Thoughts on "The Desilu Story" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ricardos4ever · 08-25-2003, 07:12 AM

Did anyone happen to catch it? What were your thoughts? Here are some of mine:

It was exactly what the summary said it would be: a profile of Desilu, the company. Therefore, it covered all of the shows Desilu made possible by showing clips, giving quick summaries, etc. Having said that, it stopped short of getting too personal about Desi and Lucy. The documentary quickly discussed their childhoods and how they stumbled into the business, but it didn't cover the minor details, such as the first divorce, the reasons for the second divorce or even the red scare (which I was very surprised at). It really didn't even cover Desi's alcoholism and it's affect on the company in any great detail, as I thought it might.

There were several interviews and clips that made this documentary worthwhile. One of those clips was an extended version of Lucy and Desi with Ed Sullivan. Of course, many of us remember Desi's touching speech during which he thanks America. Well, this was an extended version of that which begins with Lucy introducing her husband. She calls him her favorite producer, and she says that she's got two little Arnazes at home to prove it. Desi's reaction to that comment is very funny. He almost looks proud of himself. The clip also had a longer version of Desi's 'America' speech. For those like me who hadn't seen this longer version, it was a treat.

Another clip was of the Kennedy Center Honors, where Robert Stack reads the speech that Desi would have said to Lucy, had he been alive and well. Robert Stack was also interviewed for this documentary and told the story of giving this speech, in addition to giving further details about the Italian community's dissatisfaction with their portrayal on "The Untouchables" and the threats Desi recieved because of it.

It was further entertaining to hear some of the interviews, such as Gloria Stuart - old Rose from "Titanic" - trying to take some of the credit for discovering Lucy. And Ann Miller trying to take the credit for introducing Lucy and Desi. But other interviews were priceless, such as Lucie Arnaz's retelling of her parents' last telephone conversation. I had read her version of the story in a book, but it was great to actually hear her tell it. She gave a few more details, too.

Finally, we heard the usual accolades from a slew of famous folk, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jenna Elfman, Brooke Shields, and Roseanne, who showed appreciation for Lucy's tell-it-like it is qualities.

All in all, it was a great way to spend two hours. However, I still have yet to find a documentary that comes close to being as outstanding as Lucie's own documentary about her parents. The way in which "A Home Movie" was presented made it a masterpiece -- even the music, which was her father's music, made the documentary warmer and more personal. The music that they used in "Desliu Story" annoyed me a bit at first -- but how great can the music in a documentary about a movie studio really be, anyway? I think Lucie was right in saying that this documentary is a great companion to "A Home Movie." It was a look into what the company accomplished without getting too personal. "A Home Movie" takes care of the personal; "Desilu Story" explores the business end of things.

That's about all I can think of for know, what did you guys think?

Lodee · 08-25-2003, 09:24 AM

I didn't get to see it

since I don't have BRAVO, but thank you for posting a review.

*ShortCake* · 08-25-2003, 10:46 AM

MANN !! I thought it was next sunday!!!!!

are they going to show it again?

Lodee · 08-25-2003, 10:52 AM

Love,Lucy that sounds like something I would do, getting the date wrong. I'm sure they'll show it again though. If Bravo is anything like MTV or VH1, they'll show it about 23 more times throughout the week.

*ShortCake* · 08-25-2003, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lodee
Love,Lucy that sounds like something I would do, getting the date wrong. I'm sure they'll show it again though. If Bravo is anything like MTV or VH1, they'll show it about 23 more times throughout the week.

thank goodness!! I was really looking forward to watching that too!

crazyredhead · 08-25-2003, 03:51 PM

So guys, how did you like it??

I thought it was pretty good! Definitely not better than the home movies, but still pretty good!

I loved the part when Lucy and Desi were on the Ed Sullivan Show, and Lucy says about Desi, "He's the world's greatest producer...I have two children to prove that."

The end where they talked about Lucy and Desi dying was sad.

Also the part where Lucy was in theis audience and this guy read this letter that Desi had wrote..and Lucy was almost crying.. *sniffs*

crazyredhead · 08-25-2003, 03:55 PM

oops..i didn't see u had posted this one...i posted one too! my opinions are in there! lol i loved the ed sullivan part, it was a treat because i hadn't seen the extended version either!

dawsongirl · 08-25-2003, 09:21 PM

No problem. I just merged the two threads together.

crazyredhead · 08-26-2003, 04:11 PM

thanks dawsongirl! =D

dawsongirl · 08-27-2003, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by crazyredhead
thanks dawsongirl! =D

No problemo.

