If Life With Lucy were redone - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LUCILLE BALL · 07-21-2002, 06:56 PM

I think they went about that plot the wrong way. What they should have done is take have Lucy play herself. And have her react the way she would in situations, like If Lucille Ball babysat her gradchildren and she took them to the grocery store and she disguised herself so no one would now she was Lucille Ball. Her grandchildren run amuck and get on the PA and tell the store Lucy was there. All the fans swamp her and tug on her clothes like her movie Best Foot Forward. She has enought "character" to build around. The way she cooks, drives, and behaves in her Hollywood Life.

dawsongirl · 07-22-2002, 05:52 PM

Lucy should have played a woman her age, not a 70 year old playing 30. It might have been better that way.

Ziggy · 07-22-2002, 07:31 PM

I never saw Life With Lucy, and I was wondering if someone could explain what the show was about, and how she was a 70 year old playing 30. I'm really curious, because I'm a big fan of all of Lucy's other shows. Thanks.

JaneTVFan · 07-22-2002, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MaryMarloLaurenandJack
I never saw Life With Lucy, and I was wondering if someone could explain what the show was about, and how she was a 70 year old playing 30. I'm really curious, because I'm a big fan of all of Lucy's other shows. Thanks.

She wasn't literally playing a 30 year old, but she was certainly trying to come off as much younger than her age. Ann Dusenberry was not believable as her daughter. She was much too young. And Lucy just didn't look right. The way she was painting her eyebrows to try to look younger actually made her look like a racoon. And after years of cigarettes and scotch, she sounded like an elephant when she talked. But they had her going on dates on this show with attractive younger men like Peter Graves as if she were some cool young chick. Lucy and Peter Graves did not look right together at all. She had that masculine voice. It looked more like he was dating his mother. And Gale Gordon was also way too old to be playing Larry Anderson's father. He was getting really feeble at this point. What would have made more sense would be to have Lucy playing Gale Gordon's wife. They looked like they were the same age. Put them in a retirement home together where they get on one another's nerves. With her voice the way it was, Lucy would have done better playing a cranky old wife or a Bea Arthur type character instead of a hip young grandmother version of her ingenue Lucy character. By the way, has anybody ever heard a story that back in the 50's Bea Arhur was a man named Arthur Bean who got a sex change? I don't think it's true.

SOAPDYNASTY · 08-20-2002, 08:50 PM

I don't think so .... about the Bea Arhur thing

auntmartha · 08-22-2002, 05:52 PM

JaneTVFan,

I agree with what you wrote about "Life With Lucy". It's such a shame that the show just did not work. I think if they had done kind of a "Golden Girls" type show and star other co-stars that were Lucy's age, including Gale Gordon, it would have been more successful.

SPLAIN · 09-18-2002, 01:29 PM

Let's see, the writers though they had created the best scripts in the business back in the 50's hadn't worked in years, the director had not been involved in a show this big since he left Lucy back in 1952, the producer was Gary, enough said and the time slot was leading the pack on Saturday nights, i always say it should have followed a hit like Who's the Boss, but they wanted her to be their Golden Girl. As for her playing 30, nonsense, she was a grandmother, but it's true the audience was afraid she would get her doing stunts at her age, but when you hear the audience, they still loved her so much,, the people there were very happy with the show! The executive producer Aaron Spelling wasn't eactly known for comedy, and Lucy was so tired, she couldn't fight like she used to, the writers hated Gary and would take the scripts to her, and well, what a mess, if only she had gotten a role on Golden Girls or something of that nature!

LUCILLE BALL · 09-18-2002, 01:43 PM

I could not picture Lucy a Golden Girl as bad as that sounds and as much as I love her...remmber the Golden Girls were in their Golden years, 50's 60's Sophia was Golden Girl Dorothy's Italian mom and I cannot see her playing an Italian Grammaw. I could see her playing Rose's mom....Actually and interesting piece of Trivia for those of you who are as big a fan of Golden Girls/Lucy as I am..... Lucy was asked to guest in Golden Girls as Rose's Blind sister. She had gotten sick though and was unable to go ahead with it though....second Lucy was weary about playing such a serious role/character, she already done Stone Pillow and felt she had let her public down. But I am sure she was happy she was asked.

SPLAIN · 09-18-2002, 02:42 PM

Now you see Jen, another perfect example of you telling a story i had NEVER heard before, when you mentionned this the first time, i freaked, could not believe it, playing Rose's sister would have been terrific as they both played dummies for years, i dunno about the blind part though, which is probably why she turned it down. As for her being one of the three Golden Girls,i assumed Betty and Bea vetoed the idea as then it would have been considered a Lucille Ball show, but that's just my wild Lucy Ricardo type imagination at work here! Jen, do you think Jane will EVER start something with me, can't wait, she seems as knowing as us, in some cases she really makes great points, i just reread all the posts that are on here, this is a great board!

