I Love Lucy Rated Tops

I Love Lucy has been rated at the top of a list of shows that have influenced the direction and viewership of TV by Ron Martin, contributor to 411mania. As he states, "Certain shows come along that change the way we watch TV. Sometimes, the show is designed to do just that. Sometimes, the show just does."

Besides Lucille Ball opening the door for women on TV and Hollywood, the column explains that the show, I Love Lucy was the first to use a Three Camera technique still in use today in front of a live audience. Prior to this, only one camera was used and the shows were recorded in New York and then broadcast to the rest of the country with canned laughter in the background.

Although there were leading ladies on TV and film prior to Lucy, she was the one that made us look at a show where the main character was not a man, but a female. Lucy was accepted in an era of male dominated characters and was one of their equals. She also broke the conservative stagnation where pregnancy was not mentioned let alone seen. What were we thinking back then? Why was America embarrassed about something that has been since the beginning of time? The roots of Conservatives viewing Sex as abhorent goes beyound this post!

I Love Lucy has stood the test of time and is still on TV today over 50 years from when it first aired. That alone says enough.

Lucy's Appearance with Danny Thomas

According to TV Shows on DVD, S'more Entertainment has made a deal to distribute Season 6 of "Make Room for Daddy".

These 32 episodes include the follow-up episode from the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, "Lucy Makes Room for Danny" that featured Lucille Ball and Danny Thomas. Lucy appeared on Danny's show, as many celebrities did back then, in response to appearing in her show.

Danny Thomas's 'Make Room for Daddy' series inherited the 'I Love Lucy' time slot - Monday Nights at nine - when the half-hour sitcom went off the air in 1957. When Thomas originally agreed to do his series for the fall of 1953 (for ABC), he went to Desilu for production assistance and utilized their exclusive three-camera technique. Desi Arnaz had been trying to get Danny Thomas on the 'I Love Lucy' show since 1955, but, at that time, there existed a sponsor conflict - 'Daddy' was bankrolled by a competing cigarette company.

The Season 6 DVDs will be remastered from the original broadcasts rather then the syndicated versions. The specials on the Discs will be interviews with Marjorie Lord, Tony Thomas and Sid Melton who appeared regularly in the series, as well as a photo library from the show. The season includes guest appearances by Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Tony Bennett, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope Frankie Laine and a 5 episode story arc featuring Annette Funicello.

Legendary composer Jerry Herman Talks About the Movie "Mame"

Miami Herald staff writer Steve Rothaus interviews Jerry Herman on his take on Lucy's abilities in what was supposed to be Lucy's movie comeback after I Love Lucy.

As most I Love Lucy fans know, the redhead couldn't sing. Her Mame songs had to be cobbled together note by note. We all thought maybe she should be dubbed, but because it was Lucille Ball, and everybody knew what she sounds like, I knew it would be more honest not to.

Continue to read the interview from The Miami Herald.

Lucy Look-a-Likes and Family Fun in Grape Stomping Event

Who hasn't wished they could experience the fun and just plain goofy exhilaration of squishing a bucket of grapes beneath their bare feet on a summer's day. Well, now's your chance. The annual Family Harvest and Grape Stomp will take place on Saturday, August 25, from 2-6 p.m. at Irvin-House Vineyard, the Charleston, SC area's only domestic winery and vineyard. There will be live music, tastings, and even a Lucille Ball look-alike contest. Join in the wholesome family fun at this free event and take home some delicious wine to toast the memorable occasion.

Lucille Ball's Granddaughter Inspires Children's Book

When children’s dance studio owner and teacher Amy Arnaz was looking for inspiration for a book to teach values, she had to look no further than to her daughter, Haley. The result is The Magic Tutu, a gorgeously illustrated children's book about a young dancer who discovers the true meaning of kindness.

The wife of Desi Arnaz, Jr., Amy Arnaz tells the story of Haley, a young ballet dancer who grapples with jealousy, forgiveness and the gift of a magical tutu.

As Ms. Arnaz notes at the book’s web site, “The Magic Tutu was originally a ballet I wrote for the youngest members of our non-profit Boulder City Ballet Company (BCBC) in 2003. The little girls who danced in the ballet were ages 3-8 and they received ‘Bravos!’ from the audience after all three, sold-out performances.

“Magic Tutu fever spead thru our little town of Boulder City, Nevada. Everyone loved the story of the little blonde ballerina with brown eyes who had to wait until she was seven years old to open a present Grandma gave her when she was born. The ballet included enchanting children’s songs. Many families asked me to turn The Magic Tutu into a book so their children could experience the story again.....so I did!” Ms. Arnaz has also produced CDs of the music plus Magic Tutu dolls and t-shirts.

As one reviewer noted, “Children will adore the cheerful photos and the warm-hearted story, and parents will cherish the very special messages about honesty and strength of character. A story as classic as The Nutcracker, this book is sure to be a cherished edition to any home or school library.”

Amy Arnaz danced with the San Diego Ballet Company and the Nevada Dance Theater. She had her own dance studio in Boulder City, Nevada, for 27 years. The founder of the Boulder City Ballet Company for children, she is the recipient of many awards, including Outstanding Contribution to Culture and to the Youth of Boulder City award and the Spirit of Nevada Award. She lives in Boulder City, Nevada with her husband, Desi Arnaz, Jr., four cats and a dog.

All profits from The Magic Tutu book and merchandise sales go directly to the non-profit Boulder City Ballet Company, founded by Amy and Desi Arnaz in 1998 to provide a loving and magical environment where little girls could discover the enchanting world of ballet.