Guestward Ho! "Pilot" Starring Vivian Vance - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Benno123 · 05-02-2008, 08:17 PM

I am just curious if anyone has seen Vivian's 1959 pilot for Guestward Ho! that she filmed, or if it even exists still. I'd love to see it or find a copy of it since I love Vivian so much, but like I said I was just curious if any Lucy fans know much about the pilot. (It seems to me to be one of those missing pieces of the Lucy puzzle that gets just a paragraph or two and passed on to something else.)

Jude The Obscure · 05-02-2008, 08:23 PM

If this was a Desilu production, chances are, it still exists in a vault. Vivian was commented on being uneasy on starring solo on a show--she knew only how to react to Lucy's antics and therefore her performance here was stiff, not natural ala Ethel or Viv Bagley. That's a major reason why this never went to series with Viv as the star.

Benno123 · 05-02-2008, 08:36 PM

Maybe I should stick a message on the trader forum and see if anyone has it out there. I did that a few years ago but no replies, though I did learn of another pilot that Vivian did called Sam.

SPLAIN · 05-05-2008, 02:25 PM

I doubt it still exists, as it was remade with another actress, i forget her name but everybody knows Viv herself admitted she just could not handle the chores of shooting as the lead actress and carry the whole show, her nerves just could not handle it, such a shame for such a gifted actress. Of course being married to that louse Phil Ober took it's toll, he took her down to the bottom with his taunts and even beating her at one point. When she showed up with a black eye, Lucy told Viv either you divorce him or I will. Sort of makes you wonder what would have happened if she had done that spin off with Bill that Desi wanted them to do and offered.

70s show watcher · 05-22-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLAIN

I doubt it still exists, as it was remade with another actress, i forget her name but everybody knows Viv herself admitted she just could not handle the chores of shooting as the lead actress and carry the whole show, her nerves just could not handle it, such a shame for such a gifted actress. Of course being married to that louse Phil Ober took it's toll, he took her down to the bottom with his taunts and even beating her at one point. When she showed up with a black eye, Lucy told Viv either you divorce him or I will. Sort of makes you wonder what would have happened if she had done that spin off with Bill that Desi wanted them to do and offered.

the other actress was joanne dru and the 1 ep of the show i saw was very bland im not sure even viv could have made the show overcome its blandness

Benno123 · 05-24-2008, 05:45 PM

I think the original pilot with Vivian probably does exist somewhere, but where is the question. Remember, the I Love Lucy movie was missing for close to 50 years, so I'm sure Guestward Ho! survives as well!

opus · 10-14-2025, 05:29 PM

The opening credits exist. I'm surprised Leif Erickson was in it. This must have been after his Norse exploring days.

https://youtu.be/ZpvPiUpATe8?si=7rY39dHwHp0GAXeD

Howard · 10-19-2025, 05:04 PM

As a Vivian Vance fan I do know the show went ahead with someone else in the lead and it lasted only one season. Not sure if she ever filmed a pilot for this.

05-02-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	Guestward Ho! "Pilot" Starring Vivian Vance I am just curious if anyone has seen Vivian's 1959 pilot for Guestward Ho! that she filmed, or if it even exists still. I'd love to see it or find a copy of it since I love Vivian so much, but like I said I was just curious if any Lucy fans know much about the pilot. (It seems to me to be one of those missing pieces of the Lucy puzzle that gets just a paragraph or two and passed on to something else.)

05-02-2008, 08:23 PM	#2
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	If this was a Desilu production, chances are, it still exists in a vault. Vivian was commented on being uneasy on starring solo on a show--she knew only how to react to Lucy's antics and therefore her performance here was stiff, not natural ala Ethel or Viv Bagley. That's a major reason why this never went to series with Viv as the star.

05-02-2008, 08:36 PM	#3
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	Maybe I should stick a message on the trader forum and see if anyone has it out there. I did that a few years ago but no replies, though I did learn of another pilot that Vivian did called Sam.

05-05-2008, 02:25 PM	#4
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	I doubt it still exists, as it was remade with another actress, i forget her name but everybody knows Viv herself admitted she just could not handle the chores of shooting as the lead actress and carry the whole show, her nerves just could not handle it, such a shame for such a gifted actress. Of course being married to that louse Phil Ober took it's toll, he took her down to the bottom with his taunts and even beating her at one point. When she showed up with a black eye, Lucy told Viv either you divorce him or I will. Sort of makes you wonder what would have happened if she had done that spin off with Bill that Desi wanted them to do and offered.

05-24-2008, 05:45 PM	#6
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	I think the original pilot with Vivian probably does exist somewhere, but where is the question. Remember, the I Love Lucy movie was missing for close to 50 years, so I'm sure Guestward Ho! survives as well!

10-14-2025, 05:29 PM	#7
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,061	The opening credits exist. I'm surprised Leif Erickson was in it. This must have been after his Norse exploring days. https://youtu.be/ZpvPiUpATe8?si=7rY39dHwHp0GAXeD

10-19-2025, 05:04 PM	#8
Howard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 23, 2003 Posts: 238	As a Vivian Vance fan I do know the show went ahead with someone else in the lead and it lasted only one season. Not sure if she ever filmed a pilot for this.