MovieChat Forums > Here's Lucy (1968) Discussion > Time has NOT been KIND to this show

Time has NOT been KIND to this show

posted 9 years ago by cliffcarson-502-470231
29 replies | jump to latest

I've been through my rounds with Lucy. Like a lot of people who grew up watching her, for decades I loved the original I LOVE LUCY and the later Lucy Shows, but the perception I had of Lucille Ball has shifted considerably seeing some of the HERE'S LUCY's now being shown on Antenna TV. I mean, com' on? Lucille Ball comes off so shrill, loud and just plain MEAN in HERE'S LUCY. Characters don't talk to one another in that show. They YELL dialogue to each other. Lucy gives herself very few moments to just be a civilized nice human being. How many times can she say, "OH, I'm TERRIBLY SORRY" after she's dumped liquid on somebody? Gale Gordon's comedy is embarrassing timed. The over rehearsal painfully shows. It's embarrassing to see people of this age behaving like they've learned nothing in life. The musical production numbers on shows like this, Carol Burnett and TV Variety shows is what lead so many people to say, "oh I hate musicals". I know the show has fans, but for me, it's dated badly.

[–] gerard-21 9 years ago

I agree, it's really not that good. I think the thing that carried this show was all the celebrity guest appearances. Without that (as well as Ball's own star power), I can't see how this show possibly could have lasted as long as it did.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] sjbradford 9 years ago

It lasted because there were only three networks back then, and there was still a lot of affection for Lucille Ball given the abundance of I Love Lucy syndicated reruns.

[–] tforbes-2 8 years ago

I thought it was something of a dreary show when it was on the air in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and I get that same feeling today. I put part of that blame on CBS, because the programmers didn't seem to have a clue about what was really funny. When this show began its run in 1968, CBS was running such fare as "Family Affair," which was more cute than funny. By the end of 1973, such series as "All In The Family" and "Maude" had made their impact, and this show was clearly a dinosaur.

[–] SelenaQP 8 years ago

When this show began its run in 1968, CBS was running such fare as "Family Affair," which was more cute than funny. By the end of 1973, such series as "All In The Family" and "Maude" had made their impact, and this show was clearly a dinosaur.

Oh my gosh! I had completely forgotten about that show Family Affair. I remember watching that show on TV Land and really liking it. It's pretty sad that the girl who played who the daughter had died from an overdose. Pretty shocking. I agree about All In Their Family and Maude. They were much better at keeping up with the times, while Lucy was just sticking to the same old routine because it's simply all she knows what really works best for her.

Don't play games with a girl who can play better.

[–] monterey59 8 years ago

It's badly written and her "acting" was loudly obnoxious by this time: time?
I think the show stunk from the beginning, but I dig what you mean

Even larks and katydids are, supposed by some, to dream

[–] dharvestmoon 9 years ago

Just watched the episode with Petula Clark and your review is right on. Horrid writing and she poured water on Petula in the first 10 minutes.

[–] lavenderspirit2005 9 years ago

Yeah, it IS dated, in some episodes, extraordinarily so, but to me, that's part of the charm. It's pure and utter nostalgia, and I like seeing Lucy perform with her kids, Lucie and Desi Jr. It redeems much of the material, in my opinion, to see the authentic interaction amongst all of them.

Plus I kinda love seeing Lucy progress into the late 60s and 70s, because I'm so used to having viewed her as a part of 1950s Americana/pop culture. It's refreshing to see her in a show in a different time period, reacting to the different attitudes and cultural influences.

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] richard.fuller1 8 years ago

Lucy did a strange bit where in between each show, I Love Lucy, Lucy Show and Here's Lucy, she did a notable movie of sorts.

After I Love Lucy, she went to Broadway, but also did that strange movie with Bob Hope, The Facts of Life, actually that could count as after the Lucy-Desi Hour.

Then she did the Lucy show and after that, she did Yours Mine and Ours, then followed that with Here's Lucy and AFTER that one, of course, she did Mame. It was as if she would end the show and 'return' to movies and get her acclaim at last, perhaps even an Oscar nomination.

I guess by the time Here's Lucy and Mame was over, she could see the writing on the wall.

