Columnist Puts His Health In Lucy's Hands

Syndicated columnist, Leonard Pitts Jr., declared in his most recent column that if he is ever diagnosed with cancer that he will laugh himself to death. Pitts writes:

I will ensconce myself in front of the big screen with a stack of DVDs — the "Vitameatavegamin" episode of "I Love Lucy" will be at the top, but Pryor, Cosby and Newhart will also be in there, along with "Frasier," Albert Brooks, "Borat," "The Daily Show" ... anything that has ever made me giggle will be pressed into service.

You see, 20 years ago, I read a fascinating book called "Love, Medicine and Miracles" by Dr. Bernie Siegel. It argued the restorative powers of laughter, faith, love and will in fighting even the most fearsome illnesses. I decided then that if I ever found myself on the receiving end of some grim diagnosis, Dr. Lucille Ball and the rest would be integral members of my medical team.

Pitts won the won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2004 and is the author of Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood.

Bill Clinton Loves Lucy

CinemaBlend.com stated that former President Bill Clinton enjoys watching 'I Love Lucy.' Here's the scoop:

The former president also loves ‘TV Land’ staples ‘All in the Family’, ‘I Love Lucy’, and ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’

This love for ‘TV Land’ prompted Clinton to make an appearance at the network’s upfront presentations. He spoke about the baby boomer generation and his renewed love for sitcoms now that his wife is out of the house campaigning.

Related Links:
Bill Clinton a fan of "24" and "I Love Lucy"
Baby boomer Clinton goes to bat for TV Land
TV Land Pushes Boomer Focus at Upfront

Another new Lucy DVD Coming Soon!

Just when we thought things couldn't get any sweeter, what with "The Final Seasons" being released tomorrow, "Without Love" in May, "The Lucille Ball Collection" in June and the "I Love Lucy Movie" before Christmas - DizzyArnizzy (Josh) brought us more exciting DVD news!

On May 1, Genius Productions, Inc. will release
"I Love Lucy - Lucy's Really Lost Moments." This closed captioned, 71 minute long, DVD will retail for $14.95. DizzyArnizzy researched to find out what was on this new release. He writes:

Well, I just found a description from MoviesUnlimited.org:

I Love Lucy - Lucy's Really Lost Moments

Not anymore! Share some laughs with the First Lady of Television with this ultra-rare compilation of footage starring the legendary Lucille Ball. Includes an "I Love Lucy" episode guest-starring Bob Hope; a Westinghouse special featuring Lucy; an episode of the game show "I've Got a Secret," in which Lucy appears with panelist Johnny Carson; and a rarely seen TV pilot starring Lucy.

This is the third home video release of the Westinghouse Special with Viv and Bill (unless this DVD will include the "Westinghouse Desilu Revue" (doubt it) or "Ellis In Freedomland", where Lucy is the voice of a washing machine).

The pilot is probably that 1960 "Victor Borge Comedy Hour", where Lucy takes part in the airplane skit with Gale (a clip from this was included on the "Funny World of Lucy" Vol. 2 DVD)

As for the "I've Got a Secret" episode, this will probably be a NEW "Lucy" appearance to DVD. The episode that will *most likely* be included on this set aired February 15th, 1960...Lucy was promoting "Wildcat" at the time. (Special thanks to HarryCarter over at the Lucy Lounge for the info on this "I've Got a Secret" episode).

Related Links:
DizzyArnizzy's original post about Lucy's Really Lost Moments
Countdown to the Release of TLDCH on DVD!

Songwriter Ray Evans Dead At 92

(Teri) tracynicky writes:

Ray Evans wrote famiiar standards like "Silver Bells", "Mona Lisa", and "Que Sera Sera". He wrote the music to two films of Lucille Ball "Sorrowful Jones" and "Fancy Pants". He was a good friend to Lucy and has contributed money in the past for "The Lucy And Desi Museum" in Jamestown.

