My best friend is a gaffer, and works at Hollywood Las Palmas Studios. where the originals were shot. Whenever I go visit, I make my pilgrimage to Stage 2, where all of this happened. It is a THRILL to imagine the goings-on, feel the ghosts, and remember what fun they all gave us...all from that soundstage...
So funny... I'm 66 and the first " I Love Lucy " episode was filmed about 2 months before I was conceived. I grew up watching Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel. I've watched the show during my whole life and it was always a great thrill when I saw an episode that I hadn't seen before. I think I can say that I've seen them all but I still laugh when I watch today. I Love Lucy! 💗
My favorite scene was when Lucy was dodging/dancing in the kitchen with the pots and pans under her robe while Ricky was aghast! She was the queen of slapstick! The show had my full attention and heart when I was in kindergarten.😂 💗
Grow up watching the reruns in 80s until they stopped showing the classic shows on tv. Now I have the dvds to watch when ever. Never get tired of them. Love them
It is so much fun learning how it all began and other fun facts! I love this series! It is the BEST! LOVE THE CAST AND LOVE YOUR TAKE ON IT! THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO!!
My three year old began watching the show with me and loves it! She will ask, "Mom, can I sleep with you and watch Ms Lucy?" She laughs at all the funny parts.
Two audience members that have closeups are actors Ann Doran (played James Dean's mother in Rebel Without a Cause) and Benny Baker, former vaudevillian who usually played villains on TV shows like Perry Mason
The couple shown walking into the studio, and also shown a couple times More, is Ann Duran. Ann played James Dean's mother in Rebel without a cause!!!! Check it out Rick. And as usual, I'm hopeful!! Great video.
Hey Rick, that was a great story! I'll bet not many people knew it before now. Thanks for sharing this information with all of us!! Would you be able to do an extension to this video like you said? Have a great weekend!
I really enjoyed this. I love seeing sets as the real audience saw it. When I was a kid, between I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners I was convinced that New York apartments had very flimsy walls that would shake when somebody slammed a door. Ironically I became a set designer and builder and have made dozens of those box sets for n my day.
It's interesting too that Lucy filmed this two months after her daughter was born. You wonder what it's like to take on a new weekly TV show with a young infant. I wonder how much help she had at the time. I'm sure she had more resources by the time Desi Jr. came along.
As a side bar: Desi Arnaz was prescient in that he took a big financial risk in 1951 and had the series produced on videotape (film), and not with the traditional kinescope. Notice the difference in video quality between the “I Love Lucy” TV series and, for example, the “The Honeymooners” TV series. Had Desi produced the “I Love Lucy” TV series in color - he really would have been ahead of his time. 😊
Um, Honeymooners never shot kinescope. The original sketches did but not the sitcom. Obviously you've never seen the sitcom before lol also Lucy in color would've sucked.
This explains why this is the first available episode on Hulu! I'm here because I couldn't figure out why it starts with season 1 episode 4. Very interesting video.
Very informative and entertaining, Rick! One comment below said there were actors in the audience. He could be correct. That gentleman you kept showing sitting with a lady in the front row looked like a character actor of that era. I recall seeing him in some Perry Mason episodes and other TV shows of the time. Be positive and stay hopeful!
@@ricknineg Rick, I've been thinking that Desi and the produces of the show very well might of "salted" the audience of this first episode with actor friends with instructions to really laugh and clap it up. All in the good cause of getting ILL off to a rousing start. What do you think? Run across anything mentioning this?
Who was the actor mentioned? Also, wasn't Lucy's mom in the audience? I read others could hear both she and Desi laughing. Back then did they have "canned laughter"?
Lucy did My Favorite Husband before this which is very similar. It was on radio I know I have listened to a few of them. They changed some things like adding Desi but a very similar show.
Hey Rick. I've talked to you before and I am so happy that you produce so many tributes to Lucy and Desi Arnaz.! I am from Jamestown and had the privilege of knowing a few of Lucy's friends. Let's talk soon. Send me a message.
Years ago I read a biography of Vivian Vance and it said every filming day she would throw up on the way to work. This is a bit surprising since she was a stage actress and was used to performing in front of an audience.
As I understand it, that reaction driving in to Desilu didn't happen til several episodes in, and ONLY because she so loathed working with Frawley, not for general nerves.
