Vivian Vance and Gale Gordon Season 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

lucyandethel · 07-19-2010, 10:02 AM

So, I just finished watching The Lucy Show Season 2. LOVE it! So many great shows and fond memories. But I have a question: Had Vivian Vance already expressed her interest to leave the show at this point? It seems in this season, the vibe is that Vance is relegated to a lesser role while Gale Gordon is allowed to shine much more. Maybe it is just because I know she ultimately left the next year, but in this season, her role seems much different than in Season 1.

MichaelKeith · 07-19-2010, 01:59 PM

You're right that G. Gordon had quite a large role this season. But I still think Vivian Vance played a pivotal role during season 2. For instance, when she left the show, Lucy gave up the house in Connecticut and the kids and went to work full time. Vivian was part of the reason the show was so popular during her time there. I think Lucy and Viv played off each other so well and you could tell the chemistry was there. I know Lucy and Gale Gordon had good chemistry too, but I really missed Viv when she left the show. I just didn't think the later shows were as good.

McGillicuddy · 07-19-2010, 07:41 PM

As far as I can see, Vivian and Gale got along well also, unlike Vivian and William Frawley!

LittleRickyII · 07-19-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

So, I just finished watching The Lucy Show Season 2. LOVE it! So many great shows and fond memories. But I have a question: Had Vivian Vance already expressed her interest to leave the show at this point? It seems in this season, the vibe is that Vance is relegated to a lesser role while Gale Gordon is allowed to shine much more. Maybe it is just because I know she ultimately left the next year, but in this season, her role seems much different than in Season 1.

Originally, The Lucy Show was only supposed to air one season. It was created to help Desilu regain its footing and buy time while the company tried to get some other shows on the air. So Vivian thought she was only doing a one-season show. But then Lucy discovered she could use TLS as leverage to twist CBS's arm to get other Desilu shows on the air (that, plus the fact she was a workaholic). Vivian agreed to come back for a second season, but had no intention of continuing beyond that. But when Lucy decided to continue for a third season, she desperately wanted Viv there with her. Vivian was pretty adamant, but ultimately agreed when her contract was changed so that she would not be required to appear in every episode that season. I think there were about eight or ten episodes in the third season that did not feature her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

You're right that G. Gordon had quite a large role this season. But I still think Vivian Vance played a pivotal role during season 2. For instance, when she left the show, Lucy gave up the house in Connecticut and the kids and went to work full time.

Actually, Danfield, the town where the show took place, was located in New York, not Connecticut.

07-19-2010, 10:02 AM	#1
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	Vivian Vance and Gale Gordon Season 2 So, I just finished watching The Lucy Show Season 2. LOVE it! So many great shows and fond memories. But I have a question: Had Vivian Vance already expressed her interest to leave the show at this point? It seems in this season, the vibe is that Vance is relegated to a lesser role while Gale Gordon is allowed to shine much more. Maybe it is just because I know she ultimately left the next year, but in this season, her role seems much different than in Season 1.

07-19-2010, 01:59 PM	#2
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	You're right that G. Gordon had quite a large role this season. But I still think Vivian Vance played a pivotal role during season 2. For instance, when she left the show, Lucy gave up the house in Connecticut and the kids and went to work full time. Vivian was part of the reason the show was so popular during her time there. I think Lucy and Viv played off each other so well and you could tell the chemistry was there. I know Lucy and Gale Gordon had good chemistry too, but I really missed Viv when she left the show. I just didn't think the later shows were as good.

07-19-2010, 07:41 PM	#3
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	As far as I can see, Vivian and Gale got along well also, unlike Vivian and William Frawley!