story, written nearly 19 years after Lucille Ball's death -- long after she has had the ability to respond with her side of the story, or sue if this is a fabrication. What tabloid are you sourcing for this story? Are you just rumor-mongering, or can you prove this was already written about before she died when she had a chance to respond? Are there are other witnesses?

I hate when people kick the back of my seat.

Brian Damage · 02-17-2008, 07:22 PM

Be patient my child...

I always have links and proof to my stories...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZeK2OPcsFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsH0O8NuEDo

JaneTVFan · 02-17-2008, 07:38 PM

Oh, I'm sooo sure you were planning to provide these links before I wrote that.

Curiously, this part of the Conan interview was omitted from the gossipy tabloid story you posted awhile ago: "Since then, Dick has acknowledged we were loud and she was right."

And you haven't demonstrated this story was ever made public while she was still alive, not that it matters now that Martin is indicating "she was right" and he was wrong. I get the feeling you were just trying to show us Lucy was a bitch? Well I'm a bitch, too, so be careful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Be patient my child...

I always have links and proof to my stories...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZeK2OPcsFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsH0O8NuEDo

Brian Damage · 02-17-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneTVFan

Well I'm a bitch, too, so be careful.

Zoneboy · 02-17-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneTVFan

Well I'm a bitch, too, so be careful.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rhfiiGGy7Ls

JaneTVFan · 02-17-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rhfiiGGy7Ls

Oh good, my theme song. Thanks.

Janice · 02-18-2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Be afraid, be very afraid.

That story is a riot Brian!

Not surprising at all either. I heard that Lucy could be a real bitch. Martin Short didn't retract his story either. When he said what did Dick said, he then laughed and said, "Not really, I was just trying to soften the story because Lucy's gone. She must have been having a bad day." He also demonstrated how it would have been impossible to kick the back of her chair. As if Martin Short has nothing better to do than to make up stories about Lucy acting like a maniac on a plane.

Thanks for the story, the link and the youtube clip. Lots of laughs.

Brian Damage · 02-18-2008, 01:27 AM

What do you expect from a woman who wouldn't even acknowledge her own flesh and blood. Denying her own grandchild her birthright and place within her family. The best day of that girl's life was the day that Grandma died.

JaneTVFan · 02-18-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Be afraid, be very afraid.

That story is a riot Brian!

Not surprising at all either. I heard that Lucy could be a real bitch. Martin Short didn't retract his story either. When he said what did Dick said, he then laughed and said, "Not really, I was just trying to soften the story because Lucy's gone. She must have been having a bad day." He also demonstrated how it would have been impossible to kick the back of her chair. As if Martin Short has nothing better to do than to make up stories about Lucy acting like a maniac on a plane.

Thanks for the story, the link and the youtube clip. Lots of laughs.

Well it's not that clear that's what he meant because he said a lot of other stuff in between. But as I said, show me where this story ever came out while she was alive and had an opportunity to respond. Lucy was fearless and never afraid to speak her mind, but I don't think she would waste her breath complaining about someone unless they were annoying her. Maybe she would, but I'd like to hear her side of the story first. But since it's coming up almost 19 years after she died, that's kind of impossible.

Janice · 02-18-2008, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneTVFan

Well it's not that clear that's what he meant because he said a lot of other stuff in between. But as I said, show me where this story ever came out while she was alive and had an opportunity to respond. Lucy was fearless and never afraid to speak her mind, but I don't think she would waste her breath complaining about someone unless they were annoying her. Maybe she would, but I'd like to hear her side of the story first. But since it's coming up almost 19 years after she died, that's kind of impossible.

You can think it never happened. Suit yourself. I believe Martin Short. I doubt he'd make it up. Lots of stories come out after people die. Books are written. Had this been a sweet story, you'd probably love it. It's no secret that Lucy wasn't the nicest person going. Even most of her diehard fans don't deny that. As she got older, YIKES, look out.

JaneTVFan · 02-18-2008, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

You can think it never happened. Suit yourself. I believe Martin Short. I doubt he'd make it up. Lots of stories come out after people die. Books are written. Had this been a sweet story, you'd probably love it. It's no secret that Lucy wasn't the nicest person going. Even most of her diehard fans don't deny that. As she got older, YIKES, look out.

I didn't say I didn't believe him. It's hard to determine where he's drawing the line between being serious and funny. FYI, the reason salacious books so often come out after the subject dies is because dead people can't sue!

Janice · 02-18-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneTVFan

I didn't say I didn't believe him. It's hard to determine where he's drawing the line between being serious and funny. FYI, the reason salacious books so often come out after the subject dies is because dead people can't sue!

I do believe Short, and it doesn't matter to me if you believe him, or not. I had no problem determining when Short was serious or kidding. He told the story in a humorous manner, but it was crystal clear that it happened. I've never had comprehension issues.

Too funny, you threaten Brian and tell him to "be careful". What are you going to do, TYPE him to death?

Nice signature you have going on. Did you whip that up for this discussion, or you are on a crusade against gossip in general?

Got anything from the bible about turning your own family away? I suppose if I looked over your prior posts, which I couldn't be bothered, I wouldn't find one post where you gossiped about a celebrity.