@@bradsmack1 The nausea was probably unrelated to Frawley. They established a fragile peace between them for the good of the show. Vivian was being verbally and physically abused by her husband at the time, actor Philip Ober, and that was most likely the cause, if there was continual nausea problems. If you recall, Ober made two guest appearances on ILL.
@@mxlance1 There may be different accounts floating out there. While I can't remember where I read the account I cited, that's what I recall: She disliked working with Frawley so much, that would be a daily event coming into the studio. Are you able to cite a passage, and from where, about the Ober abuse account?
@@bradsmack1 True, it's known that Vance and Frawley had a rocky relationship from the start, as she didn't like having an older man play her husband and his cantankerousness put her off. But, they had great chemistry on camera and you can't fake that sort of thing. They obviously enjoyed performing with each other. I'm sure that those big pay checks and being in a super hit show helped them both put their differences aside for the good of the show. Vance was a pro stage actress and Frawley an experienced film veteran. It's very doubtful she was throwing up every time she had to do the show. As for the abuse by husband Philip Ober, t's mentioned in her Wikipedia bio. They give a reference to " frankfob2 [sic] (2008). "Biography for Philip Ober". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2008-04-04." I read an article several years ago that Vance would often came on the set before the night of the filming of the show and be upset with black and blue marks on her face. Lucy had to console her and the makeup department add extra make-up to cover up the bruises. They bruises were from Ober, her husband.
Another very enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing all the interesting information. This is one of my least favorite I Love Lucy episodes and would usually skip over it when it was on tv. I've never watched it on Amazon Prime.
I think Lucy is wearing oversized pajama shirt because, as they used to say, she was "with child" when the series began. I remember being 6 or 7 and sitting with my grandmother watching I Love Lucy. She spoke no English, but laughed so hard at Lucy and Ethel getting in trouble. She definitely understood everything Ricky said to Lucy! That made her laugh even more. Almost 70 years later I'm still enjoying watching Lucy get in trouble and Ricky blowing his top.
I've read in other places that Lucy was cold towards Vivian because she wanted her good friend to get the part of Ethel. Just curious..but later became best friends.
The interesting bit was how well dressed people were just coming off the street plus they did not hide the sets prior to the show starting like they do today
love this info. would like to know more about the sets. how they were set up and how they did sceen changes. we're the Hollywood hotel rooms done on the same set as the apartments?
Watching this I notice you show pictures of the same man and woman at least 4 times, I recognize them both as "character" actors though I couldn't tell you their names. Is there some significance to showing them several times? Funny, we have watched this series so many times, yet I never stopped to think about "the first episode", neither of the 2 that are mentioned would have been my guess for first. Wonder why they never did an episode showing Lucy and Ricky meeting Fred and Ethel for the first time?
was there in a/c for the people attending the tapings? I know on the Andy Griffith show they performed in a non A/C environment which you could see the sweat on their faces. I never noticed it until I found that out. What is the situation for I love Lucy, can you tell me? Thanks Rick!
Traditional for I Love Lucy. The show always used three. The exception was this episode that used 4. All revolutionary as I have pointed out in several videos 😃
Interesting to watch. Vivian Vances hair wardrobe and makeup in this one episode looked different in a good way compared to the ones almost immediately after
My best friend is a gaffer, and works at Hollywood Las Palmas Studios. where the originals were shot. Whenever I go visit, I make my pilgrimage to Stage 2, where all of this happened. It is a THRILL to imagine the goings-on, feel the ghosts, and remember what fun they all gave us...all from that soundstage...
Nice to know that someone like you who puts good energy, research and your passion does a You Tube homage to I Love Lucy.
I’ve been bingeing all your I Love Lucy vids during this pandemic. Thank you for all the work you put into your content.
I really enjoyed seeing the various "behind the scenes" photos of the stage, set, actors, band and audience. Great stuff, thank you!!
So funny... I'm 66 and the first " I Love Lucy " episode was filmed about 2 months before I was conceived. I grew up watching Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel. I've watched the show during my whole life and it was always a great thrill when I saw an episode that I hadn't seen before. I think I can say that I've seen them all but I still laugh when I watch today. I Love Lucy! 💗
I'm 63 and can say almost the same thing!
My favorite scene was when Lucy was dodging/dancing in the kitchen with the pots and pans under her robe while Ricky was aghast! She was the queen of slapstick! The show had my full attention and heart when I was in kindergarten.😂 💗
Terrific video. By the way, William Frawley had made around 60 movies before he did "I Love Lucy". He was very well known!