~LadyJess~ · 09-18-2002, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LUCILLE BALL
I could not picture Lucy a Golden Girl as bad as that sounds and as much as I love her...remmber the Golden Girls were in their Golden years, 50's 60's Sophia was Golden Girl Dorothy's Italian mom and I cannot see her playing an Italian Grammaw. I could see her playing Rose's mom....Actually and interesting piece of Trivia for those of you who are as big a fan of Golden Girls/Lucy as I am..... Lucy was asked to guest in Golden Girls as Rose's Blind sister. She had gotten sick though and was unable to go ahead with it though....second Lucy was weary about playing such a serious role/character, she already done Stone Pillow and felt she had let her public down. But I am sure she was happy she was asked.

I couldn't picture Lucy as a Golden Girl either. Besides the show ran from 1985-1992, right near the end of Lucy's life. I think that would have been really cool if she had guest starred on the show..maybe not as Rose's blind sister but as LUCILLE BALL said, Rose's mother. I think there was only two appreances max by Rose's mother and I could really see Lucy in that role.

SPLAIN · 09-18-2002, 04:11 PM

Ok, i have this time machine, so you go back in time and you tell Lucille Ball you want her to play Rose's mother, Betty White, her friend's MOTHER, well it was nice knowing you! LOL, lots of bruises too, i bet!

JaneTVFan · 09-19-2002, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
Jen, do you think Jane will EVER start something with me,

Why do you keep posting these comments about me? It makes it look like you're trying to start something with me, but sorry, I'm not going to take the bait.

JaneTVFan · 09-19-2002, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPLAIN
As for her being one of the three Golden Girls,i assumed Betty and Bea vetoed the idea as then it would have been considered a Lucille Ball show,

Couldn't Betty and Rue have vetoed the idea of having Bea Arthur on the show for the same reason? After all, Bea had been a BIG TV star in the 70s with her own successful show. It seems to me if they could have accepted Bea as a co-star, they could have accepted Lucy as well. The problem as I see it, though, is the producers would probably have wanted to cast Lucy in a role similar to the role of Dorothy, and two Dorothys wouldn't work.

SPLAIN · 09-19-2002, 09:48 AM

Because i love the fact that you are in the know about Lucy's life and i can't wait to get into a big discussion with you, any discussion. Don't get paranoid, as i'm VERY STRANGE, i probably said it in a bad way, as i was impatient to start one, you and i won't fight, we will discuss, the reason you had trouble with that one thread that everybody pounced on you for was the fact that someone like me didn't get into it and calm things down and in some cases commend you for having the courage to tackle touchy subjects. I have only been on these boards since March, i have encountered cliques, and that annoying thing where you can't discuss anything without fear of people getting all upset. I did not come on here to fight, i want to be able to discuss any subject without fear or reprisals. I think that going on and on about stupid things like the latest Lucy hat somebody bought is not as interesting as discussing every aspect of her life, and especially discovering things i did not know. I just love talking to people who know stuff i NEVER heard before, and people who aren't afraid to say certain things, and you are one of those people that can accomplish both those things. Maybe the force you used was a little harsh, the terms used were a little inappropriate for a Lucy site, but the fact that you want to discuss a different topic is not wrong, and i wish i had been around then, it made me want to join this site because things can get pretty boring on these sites sometimes and things should be shaken up now and then, trust me, i'm being honest and sincere here, i want it to be interesting for everybody and i think Lucy herself would appreciate the honesty and the frankness!

SPLAIN · 09-19-2002, 11:22 AM

As for the Lucy role on the Golden Girls, that could have been solved by Betty playing the trampy Blanche role she played to perfection on Mary Tyler Moore's show. Remember Sue Ann Nivens? And Lucy had a reputation for taking over the show and being difficult to work with, i don't know if Bea's rep was as bad! So even though Betty and Bea were friends of hers, they might have not wanted to lose that friendship by working with her. Gossip time, do any of you know why Bea and Betty hate each other to this day, ever read anything about it?

07-21-2002, 06:56 PM	#1
LUCILLE BALL Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2001 Location: Land of the Red White and LU Posts: 96	If Life With Lucy were redone I think they went about that plot the wrong way. What they should have done is take have Lucy play herself. And have her react the way she would in situations, like If Lucille Ball babysat her gradchildren and she took them to the grocery store and she disguised herself so no one would now she was Lucille Ball. Her grandchildren run amuck and get on the PA and tell the store Lucy was there. All the fans swamp her and tug on her clothes like her movie Best Foot Forward. She has enought "character" to build around. The way she cooks, drives, and behaves in her Hollywood Life.
	__________________ *I am happpy I have brought laughter because i have been shown by many the value of it...in so many lives in so many ways...Lucille Ball 1989* http://www.smiliegenerator.de/s17/smilies-23676.png

07-22-2002, 05:52 PM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Lucy should have played a woman her age, not a 70 year old playing 30. It might have been better that way.

