Why was Opening changed?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

McGillicuddy · 09-16-2010, 08:50 PM

I wonder why they dropped the stick cartoon figures of Lucy and Viv from season 1, for the opening. The second season opening looks like it was just thrown together at the last minute. What was wrong with the original opening?

LittleRickyII · 09-16-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

I wonder why they dropped the stick cartoon figures of Lucy and Viv from season 1, for the opening. The second season opening looks like it was just thrown together at the last minute. What was wrong with the original opening?

Yeah, I think they should have colorized the cartoon opening for the second season. It would have looked something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYa7f...eature=related

comedyfreak · 09-17-2010, 04:02 AM

I've been wondering myself.

TV Knowledge Fan · 09-17-2010, 11:04 PM

...Lucy changed the opening title for season two because Desi was no longer in charge of Desilu (she bought him out in November 1962, effectively taking over the studio): he preferred animated titles, from 'I LOVE LUCY" through "THE LUCILLE BALL-DESI ARNAZ SHOW" [i.e. "THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR"]. She decided she wanted a live-action "montage" title sequence {'The Many Faces of Lucy'}, of which several variations were used for the remainder of the series.

Marvo301 · 09-17-2010, 11:17 PM

I agree. The departure of Desi Arnaz from Desilu and Lucy taking over as sole owner was a big factor behind the changes in the opening.

Benno123 · 09-18-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I agree. The departure of Desi Arnaz from Desilu and Lucy taking over as sole owner was a big factor behind the changes in the opening.

And a big factor in the decline in the quality of the series. I am not saying the series was poor after Desi left - that is not true at all! - but you can feel the "Arnaz Touch" was missing from anything Lucy from there on.

McGillicuddy · 09-18-2010, 07:46 PM

While were on the subject of Desi Arnaz' preference for animated openings for both I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show, why was the animated opening dropped and the "heart" opening used in syndication for ILL? I'm glad the animation was restored for dvd!

old grouch · 09-18-2010, 11:38 PM

They switched to the satin heart because of the references to the original sponsor, Philip Morris, in the original animated openings.

McGillicuddy · 09-19-2010, 01:34 AM

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo.

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

treky · 09-19-2010, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo.

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

the kaleidoscope opening wasn't always used for the sydnicated airings of "THE LUCY SHOW"; I remember watching reruns of it on a local station in the 70s, and they showed the animated opening on the black-and-white ones and another opening with a montage of pictures of Lucy for some of the color episodes.

McGillicuddy · 09-19-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benno123

And a big factor in the decline in the quality of the series. I am not saying the series was poor after Desi left - that is not true at all! - but you can feel the "Arnaz Touch" was missing from anything Lucy from there on.

For those who recognize the loss of the "Arnaz Touch" on The Lucy Show should check out The Mothers-in-Law, since that is a Desi Arnaz production.

novarrofan · 09-19-2010, 09:09 PM

I always find that Kaleidoscope opening a bit disturbing. I don't think it is well done at all but the part I hate is one of the shots of Lucy were she is wearing some strange white poncho thing that weirdly I always think looks like a strait jacket!! The look on Lucy's face too always seems a bit deranged. Luckily the sequence ends with another very dignified (and beautiful) shot of Lucy in formal wear but that earlier shot is the pits, can't understand perfectionist Lucy settling for it when there were so many beautiful shots of her available. I wish as well they had just done a colour animated opening sequence for all 6 seasons like they did for the entire run of Bewitched

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo.

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

Benno123 · 09-20-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

For those who recognize the loss of the "Arnaz Touch" on The Lucy Show should check out The Mothers-in-Law, since that is a Desi Arnaz production.

I have read some posts on the MIL forum on here who did not like that series, but the episodes I've watched so far I have really enjoyed! Sure, it's not ILL and Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard are no Lucy and Vivian, but if you don't try to do a "side by side" in your mind of the two shows and stars, it's pretty good IMO.

McGillicuddy · 09-20-2010, 05:22 PM

I love Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard. I think both actresses have been very underrated over the years. Love TMIL !

TeeVeeCloset · 09-20-2010, 07:26 PM

While we are at this discussion, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the first three seasons of "The Lucy Show" were originally broadcast in black & white, but seasons 2 and 3 were of course filmed in color....but stations ran them in black and white because stations were not ready and neither were television watchers as color didn't become a standard till around 1965 with NBC being the leader, hence the NBC peacock!

09-16-2010, 08:50 PM	#1
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Why was Opening changed?? I wonder why they dropped the stick cartoon figures of Lucy and Viv from season 1, for the opening. The second season opening looks like it was just thrown together at the last minute. What was wrong with the original opening?

09-17-2010, 04:02 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I've been wondering myself.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

09-17-2010, 11:04 PM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Quite possibly... ...Lucy changed the opening title for season two because Desi was no longer in charge of Desilu (she bought him out in November 1962, effectively taking over the studio): he preferred animated titles, from 'I LOVE LUCY" through "THE LUCILLE BALL-DESI ARNAZ SHOW" [i.e. "THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR"]. She decided she wanted a live-action "montage" title sequence {'The Many Faces of Lucy'}, of which several variations were used for the remainder of the series.

09-17-2010, 11:17 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I agree. The departure of Desi Arnaz from Desilu and Lucy taking over as sole owner was a big factor behind the changes in the opening.
	__________________ 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

09-20-2010, 07:26 PM	#15
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	While we are at this discussion, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the first three seasons of "The Lucy Show" were originally broadcast in black & white, but seasons 2 and 3 were of course filmed in color....but stations ran them in black and white because stations were not ready and neither were television watchers as color didn't become a standard till around 1965 with NBC being the leader, hence the NBC peacock!
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive".....

09-18-2010, 07:46 PM	#7
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	While were on the subject of Desi Arnaz' preference for animated openings for both I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show, why was the animated opening dropped and the "heart" opening used in syndication for ILL? I'm glad the animation was restored for dvd!

09-18-2010, 11:38 PM	#8
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	They switched to the satin heart because of the references to the original sponsor, Philip Morris, in the original animated openings.

09-19-2010, 01:34 AM	#9
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo. Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

09-20-2010, 05:22 PM	#14
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I love Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard. I think both actresses have been very underrated over the years. Love TMIL !