Best decision Desi Arnaz made - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

caladon · 05-26-2012, 07:08 PM

The best decision Desi Arnaz made with regards to ILL was casting William Frawley as Fred. Lucy may have been the lead, but IMO, William Frawley's character had the best lines, delivery and comedic presence of the entire cast.

bogdanloveslucy · 06-12-2012, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caladon

The best decision Desi Arnaz made with regards to ILL was casting William Frawley as Fred. Lucy may have been the lead, but IMO, William Frawley's character had the best lines, delivery and comedic presence of the entire cast.

Oh yeah, when he drank that Vita juice he was a riot, when he handled the chocolates on that conveyor belt he just cracked me up and when he put that fake nose on, well, he was just the best. Are you sure you're not watching I Love Fred?

There are even a few instances where Fred does not deliver his lines well, or that scene where he pushes Ricky when they are taking Lucy to the hospital, he does it so badly that it just looks so fake.

Schmoopie · 06-12-2012, 07:01 AM

I love William Frawley! He and Vivian Vance were great as Fred and Ethel.

Marvo301 · 06-12-2012, 01:42 PM

What really makes comedy (or any TV show) work is conflict. You need some sort of conflict around which the characters can interact. On ILL Fred Mertz provided the majority of the conflict. So yes Bill Frawley was a great casting choice by Desi Arnaz.

TuTi · 06-12-2012, 03:59 PM

I cannot see anyone else playing Fred Mertz other than William Frawley or should I say that William Frawley played William Frawley. Didn't Lucy make a comment that William Frawley was Fred Mertz? The actor was the character he played.

caladon · 06-14-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogdanloveslucy

Oh yeah, when he drank that Vita juice he was a riot, when he handled the chocolates on that conveyor belt he just cracked me up and when he put that fake nose on, well, he was just the best.

Glad to see you agree with me. Thanks.

LittleRickyII · 06-16-2012, 11:26 PM

Best decision Desi made? Frawley was definitely up there, but I would put it at second or third. At least equal to that decision, if not better, was his decision to cast Vivian Vance. But number one in my book was the decision to film the show rather than do it live. Had it not been for that, none of us would be here discussing Frawley, Vance or I Love Lucy.

Big3sCompanyFan · 06-17-2012, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I love William Frawley! He and Vivian Vance were great as Fred and Ethel.

Eventhough Vance absolutely hated him which was wrong on her part!

bogdanloveslucy · 06-20-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Eventhough Vance absolutely hated him which was wrong on her part!

Well, she was right, he could have played her dad instead in that ep where she went back home. She thought he was too old for her and he made nasty comments about her so she grew to despise him, but they were pros and it never showed, sorta like that bitchfest between two of the golden girls and that didn't show either.

Big3sCompanyFan · 06-20-2012, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogdanloveslucy

Well, she was right, he could have played her dad instead in that ep where she went back home. She thought he was too old for her and he made nasty comments about her so she grew to despise him, but they were pros and it never showed, sorta like that bitchfest between two of the golden girls and that didn't show either.

But look at the Jeffersons. Louise and George were great friends till the end eventhough Louise was old enough to be George's mother!

You gotta get along people! It was especially evil of Vance to say she was going to have a party when Frawley died! HORRIBLE!

rcbrad · 06-20-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Eventhough Vance absolutely hated him which was wrong on her part!

The feeling was mutual from William. They hated each other.

Big3sCompanyFan · 06-20-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

The feeling was mutual from William. They hated each other.

I'm pretty sure Vance hated him more.

They were offered a show called the Mertzes after ILL. Frawley said yes but Vance said no.

tjays · 07-03-2012, 12:53 AM

WF was great! No doubt about it but he was no Lucy.

Big3sCompanyFan · 07-04-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjays

WF was great! No doubt about it but he was no Lucy.

John Ritter was better than both as Jack Tripper!

That's why TC was Lucy's favorite show!

lucyandethel · 07-18-2012, 05:06 PM

All four were important to the show's success.

05-26-2012, 07:08 PM	#1
caladon Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Massachusetts state home for the bewildered Posts: 1,151	Best decision Desi Arnaz made The best decision Desi Arnaz made with regards to ILL was casting William Frawley as Fred. Lucy may have been the lead, but IMO, William Frawley's character had the best lines, delivery and comedic presence of the entire cast.

06-12-2012, 07:01 AM	#3
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I love William Frawley! He and Vivian Vance were great as Fred and Ethel.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-12-2012, 01:42 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	What really makes comedy (or any TV show) work is conflict. You need some sort of conflict around which the characters can interact. On ILL Fred Mertz provided the majority of the conflict. So yes Bill Frawley was a great casting choice by Desi Arnaz.
	__________________ 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

06-12-2012, 03:59 PM	#5
TuTi Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 11, 2012 Posts: 15	I cannot see anyone else playing Fred Mertz other than William Frawley or should I say that William Frawley played William Frawley. Didn't Lucy make a comment that William Frawley was Fred Mertz? The actor was the character he played.

06-16-2012, 11:26 PM	#7
LittleRickyII Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2009 Location: California Posts: 2,246	Best decision Desi made? Frawley was definitely up there, but I would put it at second or third. At least equal to that decision, if not better, was his decision to cast Vivian Vance. But number one in my book was the decision to film the show rather than do it live. Had it not been for that, none of us would be here discussing Frawley, Vance or I Love Lucy.

07-03-2012, 12:53 AM	#13
tjays Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 24, 2010 Location: (U.S.) Indiana Posts: 37	WF was great! No doubt about it but he was no Lucy.

07-18-2012, 05:06 PM	#15
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	All four were important to the show's success.