07-22-2002, 07:31 PM	#3
Ziggy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 21, 2002 Posts: 147	I never saw Life With Lucy, and I was wondering if someone could explain what the show was about, and how she was a 70 year old playing 30. I'm really curious, because I'm a big fan of all of Lucy's other shows. Thanks.

08-20-2002, 08:50 PM	#5
SOAPDYNASTY GIMME A BREAK Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 17, 2002 Location: RI Posts: 285	I don't think so .... about the Bea Arhur thing

08-22-2002, 05:52 PM	#6
auntmartha Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Posts: 4	JaneTVFan, I agree with what you wrote about "Life With Lucy". It's such a shame that the show just did not work. I think if they had done kind of a "Golden Girls" type show and star other co-stars that were Lucy's age, including Gale Gordon, it would have been more successful.

09-18-2002, 01:29 PM	#7
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Let's see, the writers though they had created the best scripts in the business back in the 50's hadn't worked in years, the director had not been involved in a show this big since he left Lucy back in 1952, the producer was Gary, enough said and the time slot was leading the pack on Saturday nights, i always say it should have followed a hit like Who's the Boss, but they wanted her to be their Golden Girl. As for her playing 30, nonsense, she was a grandmother, but it's true the audience was afraid she would get her doing stunts at her age, but when you hear the audience, they still loved her so much,, the people there were very happy with the show! The executive producer Aaron Spelling wasn't eactly known for comedy, and Lucy was so tired, she couldn't fight like she used to, the writers hated Gary and would take the scripts to her, and well, what a mess, if only she had gotten a role on Golden Girls or something of that nature!

09-18-2002, 01:43 PM	#8
LUCILLE BALL Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2001 Location: Land of the Red White and LU Posts: 96	I could not picture Lucy a Golden Girl as bad as that sounds and as much as I love her...remmber the Golden Girls were in their Golden years, 50's 60's Sophia was Golden Girl Dorothy's Italian mom and I cannot see her playing an Italian Grammaw. I could see her playing Rose's mom....Actually and interesting piece of Trivia for those of you who are as big a fan of Golden Girls/Lucy as I am..... Lucy was asked to guest in Golden Girls as Rose's Blind sister. She had gotten sick though and was unable to go ahead with it though....second Lucy was weary about playing such a serious role/character, she already done Stone Pillow and felt she had let her public down. But I am sure she was happy she was asked.

09-18-2002, 02:42 PM	#9
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Now you see Jen, another perfect example of you telling a story i had NEVER heard before, when you mentionned this the first time, i freaked, could not believe it, playing Rose's sister would have been terrific as they both played dummies for years, i dunno about the blind part though, which is probably why she turned it down. As for her being one of the three Golden Girls,i assumed Betty and Bea vetoed the idea as then it would have been considered a Lucille Ball show, but that's just my wild Lucy Ricardo type imagination at work here! Jen, do you think Jane will EVER start something with me, can't wait, she seems as knowing as us, in some cases she really makes great points, i just reread all the posts that are on here, this is a great board!

09-18-2002, 04:11 PM	#11
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Ok, i have this time machine, so you go back in time and you tell Lucille Ball you want her to play Rose's mother, Betty White, her friend's MOTHER, well it was nice knowing you! LOL, lots of bruises too, i bet!

09-19-2002, 09:48 AM	#14
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Because i love the fact that you are in the know about Lucy's life and i can't wait to get into a big discussion with you, any discussion. Don't get paranoid, as i'm VERY STRANGE, i probably said it in a bad way, as i was impatient to start one, you and i won't fight, we will discuss, the reason you had trouble with that one thread that everybody pounced on you for was the fact that someone like me didn't get into it and calm things down and in some cases commend you for having the courage to tackle touchy subjects. I have only been on these boards since March, i have encountered cliques, and that annoying thing where you can't discuss anything without fear of people getting all upset. I did not come on here to fight, i want to be able to discuss any subject without fear or reprisals. I think that going on and on about stupid things like the latest Lucy hat somebody bought is not as interesting as discussing every aspect of her life, and especially discovering things i did not know. I just love talking to people who know stuff i NEVER heard before, and people who aren't afraid to say certain things, and you are one of those people that can accomplish both those things. Maybe the force you used was a little harsh, the terms used were a little inappropriate for a Lucy site, but the fact that you want to discuss a different topic is not wrong, and i wish i had been around then, it made me want to join this site because things can get pretty boring on these sites sometimes and things should be shaken up now and then, trust me, i'm being honest and sincere here, i want it to be interesting for everybody and i think Lucy herself would appreciate the honesty and the frankness!

09-19-2002, 11:22 AM	#15
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	As for the Lucy role on the Golden Girls, that could have been solved by Betty playing the trampy Blanche role she played to perfection on Mary Tyler Moore's show. Remember Sue Ann Nivens? And Lucy had a reputation for taking over the show and being difficult to work with, i don't know if Bea's rep was as bad! So even though Betty and Bea were friends of hers, they might have not wanted to lose that friendship by working with her. Gossip time, do any of you know why Bea and Betty hate each other to this day, ever read anything about it?