Here is the link to his obituary:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-02-17-ray-evans-obit_x.htm?csp=27

In December 2006, Evans donated $20,000 to The Lucy-Desi Museum to aid in the center's expansion plans. Read the blog entry about the donation and Evans' feelings about Lucille Ball.

Long Live Lucy sends its condolences to the family and friends of Ray Evans.

Related Links:
Ray Evans' Filmography

Actor Learned English Watching ILL Reruns

Wilmer Valderrama ("That 70s Show," "Handy Manny") stated in a recent interview that he learned to speak English partly by watching reruns of "I Love Lucy."

Valderrama didn't speak any English when he and his family left Venezuela to live in Los Angeles when he was 14. Last year, Valderrama revealed that Desi Arnaz had influenced his career.

Lucie Mentioned In NY Times; Carol Burnett Writes Jamestown

Lucie Arnaz's attendance at The Great American Songbook Show last Friday was noted by The New York Times:

The other guests included Melissa Errico (effective when she relaxed and sang softly), Lillias White and Capathia Jenkins (both agreeably sassy) and Lucie Arnaz (dramatic but metallic).

Actress Carol Burnett sent an affectionate letter to the residents of Jamestown, New York:

To Everyone in Lucy’s Hometown:

As you know, Lucille Ball was my good friend.

To her, I was ‘‘The Kid,’’ and she was a tremendous teacher and mentor. Her passing left a hole in my heart that can never be filled.

I am thrilled to know of the work you are doing to preserve Lucy and Desi’s legacy. And you are correct in recognizing that it is a legacy of more than props and costumes and personal belongings: it is truly a legacy of love and laughter.

Should the stars ever properly align, I would welcome the opportunity to visit Jamestown and celebrate her legacy with you.

One hundred years from now people around the world will still be laughing at Lucy’s antics. And I hope that for those folks who want to learn more about that wonderful clown, her hometown will still be honoring the one and only Lucy.

Warmly,

Carol Burnett

Burnett's letter was published in The Post-Journal.

Romijn Looking For Lucy's Ranch

Starpulse News Blog reports that actress Rebecca Romijn has a new obsession:

"She had a ranch in the 50s... out near where I live. Now I'm obsessed with trying to find it... It's out in Chatsworth somewhere." X-Men star Rebecca Romijn is hunting for her comedy heroine Lucille Ball's lost ranch.

Hoover Loved Lucy

Potomac News Online reported in an article entitled, "Fifty things we know now (that we didn't know this time last year)" that former FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover wrote a gushy fan letter to Lucille Ball in 1955.

"In all the years I have traveled on trains," he noted, "I have often wondered why someone did not pull the emergency brake, but I have never been aboard a train where it was done. The humor in your program last Monday, I think, exceeded any of your previous programs and they have been really good in themselves."

Robert Osborne on Lucille Ball

Turner Classic Movies Host, Robert Osborne, always has nice things to say about his friend and mentor, Lucille Ball:

"I was going to be the next Cary Grant," he jokes and when he hit Hollywood was taken under the wing of Lucille Ball. "She had a group of young actors she was trying to push along. But acting really wasn't for me," he said.

"One day I was over at Lucy's and she said `You come from a nice family, you may be too normal for stardom, it's a lonely place.' She told me to be myself and combine my journalism love and my show business love. It was the best advice ever given to me.

"Lucy was a close friend, so was Bette Davis; these women knew more about the game than anybody. They couldn't bear to think of retirement. There was nothing for them to retire to."

Osborne does 150 movie intros and exits each month. Last month Turner Classic Movies was introduced in Canada.

The above excerpt was taken from Introducing Turner's Movie Guide by Jim Bawden. Read the full article:

http://www.thestar.com/artsentertainment/article/166990

TCM Canadian Schedule

Lyricist Donates $20,000 to Lucy-Desi Center

The Celebrity Cafe reported that lyricist Ray Evans donated $20,000 to The Lucy-Desi Center in Jamestown, New York. The donation will be used towards the center's expansion plans.

