Vivian Vance Quits "Lucy"

[LittleRickyII]

The public has learned by the start of 1965 that Vivian Vance is leaving The Lucy Show (rumors to that effect had been around since the summer of 1964):

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

Lucy goes to New York in the spring of 1965 and tries to persuade Vivian to stay:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

Vivian stands firm on her decision to leave the show:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

And check the last paragraph in the article from June 1965. Rumor had it that Vivian Vance would have returned to The Lucy Show if Lucy had given her a percentage interest in the series. I so wish Lucy had consented to that. Vivian deserved it!

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

Lucille Ball says you can't replace Vivian Vance:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

As early as January 1965, rumors swirl that Ann Sothern will replace Vivian Vance on The Lucy Show:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

As early as late May 1965, the public begins learning details about the new format for The Lucy Show: Viv will get married and move out, Chris will go to college in California, "and to be near her, the redhead moves West and puts her son in a military school":

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

Lucy says she'll miss Vivian Vance, but has signed a number of guest stars to help her launch the new version of her show:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ucy+show&hl=en

The new version of The Lucy Show makes its debut:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ucy+show&hl=en

Upon the debut episode of the new format in September 1965, a reviewer writes that the new show is "a slow starter with Vivian Vance absent and definitely missed":

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

Some critics apparently predicted The Lucy Show would fall in the ratings and "confounding" their expectations, a month into the new season it continues to do well in the Nielsens:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ucy+show&hl=en

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ucy+show&hl=en

Now free from The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance happily returns to the stage in late 1965:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...ucy+show&hl=en

Lucy's busy career in television continues on without Vivian Vance as her sidekick:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id...an+vance&hl=en

[Marvo301]

It's too bad that since Vivian decided to leave the show Candy Moore, Jimmy Garrett, and Ralph Hart ended up without jobs as well.

[comedyfreak]

Very disappointing but I guess she needed to do what she felt she had to.