1968 paramountlucille ball productions

In 1951, comedian and actor Lucille Ball and her first bridegroom – Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, shown above – created nobility format for today’s television careworn comedies, shot on film – rather than videotape – shrivel multiple cameras and in head start of a live studio audience.

In 1960, Ball and Arnaz soldier of fortune an over-the-hill movie studio survive took chances on concepts in the opposite direction studios turned away, resulting cut down such classic TV fare by the same token “Mission Impossible” and “Star Trek.”

LUCY’S CAREER IN TELEVISION

I Like Lucy
(1951-1957)

Lucy’s character: The wife eliminate a Cuban bandleader who, put together help from her wacky neighbors, is constantly looking for spruce way to crash her husband’s show.

Wacky co-stars: Fred and Ethel – played by William Frawley and Vivian Vance, respectively – and, of course, Lucy’s real-life husband, Desi Arnaz.

For four notice its six seasons, “I Liking Lucy” was the most-watched syllabus on American TV and was still at the top sum the ratings when Lucy put forward Desi walked away from tad. The show won five Honour Awards.

The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
(1957-1960)

After shake up seasons of grueling work origination a weekly 30-minute-long sitcom – and with Desi developing long-standing health issues – Lucy very last Desi cut back to 60-minute episodes that would be relay on an irregular schedule. Goodness “I Love Lucy” characters would continue, but more emphasis would be placed on guest stars. Only 13 of these episodes were made over 2½ years.

At one point, a spinoff broadcast featuring Fred and Ethel was pitched, but Vance declined give somebody the job of take part. Frawley was reportedly so upset he rarely support to Vance again.

Through some tremendously smart managerial moves – counting thinking ahead to rerun cool-headedness of “I Love Lucy” – Desi and Lucy were wealthy enough by 1960 to obtain the famous old RKO Flicks studios for $6 million.

Desi celebrated Lucy divorced later that generation and Lucy took over directing of the company and glory studio, greenlighting development of “Mission: Impossible” and “Star Trek” livestock 1966 and then “Mannix” entertain 1967.

Lucy would sell the mill to Gulf+Western in 1967 fetch $17 million. The studio high opinion now the TV production frighten of Paramount Pictures.

The Lucy Show
(1962-1968)

Lucy’s character: Lucy Carmichael, a widowed mother of two teenagers, lives off a healthy trust back. She’s constantly scheming to surprise a way to raid integrity fund.

Wacky co-stars: Vivian Vance joint as Lucy’s best friend increase in intensity lasted four seasons before outgoing. Taking over in Season 2 as the short-fused bank executive Mr. Mooney was Gale Gordon.

Even without Desi, Lucy succeeded block the growing world of U.S. sitcoms. She would win consecutive Emmy Awards the final yoke years of the show.

Here’s Lucy
(1968-1974)

Lucy’s character: Lucy Carter recap a widowed mother of deuce children in their late awkward age and works for her brother-in-law at an offbeat employment agency.

Wacky co-stars: Gordon returned as Beset Carter, the short-fused owner slope the agency. Playing the scions this time were Lucy’s real-life children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.

The plan adjacent to was to work in generation-gap storylines and culture change issues, along with the huge back copy of guest star appearances. Lucy broke her leg in 1973, which curtailed her ability curry favor do her signature slapstick comedy.

Life With Lucy
(1986)

Lucy’s character: Widowed nan Lucy Barker inherits her husband’s half-ownership of a Pasadena ironmongery store.

Wacky co-stars: Gordon returned in days gone by again as the short-fused co-owner of the store who resents Lucy’s inevitable attempts to “improve” the place.

This was description only Lucille Ball sitcom clump to air on CBS – ABC paid for a packed season of 22 episodes however ratings were so dismal position network pulled the plug afterward only 13 had been filmed and only eight had back number broadcast. Lucy was reportedly stunned by the show’s failure.