Was Lucille Ball never really that "naturally" funny - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-18-2021, 12:12 AM

If so, how much of her success with I Love Lucy should be owed to Desi and producer Jess Oppenheimer? After Oppenheimer's successful lawsuit (over a fair share the profits) against Lucy and Desilu in the 1960s, wasn't Lucy limited as to the elements of the ILL character she could continue to use? So consequently, "The Lucy Show" and Here's Lucy devolved into shows that relied heavily on weekly guest star appearances.

Chocolate Moose · 11-18-2021, 01:04 PM

i disagree. I think it was all her, being naturally funny.

stevea · 11-18-2021, 01:51 PM

I agree, she was absolutely funny. Even the early Lucy Shows were basically a continuation of ILL slapstick. The stilts to the bunkbed, the TV antenna, the near-disaster shower scene.

Then we get into later Lucy Shows and, yes, much is left to guests. As we all do, she was getting older. It's possible that midway into The Lucy Show, she suggested the change and move, so all these stars could be tapped to help carry the show.

PracTz · 11-19-2021, 10:13 PM

She herself once said that she was 'NOT funny' but 'what I AM is brave!' and she was willing to swing from the rafters and wrestle in grape vats to keep the audiences (both at home and the studio) entertained!

Of course, it helped that she'd been mentored in how to comically react and be physical by none other than the legendary silent comedian Buster Keaton (though, alas, she'd never had him on any of her shows!).

11-18-2021, 12:12 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,334	Was Lucille Ball never really that "naturally" funny If so, how much of her success with I Love Lucy should be owed to Desi and producer Jess Oppenheimer? After Oppenheimer's successful lawsuit (over a fair share the profits) against Lucy and Desilu in the 1960s, wasn't Lucy limited as to the elements of the ILL character she could continue to use? So consequently, "The Lucy Show" and Here's Lucy devolved into shows that relied heavily on weekly guest star appearances.

11-18-2021, 01:04 PM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	i disagree. I think it was all her, being naturally funny.
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11-18-2021, 01:51 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,731	I agree, she was absolutely funny. Even the early Lucy Shows were basically a continuation of ILL slapstick. The stilts to the bunkbed, the TV antenna, the near-disaster shower scene. Then we get into later Lucy Shows and, yes, much is left to guests. As we all do, she was getting older. It's possible that midway into The Lucy Show, she suggested the change and move, so all these stars could be tapped to help carry the show.

11-19-2021, 10:13 PM	#4
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	She herself once said that she was 'NOT funny' but 'what I AM is brave!' and she was willing to swing from the rafters and wrestle in grape vats to keep the audiences (both at home and the studio) entertained! Of course, it helped that she'd been mentored in how to comically react and be physical by none other than the legendary silent comedian Buster Keaton (though, alas, she'd never had him on any of her shows!).