Lucille Ball Comedy Hour - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

novarrofan · 09-18-2010, 01:20 AM

Well I've finally finished watching the whole sensational "The Lucy Show: The Offical Season Two" and everything was so beautifully presented, episodes, commercials, extras packaging etc. The one let down was the totally unfunny Comedy Hour on the last disk. Lucy did her best but the huge disappointment for me was Bob Hope who I normally love. Normally he teams so well with Lucy however here he looks totally out of it and his reading of cue cards was glaringly obvious all the way through it which was really annoying. The basic idea of the special had potential and was a funny one but sadly it didn't raise one smile while I watched it. Thank God season two of the show was great unlike this special although of course I'm so glad it was included in a beautiful print, another piece of Lucy history preserved. Despite this let down I'm really hoping "Lucy in London" is put on the season five set when it is released eventually. What are others thoughts on the comedy hour?

Marvo301 · 09-18-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novarrofan

Well I've finally finished watching the whole sensational "The Lucy Show: The Offical Season Two" and everything was so beautifully presented, episodes, commercials, extras packaging etc. The one let down was the totally unfunny Comedy Hour on the last disk. Lucy did her best but the huge disappointment for me was Bob Hope who I normally love. Normally he teams so well with Lucy however here he looks totally out of it and his reading of cue cards was glaringly obvious all the way through it which was really annoying. The basic idea of the special had potential and was a funny one but sadly it didn't raise one smile while I watched it. Thank God season two of the show was great unlike this special although of course I'm so glad it was included in a beautiful print, another piece of Lucy history preserved. Despite this let down I'm really hoping "Lucy in London" is put on the season five set when it is released eventually. What are others thoughts on the comedy hour?

I thought Bob Hope was miscast as Lucy's romantic interest. Bob Hope is a very funny comedian and a great comic actor but I just couldn't buy him as a romantic lead.

Benno123 · 09-18-2010, 10:38 AM

I have always enjoyed this special and consider it one of my favorite things of Lucy's that I have ever seen. Yet that is just my opinion, and everyone has different taste. But I do agree with you about the super quality of the special, and here's hopingthe London show gets a release on the season 5 set!

nvtlover · 09-20-2010, 09:59 PM

I found the Lucille Ball Comedy Hour to be entertaining but not as funny as The Lucy Show. The opening scene was hilarious as it pokes fun at women not being good executives, which Lucy was, though she didn't like the stress I think. I feel that the scene with Gale and Lucy chasing Bob around the world was unnecessary and strange. The plot for the pilot was funny because of Lucy but Bob does nothing in this production. (I found Bob Hope overrated but I'm 23 so maybe his humor is more dated than Lucy's.) Overall, a B-. I like most of Lucy in London but Lucy Call the President and Happy Anniversary and Goodbye are my favorite specials, but I haven't seen Catherine Curtis yet.

McGillicuddy · 09-21-2010, 10:59 PM

What's the story behind this special? Was Lucy considering changing formats and making this a regular series?

lucyandethel · 09-26-2010, 12:44 PM

I think the comedy hour was a test to see if that particular format would be successful as she wasn't sure if TLS would continue.

Lucy works best in front of an audience. The laugh track was used on this and her timing was off (and the timing of the laugh track as well.) I won't go into my Bob Hope rant here....but I didn't like him....and anyone who requests admission to see his gravesite....come on, fella, get over yourself.....

Jude The Obscure · 09-26-2010, 10:51 PM

Yes, seriously Lucy was considering dropping the sitcom and going with a comedy/variety hour. Many people wonder why she didn't go ahead with it when Vivian announced she was leaving the sitcom. Three seasons of Lucy and Viv were enough for syndication and maybe it would gave Lucy newfound energy to break away from the "lucy character".

McGillicuddy · 09-27-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Yes, seriously Lucy was considering dropping the sitcom and going with a comedy/variety hour. Many people wonder why she didn't go ahead with it when Vivian announced she was leaving the sitcom. Three seasons of Lucy and Viv were enough for syndication and maybe it would gave Lucy newfound energy to break away from the "lucy character".

Kind of interesting she went on to play the "Lucy" character for 10 more years. She must have figured thats what her fans wanted!

Jude The Obscure · 09-27-2010, 10:53 PM

High ratings and a circle of advisors who told her to stick with the formula......and voila, this is what we got.

jehobden · 10-20-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Yes, seriously Lucy was considering dropping the sitcom and going with a comedy/variety hour. Many people wonder why she didn't go ahead with it when Vivian announced she was leaving the sitcom. Three seasons of Lucy and Viv were enough for syndication and maybe it would gave Lucy newfound energy to break away from the "lucy character".

