"I Love Lucy" Christmas Special Set for Dec. 20th on CBS - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-22-2013, 04:11 PM

"I Love Lucy" Christmas Special To Air on CBS
Oct. 22, 2013

CBS says it plans to air the "I Love Lucy Christmas Special", featuring two newly colorized classic episodes of the U.S. sitcom.

The hour-long program is to be broadcast Dec. 20. It will include the "Christmas Episode" and "Lucy's Italian Movie".

The episodes "were colorized with a vintage look, a nod to the 1950s period in which the shows were filmed," CBS said in a news release Tuesday.

"The main titles and end credits of the two episodes are seamlessly combined into one set -- at the beginning and end of the hour -- with no interruption between the episodes."

Starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley, the show ran from 1951-57, but has been seen for decades in re-runs.

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_New...8861382463216/

JamesG · 10-22-2013, 09:23 PM

CBS Sets Record Straight on "I Love Lucy" Christmas Special
by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist
October 22, 2013

The Internet was abuzz today with a report that grinchy old CBS was getting that warm, cuddly holiday feeling and had announced it would air back-to-back episodes of "I Love Lucy", colorized and without commercial interruption, and call it The I Love Lucy Christmas Special, on December 20th.

The I Love Lucy Christmas Special will feature colorized episodes of the 1950’s CBS comedy series: the seldom-seen "Christmas Episode", and "Lucy’s Italian Movie" (aka The Grape Stomping Episode). The network said the episodes were “colorized with a vintage look,” for all you purists out there, “in a nod to the 1950’s period in which the shows were filmed.”

That period would be The Black- and-White TV Period, but we’ll let it go.

The "Christmas Episode" finds the Ricardos and Mertzes decorating Lucy and Ricky’s Christmas tree and reminiscing about how their lives have changed since the arrival of the Ricardo’s son, Little Ricky.

Flashbacks are in black-and-white, to emphasize the time lapse, CBS explained. Flashbacks recall the night Lucy tells Ricky she is pregnant, the time Lucy shows up unexpectedly as part of a barbershop quartet, and the day Ricky and the Mertzes rehearse taking Lucy to the maternity ward.

The "Christmas Episode" was first presented as part of the series in December of ’56. The episode wasn’t included in the series’ long history of rebroadcasts, first on CBS Daytime and later in syndication, the network noted, adding that it was thought to be “lost,” until CBS found it — in 1989.

"Lucy’s Italian Movie" finds the Ricardos and Mertzes visiting Rome, where Lucy is invited by a famous Italian film director to appear in his next picture, "Bitter Grapes", which she mistakenly thinks is about the wine industry, so she visits a local vineyard for research and winds up soaking up more local color than intended.

CBS owns the episode, and CBS colorized it. Two episodes makes for a cheap holiday special.

CBS is airing the special on a Friday – a night on which it’s got nothing to lose. It’s the weekend before Christmas – the company will probably sell some DVD’s off of the broadcast.

Oh, but that part of the report about CBS airing the special without commercial interruption? CBS wants you to know it will be running the special with all the advertising you’ve come to expect during the holiday season. Advertisers love holiday programming – even if it’s 60 years old. Look at Rudolph! Look at Frosty the Snowman! Advertisers line up to get in those shows.

CBS may be getting sentimental for the holidays — but it’s not stupid.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/cbs-...stmas-special/

ZeldaGilroy · 10-23-2013, 07:39 AM

I'm excited to see it, even with commercials.

Marvo301 · 10-23-2013, 01:39 PM

The colorized Christmas episode is an extra on the I Love Lucy DVD's but I've never seen the colorized version of Lucy's Italian Movie!

Willbo · 10-28-2013, 05:50 PM

What would really be cool is if CBS aired an original commercial from the original broadcast of the episodes.

rjt100 · 10-28-2013, 06:01 PM

What would really be cool if CBS reran the two Lucy Show Christmas episodes - one from 1962 in black and white and one from 1965 in color. They could air after as filler during Christmas week or on a Saturday night from 8:00-9:00.

