THE LUCY SHOW

Following Lucille Ball’s divorce from Desi Arnaz and the last episode of the wildly successful “I Love Lucy,” Desilu Studios was on the ropes. From 1960 to 1962 virtually every show was cancelled, except for “The Untouchables.” Arnaz was still president of Desilu and offered Ball a chance to come back in a new sitcom in 1962. The show was considered a “stop gap” to the beleaguered Studio’s demise and was intended to last only one season. Lucy agreed as long as it appeared on the same night as “I Love Lucy”, and that she would be reunited with co-star and friend Vivian Vance. When Arnaz resigned as head of the studio in 1963, Ball took control and changes were made. Character actor Gayle Gordon had appeared on “I Love Lucy,” and was introduced on the new show as “Mr. Mooney” which became a recurring role on Lucy’s later shows. Far from a one-season tryout, the show endured 6 seasons and was in the top 10 in ratings for every season.