Ireneparalegal · 02-18-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

You can think it never happened. Suit yourself. I believe Martin Short. I doubt he'd make it up. Lots of stories come out after people die. Books are written. Had this been a sweet story, you'd probably love it. It's no secret that Lucy wasn't the nicest person going. Even most of her diehard fans don't deny that. As she got older, YIKES, look out.

I agree. Whether it was just the plain fact she was a bitch or just not too tactful abt speaking her mind and her peace. Sometimes you have to wonder though, at what line is it considered a bitch and when is it considered speaking your mind? I sure as heck wouldn't want the back of my chair kicked. Bad enough when a child does it, can you imagine an adult?

I am sure many of the ladies here on the board have had to speak their mind WHEN WE WERE NOT BEING LISTENED TO!!!!

And in those people's minds, we might be bitches. Oh well, call me a bitch then.

But I always get what I ask for.

Back to Lucy, I guess in her era, speaking her mind and asking for what she wanted, it was unheard of for a woman to be strong-willed. She probably had to speak her mind many times (to men) and it got to the point where she couldn't be nice abt it anymore since being nice doesn't always get you what you ask for. And getting older I am sure Lucy was not an easy person to deal with, from what I have read and heard. YIKES INDEED!!!!!

Janice · 02-18-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I agree. Whether it was just the plain fact she was a bitch or just not too tactful abt speaking her mind and her peace. Sometimes you have to wonder though, at what line is it considered a bitch and when is it considered speaking your mind? I sure as heck wouldn't want the back of my chair kicked. Bad enough when a child does it, can you imagine an adult?

I am sure many of the ladies here on the board have had to speak their mind WHEN WE WERE NOT BEING LISTENED TO!!!!

And in those people's minds, we might be bitches. Oh well, call me a bitch then.

But I always get what I ask for.

Back to Lucy, I guess in her era, speaking her mind and asking for what she wanted, it was unheard of for a woman to be strong-willed. She probably had to speak her mind many times (to men) and it got to the point where she couldn't be nice abt it anymore since being nice doesn't always get you what you ask for. And getting older I am sure Lucy was not an easy person to deal with, from what I have read and heard. YIKES INDEED!!!!!

I agree for the most part, Irene; however, Martin Short demonstrated that it would have been impossible for him to kick her chair. She did have them removed too. I think Lucy was difficult throughout her life, then turned into a shrew at the end. That's what happens to some of these older, formerly pretty stars. They need to know that they're still powerful enough to throw their weight around. I think Lucy died an unhappy woman. She lost Desi decades before, and I don't think she ever got over him or his death. She aged terribly, and Gary spent more time with his 7-iron than with her, and who knows what else she was dealing with in her mind.
She may have recognized Short, had a few drinks in her, and decided to show him who's boss. I can't think of another reason why she would do that to him. I've seen it all though, through the years. People can be real creeps.

02-17-2008, 05:36 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Martin Short Caught Up In Mid-Air Argument With Lucille Ball Actor Martin Short was once involved in a mid-air argument with Lucille Ball, after the legendary actress accused him of repeatedly kicking her seat. Short and his friend were amazed when Ball and her manager sat in front of them in first class on a flight between New York and Los Angeles in the mid-1980s. But Short, who starred on SCTV at the time, was shocked when Ball started to complain about his behavior, resulting in his being asked to move to business class. He says, "About 20 minutes into the flight she gets up - I'm sat behind her - and turns around and says, 'Excuse me.' And I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, Lucille Ball's recognized me.' She goes, 'You've kicked the back of my seat about three times. Will you stop doing that. Thanks.' So I don't get it. Then about 15 minutes later she gets up and says, 'Look. I asked you nice before and I'm going to ask you again - stop kicking the back of my seat.' I've done nothing. I didn't know what was going on. About 15 minutes later after that, the stewardess comes up and says, 'I've been asked by someone on the plane if you two (Short and his friend) would keep it down a little bit.' "So I, trying to make my point, say, 'I know where that's coming from, it's coming from the couple in front and they've been obnoxious since the start of this flight.' At which point Lucille gets up again and says, 'Look, you kicked the back of my chair 15 times...' And I was scared; this is not the Lucille I knew. So I said, pointing at her, 'You're a sick lady,' or something like that. She looked at me and went, 'Barry!' And the guy with her came up and said, 'What are you pointing at little boy?' And he grabbed at my finger. The stewardess came up and suggested - it was a packed first class - that we move into business." Ball died in 1989 aged 77. (This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-17-2008, 07:09 PM	#2
JaneTVFan Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 06, 2001 Posts: 641	You provide no attributions for this story, written nearly 19 years after Lucille Ball's death -- long after she has had the ability to respond with her side of the story, or sue if this is a fabrication. What tabloid are you sourcing for this story? Are you just rumor-mongering, or can you prove this was already written about before she died when she had a chance to respond? Are there are other witnesses? I hate when people kick the back of my seat.

02-17-2008, 07:22 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Be patient my child... I always have links and proof to my stories... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZeK2OPcsFc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsH0O8NuEDo

02-18-2008, 01:27 AM	#9
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	What do you expect from a woman who wouldn't even acknowledge her own flesh and blood. Denying her own grandchild her birthright and place within her family. The best day of that girl's life was the day that Grandma died.