Who Made the Better Career Move Post "ILL" - Fred or Ethel? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 09-27-2008, 05:57 PM

After "I Love Lucy" ended, William Frawley became Bub on "My Three Sons." While Vivian Vance teamed with Lucille Ball again for "The Lucy Show."

I say William Frawley. He has two different roles with two completely different casts. While Vivian also had two different roles, she was still playing sidekick to Lucy.

Haunted_Armoire · 09-27-2008, 08:21 PM

I think Viv had a much better time. Poor Old Bill was basically circling the drain health-wise after "Lucy". I don't think he got much work after "I Love Lucy" was over. Viv also was very picky about working. She only did it if she felt up to it. She had a safe place to go to after "I Love Lucy" so I think she made out much better than Bill.

Larry Surrell · 09-27-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haunted_Armoire

Poor Old Bill was basically circling the drain health-wise after "Lucy".

Your description of Bill Frawley's health issues made me laugh out loud!

Mr. Television · 09-27-2008, 08:47 PM

I think they both made out about the same. Both starred in new hit series but both left those shows before they ended. Vivian then continued to make guest appearances as Viv on Here's Lucy and Bill of course died after making his last appearance on The Lucy Show.

Lodee · 09-28-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

After "I Love Lucy" ended, William Frawley became Bub on "My Three Sons." While Vivian Vance teamed with Lucille Ball again for "The Lucy Show."

I say William Frawley. He has two different roles with two completely different casts. While Vivian also had two different roles, she was still playing sidekick to Lucy.

Yeah, me too. I think getting a role in a hit series playing a completely different character is impressive. How can anyone consider that not much work?

Adamantium · 09-28-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lodee

Yeah, me too. I think getting a role in a hit series playing a completely different character is impressive. How can anyone consider that not much work?

I've mentioned it before, but as a kid I saw "My Three Sons" before I saw "I Love Lucy." So to me, William Frawley was Bub first and Fred second. Over the years I've seen "I Love Lucy" MANY more times than "My Three Sons", a show I haven't seen in about a decade or longer. So it will be a little weird seeing Frawley as Bub again (when I get the DVD this week).

Hughsgirl · 09-28-2008, 06:50 PM

I think Viv made a better career move with working with Lucy again. Sidekick or not, it worked for her. Someone mentioned that Viv was picky about when she worked and I think it may have been because she may have already been ill, whether or not she was diagnosed with the Cancer then or not.

Haunted_Armoire · 09-28-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I've mentioned it before, but as a kid I saw "My Three Sons" before I saw "I Love Lucy." So to me, William Frawley was Bub first and Fred second. Over the years I've seen "I Love Lucy" MANY more times than "My Three Sons", a show I haven't seen in about a decade or longer. So it will be a little weird seeing Frawley as Bub again (when I get the DVD this week).

Bill had such an fantastic career and was always in demand for millions of character parts. When he left "I Love Lucy" I thihnk he was just plain typecast. That and his poor health prevented him from being snapped up after "My Three Sons" fired him. The insurance co's just could not take him on. Too much risk. Of course we know he died not long after.

Adamantium · 09-29-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

I think Viv made a better career move with working with Lucy again. Sidekick or not, it worked for her.

"The Lucy Show" was better because Vivian was involved with it. And I'm not trying to put her down for doing the show in any way. In fact, my grandma couldn't stand Desi Arnaz, so she preferred to watch "The Lucy Show" over "I Love Lucy."

I guess what I'm saying is that it's more likely that William Frawley could have two separate fan bases. Ones that loved "I Love Lucy" and others that loved "My Three Sons." And fans of "Lucy" didn't have to be fans of "Sons" and the other way around.

In the end, I like both of their choices. Both "The Lucy Show" and "My Three Sons" are great shows.

Marvo301 · 09-29-2008, 05:43 PM

The best decision they both made was to go their separate ways after I love Lucy. Apparently they were offered a Fred and Ethel spinoff. But considering all the stories we've heard about them not liking each other (especially Viv not liking Bill) it was for the best that took different career paths post Lucy.