In the long run, she was smarter to stick with the sitcom, for its syndication viability. If she had switched to a variety show, if it hadn't been erased by now, it likely would be tied up in musical rights. Also variety shows tend to be a lot more dated than sitcoms.

comedyfreak · 10-21-2010, 05:37 AM

I just ordered Lucy calls the president, one of her best specials imo.

treky · 10-21-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehobden

In the long run, she was smarted to stick with the sitcom, for its syndication viability. If she had switched to a variety show, if it hadn't been erased by now, it likely would be tied up in musical rights. Also variety shows tend to be a lot more dated than sitcoms.

yea, a LOT of the variety shows and specials aren't on DVD (and sadly, may never be

) because of music rights. That's why only a couple are avaible; and only in "best of" sets.

Jude The Obscure · 10-22-2010, 12:16 PM

Looking forward to season 3 and the specials "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye" and "What Now, Catherine Curtis?" in November and December.

Benno123 · 10-22-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Looking forward to season 3 and the specials "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye" and "What Now, Catherine Curtis?" in November and December.

"Catherine Curtis" is blah, ok but to me not anything to special. But "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye" is just great, perhaps the best post-series thing that Lucille ever did! Of course, that is just my opinion.

comedyfreak · 10-30-2010, 08:50 AM

I just got in Lucy Calls the President one of her best specials. I did notice that it looked like Vivian had a stroke sometime prior to the special, you could see her right side of her face seemed droopy and her lip curl shd did do a great job.

09-18-2010, 01:20 AM	#1
novarrofan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 145	Lucille Ball Comedy Hour Well I've finally finished watching the whole sensational "The Lucy Show: The Offical Season Two" and everything was so beautifully presented, episodes, commercials, extras packaging etc. The one let down was the totally unfunny Comedy Hour on the last disk. Lucy did her best but the huge disappointment for me was Bob Hope who I normally love. Normally he teams so well with Lucy however here he looks totally out of it and his reading of cue cards was glaringly obvious all the way through it which was really annoying. The basic idea of the special had potential and was a funny one but sadly it didn't raise one smile while I watched it. Thank God season two of the show was great unlike this special although of course I'm so glad it was included in a beautiful print, another piece of Lucy history preserved. Despite this let down I'm really hoping "Lucy in London" is put on the season five set when it is released eventually. What are others thoughts on the comedy hour?

10-21-2010, 05:37 AM	#11
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	I just ordered Lucy calls the president, one of her best specials imo.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

09-18-2010, 10:38 AM	#3
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	I have always enjoyed this special and consider it one of my favorite things of Lucy's that I have ever seen. Yet that is just my opinion, and everyone has different taste. But I do agree with you about the super quality of the special, and here's hopingthe London show gets a release on the season 5 set!

09-20-2010, 09:59 PM	#4
nvtlover Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 22, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 55	I found the Lucille Ball Comedy Hour to be entertaining but not as funny as The Lucy Show. The opening scene was hilarious as it pokes fun at women not being good executives, which Lucy was, though she didn't like the stress I think. I feel that the scene with Gale and Lucy chasing Bob around the world was unnecessary and strange. The plot for the pilot was funny because of Lucy but Bob does nothing in this production. (I found Bob Hope overrated but I'm 23 so maybe his humor is more dated than Lucy's.) Overall, a B-. I like most of Lucy in London but Lucy Call the President and Happy Anniversary and Goodbye are my favorite specials, but I haven't seen Catherine Curtis yet.

09-21-2010, 10:59 PM	#5
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	What's the story behind this special? Was Lucy considering changing formats and making this a regular series?

09-26-2010, 12:44 PM	#6
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I think the comedy hour was a test to see if that particular format would be successful as she wasn't sure if TLS would continue. Lucy works best in front of an audience. The laugh track was used on this and her timing was off (and the timing of the laugh track as well.) I won't go into my Bob Hope rant here....but I didn't like him....and anyone who requests admission to see his gravesite....come on, fella, get over yourself.....

09-26-2010, 10:51 PM	#7
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Yes, seriously Lucy was considering dropping the sitcom and going with a comedy/variety hour. Many people wonder why she didn't go ahead with it when Vivian announced she was leaving the sitcom. Three seasons of Lucy and Viv were enough for syndication and maybe it would gave Lucy newfound energy to break away from the "lucy character".

09-27-2010, 10:53 PM	#9
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	High ratings and a circle of advisors who told her to stick with the formula......and voila, this is what we got.

10-22-2010, 12:16 PM	#13
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Looking forward to season 3 and the specials "Happy Anniversary and Goodbye" and "What Now, Catherine Curtis?" in November and December.

10-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#15
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	I just got in Lucy Calls the President one of her best specials. I did notice that it looked like Vivian had a stroke sometime prior to the special, you could see her right side of her face seemed droopy and her lip curl shd did do a great job.