Evans and his musical partner, the late Jay Livingston, penned many popular songs including "Silver Bells" and Doris Day's signature song, "Que Sera, Sera." They also wrote the TV theme songs for "Mister Ed" and "Bonanza."

Asked about his gift, from his home in Beverly Hills Mr. Evans responded: “I’m glad to be part of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York. I was born and grew up in Salamanca, right around the corner, and this is a real hometown kind of program. I knew Lucille Ball very well, and in addition to writing songs for several of the movies she did with Bob Hope, we talked about our common background. I get back to Salamanca once a year, and I’m planning to visit Jamestown on my next trip.”

Evans and Livingston wrote the music for Sorrowful Jones (1949) and Fancy Pants (1950).

Read more about Mr. Evans' Donation at The Celebrity Cafe.

Amin Loved Lucy, More TLDCH Pre-Order Listings

Idi Amin Loved Lucy

I was reading an article about things that dicators collect in an old issue of Psychology Today Magazine and discovered that Idi Amin, the former ruler of Uganda, collected old film reels of I Love Lucy and Tom and Jerry cartoons.

Source: "Everything in Excess", Psychology Today Magazine, Oct. 2006, page 34

More Pre-order Listings for The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour DVDs

Amazon.com - $27.99 (listed as "I Love Lucy - The Complete Seasons 7-9")
DeepDiscountDVD.com - $29.04
Barnes & Noble - $31.98
BestBuy.com - $34.99 (Thanks mickie)
The Lucy-Desi Center Gift Shop - $54.95

Valderrama Admires Desi Arnaz

Wilmer Valderrama, 26, listed Desi Arnaz as one of his influences in an interview with The Chicago Tribune.

Professionally, two people influenced my career: Anthony Quinn and Desi Arnaz. Quinn was probably one of the greatest character actors. Desi Arnaz [played] Ricky on "I Love Lucy." Most people don't understand what he contributed to television. He created the multicamera process ... the actors were covered from different angles.

Valderrama is best known for his role as "Fez" on That '70s Show and currently does the voice of Manny in the Disney Channel show Handy Manny.

Joan Collins on Lucille Ball

Joan Collins goes for laughs:

"People don't think good-looking women are funny," comments Collins during a telephone interview the morning after Legends! opened its North American tour in Toronto after three weeks of previews. "The only one who got away with it is Lucille Ball.

Joan Collins, 73, is best known for her role as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty.

Ethel’s Nice, Too

Are there people who don’t love Lucy? Judging by the sold-out crowd at The Museum of Television & Radio’s event “FOUND! I Love Lucy: The Movie” in Beverly Hills Friday night, part of the museum’s “She Made It: Fearless Women” series, we’d say no. Award-winning "Will & Grace" star Debra Messing, who led the pre-screening discussion with "I Love Lucy" editor Dann Cahn and Gregg Oppenheimer, son of "Lucy" creator Jess Oppenheimer, revealed that Lucille Ball was the reason she went into acting. Growing up in Rhode Island, Messing explained, there was little else to do besides watching television, proving kids are gaining something by watching TV all day. Ever heard of a little trophy called Emmy, parents of America?

This is an excerpt. Here's the rest:
http://www.la.com/blog/comments.php?id=3474_0_1_0_C

Lily Tomlin Speaks About Meeting Lucy

Talk Greenville interviewed comedian and actress Lily Tomlin. Here is what Ms. Tomlin had to say about Lucille.

Talk Greenville: You looked up to Lucille Ball as a child. Did you ever get to meet her?

Lily Tomlin: People magazine once asked her about young comedians coming up. When she got to my name, she said ‘I don’t get her.’ I was devastated. I about died, thinking, ‘This is the end of it for me.’ (Years later) I had dinner with her one night, Bette Midler and I. She was wonderful. We laughed until we were sick. She did a whole bit about a root canal and then going to the Tonys. She did it for 20 minutes at the table. I thought I was going to die.


Talk Greenville: Did you bring up her quote in People magazine?

Lily Tomlin: Ohhh, noooo! (laugh)

This is an excerpt. Read the entire article here:
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660927012