Haunted_Armoire · 09-29-2008, 07:32 PM

In spite of their dilike of each other, Viv and Bill did make personal appearances together after "I Love Lucy" folded up. But all in all Viv was easier to cast. She even made coffee commericals and was considered for a permanent roll on the "Rhoda" show but she was already sick with cancer.

comedyfreak · 10-14-2008, 08:49 AM

I'll go along with both having made good decisions post ILL. I think more people would identify Bill more with ILL instead of Sons because, Sons first 5 seasons weren't played in syndication like ILL was. I didn't know Bill was on sons until the show was first shown on TVLand in the 90's. Prior to this I've only seen the color episodes in syndication so I was use to seeing Uncle Charlie and there was no mention of eldest son Mike.

lilwhop · 10-14-2008, 03:49 PM

Does anyone know who the person was who played a waiter who was featured in maybe the Lucy Shows in the 50's - 60's from that period who after one of the other actors would say a line to him he would reply..."yessssssssssss"? Also was he the same waiter who would take the plam of his hand and strike his open mouth to make a pop sound?

Any help would be appreciated.

lilwhop

comedyfreak · 10-15-2008, 04:14 AM

I can picture him, but don't know his name. He's not the same guy who would take the palm of his hand and strike his open mouth to make a pop sound that was someone else his name was Fritz Feld or something like that.

Janice · 12-08-2008, 03:23 AM

I think William Frawley made out better. Vivian had more of the same, while My Three Sons was a totally different show, and role for him.

09-27-2008, 05:57 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	Who Made the Better Career Move Post "ILL" - Fred or Ethel? After "I Love Lucy" ended, William Frawley became Bub on "My Three Sons." While Vivian Vance teamed with Lucille Ball again for "The Lucy Show." I say William Frawley. He has two different roles with two completely different casts. While Vivian also had two different roles, she was still playing sidekick to Lucy.

09-27-2008, 08:47 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I think they both made out about the same. Both starred in new hit series but both left those shows before they ended. Vivian then continued to make guest appearances as Viv on Here's Lucy and Bill of course died after making his last appearance on The Lucy Show.
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09-29-2008, 05:43 PM	#10
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The best decision they both made was to go their separate ways after I love Lucy. Apparently they were offered a Fred and Ethel spinoff. But considering all the stories we've heard about them not liking each other (especially Viv not liking Bill) it was for the best that took different career paths post Lucy.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-14-2008, 08:49 AM	#12
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I'll go along with both having made good decisions post ILL. I think more people would identify Bill more with ILL instead of Sons because, Sons first 5 seasons weren't played in syndication like ILL was. I didn't know Bill was on sons until the show was first shown on TVLand in the 90's. Prior to this I've only seen the color episodes in syndication so I was use to seeing Uncle Charlie and there was no mention of eldest son Mike.
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09-27-2008, 08:21 PM	#2
Haunted_Armoire Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 293	I think Viv had a much better time. Poor Old Bill was basically circling the drain health-wise after "Lucy". I don't think he got much work after "I Love Lucy" was over. Viv also was very picky about working. She only did it if she felt up to it. She had a safe place to go to after "I Love Lucy" so I think she made out much better than Bill.

09-28-2008, 06:50 PM	#7
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	I think Viv made a better career move with working with Lucy again. Sidekick or not, it worked for her. Someone mentioned that Viv was picky about when she worked and I think it may have been because she may have already been ill, whether or not she was diagnosed with the Cancer then or not.

09-29-2008, 07:32 PM	#11
Haunted_Armoire Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 293	In spite of their dilike of each other, Viv and Bill did make personal appearances together after "I Love Lucy" folded up. But all in all Viv was easier to cast. She even made coffee commericals and was considered for a permanent roll on the "Rhoda" show but she was already sick with cancer.

10-14-2008, 03:49 PM	#13
lilwhop Member Forum Cub Join Date: Oct 14, 2008 Posts: 2	Does anyone know who the person was who played a waiter who was featured in maybe the Lucy Shows in the 50's - 60's from that period who after one of the other actors would say a line to him he would reply..."yessssssssssss"? Also was he the same waiter who would take the plam of his hand and strike his open mouth to make a pop sound? Any help would be appreciated. lilwhop

10-15-2008, 04:14 AM	#14
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I can picture him, but don't know his name. He's not the same guy who would take the palm of his hand and strike his open mouth to make a pop sound that was someone else his name was Fritz Feld or something like that.

12-08-2008, 03:23 AM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I think William Frawley made out better. Vivian had more of the same, while My Three Sons was a totally different show, and role for him.