08-25-2003, 07:12 AM	#1
Ricardos4ever Henna-rinsess Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 28, 2002 Location: Somewhere in the middle of the world's longest Conga line Posts: 473	Thoughts on "The Desilu Story" Did anyone happen to catch it? What were your thoughts? Here are some of mine: It was exactly what the summary said it would be: a profile of Desilu, the company. Therefore, it covered all of the shows Desilu made possible by showing clips, giving quick summaries, etc. Having said that, it stopped short of getting too personal about Desi and Lucy. The documentary quickly discussed their childhoods and how they stumbled into the business, but it didn't cover the minor details, such as the first divorce, the reasons for the second divorce or even the red scare (which I was very surprised at). It really didn't even cover Desi's alcoholism and it's affect on the company in any great detail, as I thought it might. There were several interviews and clips that made this documentary worthwhile. One of those clips was an extended version of Lucy and Desi with Ed Sullivan. Of course, many of us remember Desi's touching speech during which he thanks America. Well, this was an extended version of that which begins with Lucy introducing her husband. She calls him her favorite producer, and she says that she's got two little Arnazes at home to prove it. Desi's reaction to that comment is very funny. He almost looks proud of himself. The clip also had a longer version of Desi's 'America' speech. For those like me who hadn't seen this longer version, it was a treat. Another clip was of the Kennedy Center Honors, where Robert Stack reads the speech that Desi would have said to Lucy, had he been alive and well. Robert Stack was also interviewed for this documentary and told the story of giving this speech, in addition to giving further details about the Italian community's dissatisfaction with their portrayal on "The Untouchables" and the threats Desi recieved because of it. It was further entertaining to hear some of the interviews, such as Gloria Stuart - old Rose from "Titanic" - trying to take some of the credit for discovering Lucy. And Ann Miller trying to take the credit for introducing Lucy and Desi. But other interviews were priceless, such as Lucie Arnaz's retelling of her parents' last telephone conversation. I had read her version of the story in a book, but it was great to actually hear her tell it. She gave a few more details, too. Finally, we heard the usual accolades from a slew of famous folk, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jenna Elfman, Brooke Shields, and Roseanne, who showed appreciation for Lucy's tell-it-like it is qualities. All in all, it was a great way to spend two hours. However, I still have yet to find a documentary that comes close to being as outstanding as Lucie's own documentary about her parents. The way in which "A Home Movie" was presented made it a masterpiece -- even the music, which was her father's music, made the documentary warmer and more personal. The music that they used in "Desliu Story" annoyed me a bit at first -- but how great can the music in a documentary about a movie studio really be, anyway? I think Lucie was right in saying that this documentary is a great companion to "A Home Movie." It was a look into what the company accomplished without getting too personal. "A Home Movie" takes care of the personal; "Desilu Story" explores the business end of things. That's about all I can think of for know, what did you guys think?
	__________________ ELVIS LIVES ***** "They had one of those historical marriages, like Napoleon and Josephine, Richard and Liz--destined to be trouble but destined for them to never find anyone as passionate or as fabulous." -- Lucie Arnaz on her parents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

08-25-2003, 10:46 AM	#3
ShortCake Blair Warner fan. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Florida Posts: 3,761	MANN !! I thought it was next sunday!!!!! are they going to show it again?
	__________________ Ashley "Nice girls don't throw tree's"- Jo Polniaczek.

08-25-2003, 03:51 PM	#6
crazyredhead Seniorita Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: DIZZY LAND Posts: 715	The Desilu Story! So guys, how did you like it?? I thought it was pretty good! Definitely not better than the home movies, but still pretty good! I loved the part when Lucy and Desi were on the Ed Sullivan Show, and Lucy says about Desi, "He's the world's greatest producer...I have two children to prove that." The end where they talked about Lucy and Desi dying was sad. Also the part where Lucy was in theis audience and this guy read this letter that Desi had wrote..and Lucy was almost crying.. sniffs
	__________________ *BEKAH* But uf coss I cahn spik purfuctly good Amurecun. Ethel: "Ring the bell." Fred: "What for?" Ethel: "They don't know we're comin up and people would like a little privacy." Fred: "These aren't people, they're Ricky & Lucy."

08-25-2003, 09:24 AM	#2
Lodee Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2003 Posts: 1,562	I didn't get to see it since I don't have BRAVO, but thank you for posting a review.

08-25-2003, 10:52 AM	#4
Lodee Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2003 Posts: 1,562	Love,Lucy that sounds like something I would do, getting the date wrong. I'm sure they'll show it again though. If Bravo is anything like MTV or VH1, they'll show it about 23 more times throughout the week.

08-25-2003, 03:55 PM	#7
crazyredhead Seniorita Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: DIZZY LAND Posts: 715	oops..i didn't see u had posted this one...i posted one too! my opinions are in there! lol i loved the ed sullivan part, it was a treat because i hadn't seen the extended version either!

08-25-2003, 09:21 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	No problem. I just merged the two threads together.

08-26-2003, 04:11 PM	#9
crazyredhead Seniorita Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: DIZZY LAND Posts: 715	thanks dawsongirl! =D