Coffeecup · 10-28-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willbo

What would really be cool is if CBS aired an original commercial from the original broadcast of the episodes.

Yeah that would be a added bonus. I wonder what was advertised
in those days. It sure wasn't medical ailment ads like today. Then again they did advertise Geritol in the 1950's.

Benno123 · 10-29-2013, 07:28 PM

What would be great is if CBS added Lucy back to the schedule on a weekly basis!!

Coffeecup · 10-29-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benno123

What would be great is if CBS added Lucy back to the schedule on a weekly basis!!

I doubt that would happen. I tend to think Lucy captures the baby boomers and the generation x'ers or y ers. what ever they are called wouldn't go for old black and white tv. I think of this way. Would I be interested in seeing movies of the 1920's with no sound. Don't think so.

lucy&vivfan · 10-29-2013, 07:55 PM

It is fun to see the colorized episodes. I hope they do a good job. I would like to see the chocolate factory episode or Vitameatavegamin in color, too.

LittleRickyII · 10-30-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy&vivfan

It is fun to see the colorized episodes. I hope they do a good job. I would like to see the chocolate factory episode or Vitameatavegamin in color, too.

Based on the captures I've seen posted, I'd like to see them all in color.

LittleRickyII · 10-30-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

I doubt that would happen. I tend to think Lucy captures the baby boomers and the generation x'ers or y ers. what ever they are called wouldn't go for old black and white tv. I think of this way. Would I be interested in seeing movies of the 1920's with no sound. Don't think so.

I don't think that's a valid comparison. My young niece and nephew had a TV in the back seat of the family car that played DVD's. They would always bring along DVDs to watch and were always popping in things like The Three Stooges.

Benno123 · 10-30-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

I doubt that would happen. I tend to think Lucy captures the baby boomers and the generation x'ers or y ers. what ever they are called wouldn't go for old black and white tv. I think of this way. Would I be interested in seeing movies of the 1920's with no sound. Don't think so.

First of all it was an off-handed comment. Second, I get tired of everyone throwing this new generation under one umbrella. My nieces (ages 17 and 13) happen to love to watch Lucy, Dick Van Dyke with me. They only represent 2 people but do not make it sound like everyone that age feels that way. Plus, if someone doesn't want to watch something there is this thing called an off button. And what does watching Lucy on a network broadcast have to do with silent films, and do I really care if you are "interested in seeing movies of the 1920's with no sound?" Don't think so.

Benno123 · 10-30-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleRickyII

I don't think that's a valid comparison. My young niece and nephew had a TV in the back seat of the family car that played DVD's. They would always bring along DVDs to watch and were always popping in things like The Three Stooges.

This argument that "it is black and white, young kids won't watch" is like "that Beatles album is on vinyl, I won't listen." B&W or color, good is good and if someone wants to watch it they will regardless. My feeling is that if someone is ignorant enough not to give something a try because it is not in color the it is their loss, not mine. But this generalizatiom that "everyone"
in this age group will not watch something in B&W drives me nuts. Your nephew and our nieces prove my point that if someone likes it they will watch.

And this discussion of colorizing "Lucy" is silly to me, too. Again, for a special on-off show it is ok, but again if someone won't watch for that one reason alone then they lose out, not me.

LittleRickyII · 10-30-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benno123

This argument that "it is black and white, young kids won't watch" is like "that Beatles album is on vinyl, I won't listen." B&W or color, good is good and if someone wants to watch it they will regardless.

Well said. And incidentally, occasionally I do watch silent films.

And no, I didn't grow up in the 1920s.