I watch I love Lucy everyday especially during this quarantine It has really been helpful
Grow up watching the reruns in 80s until they stopped showing the classic shows on tv. Now I have the dvds to watch when ever. Never get tired of them. Love them
Thank you so much Rick for the behind the scenes stories on the very first time they filmed a episode of I love Lucy
It is so much fun learning how it all began and other fun facts! I love this series! It is the BEST! LOVE THE CAST AND LOVE YOUR TAKE ON IT! THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO!!
Once again you give us an informational & entertaining video on the timeless I Love Lucy!! Thanks for all you do & remember, Be Hopeful 🤓
I'll be they had no idea that people still today in 2019. Still love this show. I love Lucy is funest show all time .
My three year old began watching the show with me and loves it! She will ask, "Mom, can I sleep with you and watch Ms Lucy?" She laughs at all the funny parts.
My FAV series EVER. "I LOVE LUCY" was innovative &, most importantly,. FUNNY!
Now it just became 2022. I Love Lucy is still going strong!
@@alvincash3230 I was just going to say that!
I Loved Lucy when I was 6 (our first tv in 1951) and still do now in 2022.
Another great video Rick! Interesting information on such a wonderful show! Thanks for sharing! Be hopeful!
I can't imagine being in the audience that day, experiencing a real piece of history like that. I wonder if they took home any souvenirs.
Great Video Rick. Love all that Special Information about one of My All time favorite Shows.. Thanks You.
Always enjoy hearing about "behind-the-scenes" info. Inherently interesting!
LOVED this back-story & all of the info provided. As always, great video, Rick!! ❤
~ Maura from Maryland ~ 😊
Two audience members that have closeups are actors Ann Doran (played James Dean's mother in Rebel Without a Cause) and Benny Baker, former vaudevillian who usually played villains on TV shows like Perry Mason
I am always awestruck just how important this TV show was to all that followed in TV history! Such talent, business minds, and creation!
Lucy was such a selfless person I wish I could have met her! Thanks Rick for documenting what must've been a very exciting opening night!
Thank you Rick for sharing I love your channel learning all the ends and outs of one of my favorite shows.
Very interesting to hear all the stuff that went on for the first episode they filmed. Thank you Rick.
Good morning Rick! Great video Rick...learned a lot. Thanks for all your hard work. I'm hopeful for a safe and blessed weekend for you!
What a great video so full of information I did not know. Thank you for a great video.
68 years ago today October 15, 1951 I still Love Lucy
You always deliver on your videos! Thank you!! Huge fan
Great video Rick. Love your videos. Keep them coming
I keep em coming and you keep watching? Deal?
Deal!!
The couple shown walking into the studio, and also shown a couple times More, is Ann Duran. Ann played James Dean's mother in Rebel without a cause!!!! Check it out Rick. And as usual, I'm hopeful!! Great video.
love all the production stills! What a great video!
Thanks, Kevin!
Loved it Rick. Love this kind of coverage. Thanks Buddy!
These behind the scenes still are amazing!
Love the behind-the-scenes images. Very entertaining.
I bet Bill Frawley wasn't nervous. He seemed pretty unflappable!
Yes, remember, William Frawley the only one of the main cast that was a veteran performer in front of a live audience and cameras as well.
Great video 📹 full of interesting tidbits of back stage goings on. Thanks!
I appreciate all the vids you put up. It's nice to know about the behind the scenes stuff.
Thanks so much!
Hey Rick, that was a great story! I'll bet not many people knew it before now. Thanks for sharing this information with all of us!!
Would you be able to do an extension to this video like you said?
Have a great weekend!
Another great video Rick!
I really enjoyed this. I love seeing sets as the real audience saw it.
When I was a kid, between I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners I was convinced that New York apartments had very flimsy walls that would shake when somebody slammed a door.
Ironically I became a set designer and builder and have made dozens of those box sets for n my day.
Thanks Rick I really enjoyed the video and always appreciate your message to be hopeful 💕
I make that a focus of all my vids and glad you like it
Great video and info!
I loved lucy just like every one else did may be more one over all shows
It's interesting too that Lucy filmed this two months after her daughter was born. You wonder what it's like to take on a new weekly TV show with a young infant. I wonder how much help she had at the time. I'm sure she had more resources by the time Desi Jr. came along.
Thank You Rick - great video!!