But even on the Lucy Show, when she is being annoying, as compared to Ricardo, she simply resorts to going 'yea!' as tho she isn't the one being spoken to.

But I remember watching this show thirty-plus years ago and seeing how empty it was.

In the Foster Brooks appearance, she had to keep him from getting drunk. He had alcohol hidden all over his place and of course he got drunk. When Harry showed up, well, Lucille, you did it again!

It was hardly like Vitameatavegamin or stomping grapes or the chocolate factory.

And virtually a same episode with Shelly Winters hiding food in her apartment. I think that was The Lucy Show, but it didn't matter. God, that episode was awful from beginning to end.

[–] communionsong 8 years ago

I was always embarrassed when she would try to dress younger than she was...like the birthday party episode where Kim and Craig were hired to perform at some high-society girl's birthday party and Kim gets laryngitis..so Lucy fill in for her....black pantsuit, pink balloon-sleeve blouse and long black wig...and trying to act like a teen-ager? Seriously?

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

Time was not kind to it when it aired either.

They should had just continued The Lucy Show for another 6 years, instead of creating a new series. From what L. Arnaz said, the reason for a new series that you need 4 seasons for syndication, so that way The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy would both yield money in syndication (with 6 seasons each)

[–] jeffster67 8 years ago

I have to disagree with Lucie Arnaz. You don't necessarily need 4 seasons for a show to enter syndication. Two good examples of that are shows currently being shown on the Antenna TV network: "Three's A Crowd" (1 season) and "The Ropers" (2 seasons). The fact that they are both spin-offs of "Three's Company," which ran 7½ or 8 seasons, might be a factor. I think they should start releasing some more of these classic shows on DVD, and I wish that even though Lucille Ball's last sitcom, "Life with Lucy," only lasted one season, it should also be released on DVD for die-hard Lucy fans like myself.

I'd be very happy to be myself if I could remember who I am. Who am I?

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

I always thought the number was 3 seasons. (and if it was 2/12 season, that counted as three).

However back to my other point: it would had been artistically better to have The Lucy Show continue, instead of starting Here's Lucy the next season. For some reason, Lucy, herself, changed significantly from one series to the next. I didn't see the passion. Here's Lucy never caught on with me (except perhaps the first 6 mos of Here's Lucy)

[–] sjbradford 8 years ago

Lucie Arnaz was correct - it's more financially lucrative to have two six-season series in syndication as opposed to a single series with twelve seasons of episodes.

[–] nycruise-1 8 years ago

When Desilu Studios was sold, they took over ownership of TLS. Lucy had to come up with a new concept/premise. No way could she have continued TLS.

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

are you saying that Desilu was sold at the cusp between TLS and Here's Lucy? or that Lucy sold Desilu while TLS was still airing? Desilu no longer existed after it was sold, since it now was part of Universal and/ or Gulf & Western. I'm confused.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] nycruise-1 8 years ago

The new owner (I think it was Paramount - which was part of Gulf & Western?) owned the show. Yes - "Desilu" went away as a result of the sale. This was during the last season of TLS - which is why it was the last season of TLS.

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] monterey59 8 years ago

I LOVE LUCY is pure gold: HERE'S LUCY? The dregs...

Even larks and katydids are, supposed by some, to dream

[–] rainbowfever64 8 years ago

Wow if you all hate it so much why are you watching it? Its not her best work but I still find it funny. Its Lucy doing what she does best act like a clown someone who never gets it right. I think gale Gordon and Lucy played off each other very well. Lucie was better than desi Jr. in the show. But why do you all bother to watch it if you hate it?

[–] jeffster67 8 years ago

I'm just watching seasons 4-6 for the first time here so I can be surprised. I was a little kid with an early bedtime back then.

[–] toldyousew 8 years ago

Users have their rights to criticize the show. Wow, you're a
presumptuous azzhole thinking people commenting on the show are even
watching the show. Even if they are watching the show, it's
*their business* that they are watching it. Get lost. You can't
deal with the criticism of the show.

Character is revealed by how you treat people with no power.

[–] thomas196x2000 7 years ago

Oh shut up you little butt hurt twit.