10-22-2013, 04:11 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	"I Love Lucy" Christmas Special Set for Dec. 20th on CBS *"I Love Lucy" Christmas Special To Air on CBS* Oct. 22, 2013 CBS says it plans to air the "I Love Lucy Christmas Special", featuring two newly colorized classic episodes of the U.S. sitcom. The hour-long program is to be broadcast Dec. 20. It will include the "Christmas Episode" and "Lucy's Italian Movie". The episodes "were colorized with a vintage look, a nod to the 1950s period in which the shows were filmed," CBS said in a news release Tuesday. "The main titles and end credits of the two episodes are seamlessly combined into one set -- at the beginning and end of the hour -- with no interruption between the episodes." Starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley, the show ran from 1951-57, but has been seen for decades in re-runs. http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_New...8861382463216/ Attached Images

10-23-2013, 07:39 AM	#3
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	I'm excited to see it, even with commercials.
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

10-23-2013, 01:39 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	The colorized Christmas episode is an extra on the I Love Lucy DVD's but I've never seen the colorized version of Lucy's Italian Movie!
	__________________ 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

10-22-2013, 09:23 PM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	*CBS Sets Record Straight on "I Love Lucy" Christmas Special* by LISA DE MORAES, TV Columnist October 22, 2013 The Internet was abuzz today with a report that grinchy old CBS was getting that warm, cuddly holiday feeling and had announced it would air back-to-back episodes of "I Love Lucy", colorized and without commercial interruption, and call it The I Love Lucy Christmas Special, on December 20th. The I Love Lucy Christmas Special will feature colorized episodes of the 1950’s CBS comedy series: the seldom-seen "Christmas Episode", and "Lucy’s Italian Movie" (aka The Grape Stomping Episode). The network said the episodes were “colorized with a vintage look,” for all you purists out there, “in a nod to the 1950’s period in which the shows were filmed.” That period would be The Black- and-White TV Period, but we’ll let it go. The "Christmas Episode" finds the Ricardos and Mertzes decorating Lucy and Ricky’s Christmas tree and reminiscing about how their lives have changed since the arrival of the Ricardo’s son, Little Ricky. Flashbacks are in black-and-white, to emphasize the time lapse, CBS explained. Flashbacks recall the night Lucy tells Ricky she is pregnant, the time Lucy shows up unexpectedly as part of a barbershop quartet, and the day Ricky and the Mertzes rehearse taking Lucy to the maternity ward. The "Christmas Episode" was first presented as part of the series in December of ’56. The episode wasn’t included in the series’ long history of rebroadcasts, first on CBS Daytime and later in syndication, the network noted, adding that it was thought to be “lost,” until CBS found it — in 1989. "Lucy’s Italian Movie" finds the Ricardos and Mertzes visiting Rome, where Lucy is invited by a famous Italian film director to appear in his next picture, "Bitter Grapes", which she mistakenly thinks is about the wine industry, so she visits a local vineyard for research and winds up soaking up more local color than intended. CBS owns the episode, and CBS colorized it. Two episodes makes for a cheap holiday special. CBS is airing the special on a Friday – a night on which it’s got nothing to lose. It’s the weekend before Christmas – the company will probably sell some DVD’s off of the broadcast. Oh, but that part of the report about CBS airing the special without commercial interruption? CBS wants you to know it will be running the special with all the advertising you’ve come to expect during the holiday season. Advertisers love holiday programming – even if it’s 60 years old. Look at Rudolph! Look at Frosty the Snowman! Advertisers line up to get in those shows. CBS may be getting sentimental for the holidays — but it’s not stupid. http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/cbs-...stmas-special/

10-28-2013, 05:50 PM	#5
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 863	What would really be cool is if CBS aired an original commercial from the original broadcast of the episodes.

10-28-2013, 06:01 PM	#6
rjt100 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 13, 2006 Location: Elmsford, New York Posts: 87	What would really be cool if CBS reran the two Lucy Show Christmas episodes - one from 1962 in black and white and one from 1965 in color. They could air after as filler during Christmas week or on a Saturday night from 8:00-9:00.

10-29-2013, 07:28 PM	#8
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	What would be great is if CBS added Lucy back to the schedule on a weekly basis!!

10-29-2013, 07:55 PM	#10
lucy&vivfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 01, 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 126	It is fun to see the colorized episodes. I hope they do a good job. I would like to see the chocolate factory episode or Vitameatavegamin in color, too.