I just subscribed. Please don't disappoint!! Loving your videos, with information.
With over 1,350 videos, you have so much to watch and enjoy! Thanks so much!
Vivian Vance!!! Viva Vivian!!!!Luv u!!!!
Great info Rick! Love the photo stills.
Interesting information Thank you Mr Nineg
And thanks to you, Robin for watching
Great photos and info. Thanks..
Thank you Rick always enjoy your videos
As a side bar: Desi Arnaz was prescient in that he took a big financial risk in 1951 and had the series produced on videotape (film), and not with the traditional kinescope. Notice the difference in video quality between the “I Love Lucy” TV series and, for example, the “The Honeymooners” TV series. Had Desi produced the “I Love Lucy” TV series in color - he really would have been ahead of his time. 😊
Um, Honeymooners never shot kinescope. The original sketches did but not the sitcom. Obviously you've never seen the sitcom before lol also Lucy in color would've sucked.
He did it because he didn't want to live in New York.
Thanks love, I always enjoy your videos.
😁
Thanks. Nicely done
All your videos are great and I learn so much
Thanks, Cynthia! Hope all is well
I had always thought that the first episode recorded was "The Pilot" episode. Either way I enjoyed your video as always ❤
This explains why this is the first available episode on Hulu! I'm here because I couldn't figure out why it starts with season 1 episode 4. Very interesting video.
Very informative and entertaining, Rick! One comment below said there were actors in the audience. He could be correct.
That gentleman you kept showing sitting with a lady in the front row looked like a character actor of that era. I recall seeing him in some Perry Mason episodes and other TV shows of the time.
Be positive and stay hopeful!
Yes, he is an actor in the I Love Lucy movie
@@ricknineg Rick, I've been thinking that Desi and the produces of the show very well might of "salted" the audience of this first episode with actor friends with instructions to really laugh and clap it up. All in the good cause of getting ILL off to a rousing start. What do you think? Run across anything mentioning this?
Who was the actor mentioned? Also, wasn't Lucy's mom in the audience? I read others could hear both she and Desi laughing. Back then did they have "canned laughter"?
@@maddyhayes617 Yes, Lucy's mother was there. I believe she went to every show.
Watching now August 2022. Great video. 👌🙂
You’re awesome Blue
Its a wonderfull show I love watching I love Lucy its so funny
Lucy did My Favorite Husband before this which is very similar. It was on radio I know I have listened to a few of them. They changed some things like adding Desi but a very similar show.
I love all the episodes of I love Lucy I also enjoyed the Lucy show the are both timeless classics
Hey Rick. I've talked to you before and I am so happy that you produce so many tributes to Lucy and Desi Arnaz.! I am from Jamestown and had the privilege of knowing a few of Lucy's friends. Let's talk soon. Send me a message.
Thanks for all your research
Years ago I read a biography of Vivian Vance and it said every filming day she would throw up on the way to work. This is a bit surprising since she was a stage actress and was used to performing in front of an audience.
As I understand it, that reaction driving in to Desilu didn't happen til several episodes in, and ONLY because she so loathed working with Frawley, not for general nerves.
@@bradsmack1 The nausea was probably unrelated to Frawley. They established a fragile peace between them for the good of the show. Vivian was being verbally and physically abused by her husband at the time, actor Philip Ober, and that was most likely the cause, if there was continual nausea problems. If you recall, Ober made two guest appearances on ILL.
@@mxlance1 There may be different accounts floating out there. While I can't remember where I read the account I cited, that's what I recall: She disliked working with Frawley so much, that would be a daily event coming into the studio. Are you able to cite a passage, and from where, about the Ober abuse account?
@@bradsmack1 True, it's known that Vance and Frawley had a rocky relationship from the start, as she didn't like having an older man play her husband and his cantankerousness put her off. But, they had great chemistry on camera and you can't fake that sort of thing. They obviously enjoyed performing with each other. I'm sure that those big pay checks and being in a super hit show helped them both put their differences aside for the good of the show. Vance was a pro stage actress and Frawley an experienced film veteran. It's very doubtful she was throwing up every time she had to do the show.
As for the abuse by husband Philip Ober, t's mentioned in her Wikipedia bio. They give a reference to " frankfob2 [sic] (2008). "Biography for Philip Ober". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2008-04-04." I read an article several years ago that Vance would often came on the set before the night of the filming of the show and be upset with black and blue marks on her face. Lucy had to console her and the makeup department add extra make-up to cover up the bruises. They bruises were from Ober, her husband.
