Is it true that the Christmas episode was aired in color? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MamasFamilyFan · 12-08-2001, 02:25 PM

HEY everyone, I had read somewhere that the I Love Lucy Christmas episode was never a part of the series, and was shown in the 1990s- is that true? it also said that it aired two times, and the second time was in a color version... does anyone know if this could have been true?
PS- I MISS LUCY SO MUCH, AND I WISH NICKATNITE OR SOME OTHER STATION (OTHER THAN TVLAND) COULD BRING IT BACK!

LucyFan · 12-08-2001, 11:05 PM

Yes, it is true. CBS aired a color version of the "I Love Lucy" christmas special back in the 90's. I even have it on tape.

Barnabas1 · 12-09-2001, 08:35 AM

Really?????????????????

Chelsea · 12-09-2001, 03:24 PM

WHAT??? THis surprises me............

Kristina · 12-09-2001, 03:59 PM

I hope they re-play it!

RWCTV · 12-10-2001, 02:44 AM

I know that CBS aired the program in 1989 and there was no other landmark airing noted according to the books. Was it colorized well? Also every year in my area, they release the Christmas special on video. Do you think that TVLAND will air one of them in color and one of them in black and white? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

boymisfit · 12-11-2001, 12:14 PM

Yep, the year after CBS showed the Christmas special, they aired it again, but in color. It looks wonderful. I have it on tape and watched it a few days ago. I hope they replay it again somewhere so you can see it!

TV Guy · 12-11-2001, 09:57 PM

I remember seeing it, and I thought the colors were a bit strong. I turned down the color on my TV a bit, and it looked terrific. Strange that it's never been seen again in color.

RWCTV · 12-12-2001, 08:54 AM

I always wanted to see Lucy in color. In fact did you notice that the later episodes of I Love Lucy were so dark and crisp that you wonder why they weren't made in color? In the late 50's, the later Superman episodes were made in color, and then aired in black and white. I wonder if that could be the case here. Do you think they would ever let us know for sure?

TV Guy · 12-13-2001, 12:43 AM

Yeah, unfortunately, they were made in black-and-white, even though there had been some discussion about converting the show to color. They ultimately decided that they couldn't work the color conversion into the budget. There's a quote somewhere, from either Jess Oppenheimer or some CBS executive, where they say something like "'Lucy' is just as funny in black-and-white. Color isn't necessary for sitcoms".

The second and third seasons of "The Lucy Show" were, like "Superman", filmed in color but originally broadcast in B&W, because Desilu knew that filming in color would make the reruns more valuable in syndication later on.

12-08-2001, 02:25 PM	#1
MamasFamilyFan Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 32	Is it true that the Christmas episode was aired in color? HEY everyone, I had read somewhere that the I Love Lucy Christmas episode was never a part of the series, and was shown in the 1990s- is that true? it also said that it aired two times, and the second time was in a color version... does anyone know if this could have been true? PS- I MISS LUCY SO MUCH, AND I WISH NICKATNITE OR SOME OTHER STATION (OTHER THAN TVLAND) COULD BRING IT BACK!

12-09-2001, 08:35 AM	#3
Barnabas1 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 4,598	Really?????????????????
	__________________ My favorite shows :: I Love Lucy, Dark Shadows, Leave it to Beaver, The Munsters, Chico and the Man, and Get Smart. Formerly Babalu and agsfan

12-09-2001, 03:24 PM	#4
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	WHAT??? THis surprises me............
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

12-10-2001, 02:44 AM	#6
RWCTV Making Sense Senior Member Join Date: Sep 21, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL USA Posts: 1,138	I know that CBS aired the program in 1989 and there was no other landmark airing noted according to the books. Was it colorized well? Also every year in my area, they release the Christmas special on video. Do you think that TVLAND will air one of them in color and one of them in black and white? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
	__________________ Rob W. Case Do you desire to know about the topics that help you and hurt you in society? Whether it is Government, religious discussion, psychology, and health, we have it all! http://makingsense.proboards.com/ Stop in, get informed, or debate the issues. If you have something to say, this is the place. Hope that you'll join us! See you there!!!

12-08-2001, 11:05 PM	#2
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Yes, it is true. CBS aired a color version of the "I Love Lucy" christmas special back in the 90's. I even have it on tape.

12-09-2001, 03:59 PM	#5
Kristina Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 27, 2001 Location: CaLiFoRnIa, UsA Posts: 8,890	I hope they re-play it!

12-11-2001, 12:14 PM	#7
boymisfit Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 06, 2001 Location: NYC, NY Posts: 8	Yep, the year after CBS showed the Christmas special, they aired it again, but in color. It looks wonderful. I have it on tape and watched it a few days ago. I hope they replay it again somewhere so you can see it!

12-11-2001, 09:57 PM	#8
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I remember seeing it, and I thought the colors were a bit strong. I turned down the color on my TV a bit, and it looked terrific. Strange that it's never been seen again in color.

12-12-2001, 08:54 AM	#9
RWCTV Making Sense Senior Member Join Date: Sep 21, 2001 Location: Lockport, IL USA Posts: 1,138	I always wanted to see Lucy in color. In fact did you notice that the later episodes of I Love Lucy were so dark and crisp that you wonder why they weren't made in color? In the late 50's, the later Superman episodes were made in color, and then aired in black and white. I wonder if that could be the case here. Do you think they would ever let us know for sure?

12-13-2001, 12:43 AM	#10
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Yeah, unfortunately, they were made in black-and-white, even though there had been some discussion about converting the show to color. They ultimately decided that they couldn't work the color conversion into the budget. There's a quote somewhere, from either Jess Oppenheimer or some CBS executive, where they say something like "'Lucy' is just as funny in black-and-white. Color isn't necessary for sitcoms". The second and third seasons of "The Lucy Show" were, like "Superman", filmed in color but originally broadcast in B&W, because Desilu knew that filming in color would make the reruns more valuable in syndication later on.