Some actors never get over stage fright but carry on. Barbra Streisand said she hates performing and gets sick but she carries on.
Rick: Would please the follow up video like you said you might do on I Love Lucy? Thank you very much for your help. You be hopeful as always.
I wish I was there! ♥
Me toooo
Me too❤
Me, too!
Another very enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing all the interesting information. This is one of my least favorite I Love Lucy episodes and would usually skip over it when it was on tv. I've never watched it on Amazon Prime.
I think Lucy is wearing oversized pajama shirt because, as they used to say, she was "with child" when the series began.
I remember being 6 or 7 and sitting with my grandmother watching I Love Lucy. She spoke no English, but laughed so hard at Lucy and Ethel getting in trouble. She definitely understood everything Ricky said to Lucy! That made her laugh even more.
Almost 70 years later I'm still enjoying watching Lucy get in trouble and Ricky blowing his top.
Hey, Rick. Love your channel! I'd love to know what colors the walls, furnishings were!
I've read in other places that Lucy was cold towards Vivian because she wanted her good friend to get the part of Ethel. Just curious..but later became best friends.
Thank you rick u rock.
No, you rock
The interesting bit was how well dressed people were just coming off the street plus they did not hide the sets prior to the show starting like they do today
Awesome video great information be hopeful 👍
I love it ! 💓
And i love your support in all that I do....Thanks!
love this info. would like to know more about the sets. how they were set up and how they did sceen changes. we're the Hollywood hotel rooms done on the same set as the apartments?
BE HOPEFUL, RICK!💝🖤💖
I love Lucy all over the world.
I could see how nervous William Frawley was when he's getting the sleeping aide for Ricky out of his tin. Both his hands are shaking.
Watching this I notice you show pictures of the same man and woman at least 4 times, I recognize them both as "character" actors though I couldn't tell you their names. Is there some significance to showing them several times?
Funny, we have watched this series so many times, yet I never stopped to think about "the first episode", neither of the 2 that are mentioned would have been my guess for first. Wonder why they never did an episode showing Lucy and Ricky meeting Fred and Ethel for the first time?
Yes, My videos and what I show are planned sometimes to when the frames and transitions and music happens
How did Lucy and Desi meet Vivian and Bill? Was it when Lucy and Ann Southern on the boat?
Love it!
Thanks rick
Very nice clip
Thank you
was there in a/c for the people attending the tapings? I know on the Andy Griffith show they performed in a non A/C environment which you could see the sweat on their faces. I never noticed it until I found that out. What is the situation for I love Lucy, can you tell me? Thanks Rick!
I wish I could have been at one of Lucys taping being born in 68 it would have been hard on the earlier shows but Life with Lucy in the 80 maybe.
Here was no “traditional three cameras”-
This was absolutely new and Desi Arnaz’s idea !
Traditional for I Love Lucy. The show always used three. The exception was this episode that used 4. All revolutionary as I have pointed out in several videos 😃
Now I have to go back and watch the episode
Interesting to watch. Vivian Vances hair wardrobe and makeup in this one episode looked different in a good way compared to the ones almost immediately after
I can sure understand why they would be nervous. It was the beginning of something new & no one new at that time how successful it would be.
I love , I Love Lucy!!♥️
You have a very nice voice.
So the "Girls want to go to a nightclub was recorded 9/15/1951 and aired 10/15/1951 the actual start date of the broadcast, correct?
I read once that the first episode filmed was "The Diet" Chapter 9 of LUCY The Real Life of Lucille Ball written by Charles Higham copywright 1986
hi the best tv show I love it thank you
I don't put anyone "on a pedestal".
I love equality.
Why would I raise someone above myself?
What a great opening episode. It establishes immediately what a kook Lucy was.
@4:51 that guy looks like the Mad magazine cover boy
I Love Lucy my favorite one fan Big Seasons DVD 📀 Dolls Jamestown New York Lucy and Desi Museum Love my favorite one fan Big ❤️❤️❤️💖💖❤️❤️⭐️🎶🗽
Was that Debbie Reynolds’s entering the studio audience to watch the first episode?
Hey Rick, did you ever do a program on The Mothers in law? This came out in 1967. Desi Arnaz produced this show.
I’ve heard of the show but I’ve never watched it or covered it on my channel yet.
Frawley was also on My Three Sons