Guest Stars that Could Have Been ...

[lucyfan101]

 

"Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds" Lucy gets Yoko's diamond tiara stuck on her head right before the Lennons are to show it off at their famous in-bed press conference.

 

This is absolutely brilliant!! John Lennon would have been a very interesting guest, with his acerbic wit.

[Lucyilove]

Oh yes, Dick Van Dyke, how could I forget HIM? How about Mae West? She did a guest turn on Hillbillies and could easily have done Lucy, same for Gloria Swanson, two ladies Lucy admired. I like the idea of Lucy having a mom on her shows, that would have been nice. And Lucy hating TROUBLE, i doubt she could have asked Judy Garland, getting a performance out of her would have been harder than Liz and Dickie put together.

 

Lucy did approach Mae West about the possibility of appearing on Here's Lucy, from the book MAE WEST by George Eells & Stanley Musgrove (1982):

 

"At Rona Barrett's one evening, (Mae) spotted Lucille Ball. Mae had resented the star since reading an erroneous column item that Jackie Gleason and Lucy were to play Diamond Jim Brady and Diamond Lil (note: DL was Mae's copyrighted character). Even though the columnist later corrected Diamond Lil to Lillian Russell a couple of days later, Mae remained suspicious and agitated.

 

Unaware of Mae's feelings, Lucy's producer-husband Gary Morton approached Mae to suggest she appear on his wife's tv show. The mere mention of Ball's name reawakened Mae's paranoia, and she turned noticably cool. Not knowing the reason for her reaction, Morton brought over Lucy, who immediately began selling Mae on what a diverting spot could be worked out. "Did you catch the episode with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton?" she asked, mentioning a segment with the two stars, then at the peak of their popularity, had appeared. "It came off beautifully."

 

Mae turned her baby blues on Lucy, "Yeah" she said, "I turned it on. I was afraid they would cheapen themselves by going on tv but I really enjoyed it."

 

Lucy mumbled something, excused herself and headed for the bar. Shortly after, when Mae started to leave, Lucy jumped up , threw down her cigarette and stomped it out on the tiled floor, crying "Kill the cigarettes! Here comes Mae West!"

 

Mae pretended not to notice, but as she and her escort settled in her limousine, she smiled slyly and said, "I guess I made her mad at me. I didn't mean it the way it sounded but I thought I'd make it worse if I tried to straighten it out."

[Brock]

 

Mae turned her baby blues on Lucy, "Yeah" she said, "I turned it on. I was afraid they would cheapen themselves by going on tv but I really enjoyed it."

 

 

 

This coming from a woman who guest-starred on Mr. Ed?

[C L A U D E]

Lucy did approach Mae West about the possibility of appearing on Here's Lucy, from the book MAE WEST by George Eells & Stanley Musgrove (1982):

 

"At Rona Barrett's one evening, (Mae) spotted Lucille Ball. Mae had resented the star since reading an erroneous column item that Jackie Gleason and Lucy were to play Diamond Jim Brady and Diamond Lil (note: DL was Mae's copyrighted character). Even though the columnist later corrected Diamond Lil to Lillian Russell a couple of days later, Mae remained suspicious and agitated.

 

Unaware of Mae's feelings, Lucy's producer-husband Gary Morton approached Mae to suggest she appear on his wife's tv show. The mere mention of Ball's name reawakened Mae's paranoia, and she turned noticably cool. Not knowing the reason for her reaction, Morton brought over Lucy, who immediately began selling Mae on what a diverting spot could be worked out. "Did you catch the episode with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton?" she asked, mentioning a segment with the two stars, then at the peak of their popularity, had appeared. "It came off beautifully."

 

Mae turned her baby blues on Lucy, "Yeah" she said, "I turned it on. I was afraid they would cheapen themselves by going on tv but I really enjoyed it."

 

Lucy mumbled something, excused herself and headed for the bar. Shortly after, when Mae started to leave, Lucy jumped up , threw down her cigarette and stomped it out on the tiled floor, crying "Kill the cigarettes! Here comes Mae West!"

 

Mae pretended not to notice, but as she and her escort settled in her limousine, she smiled slyly and said, "I guess I made her mad at me. I didn't mean it the way it sounded but I thought I'd make it worse if I tried to straighten it out."

Wow, what a terrific story and also telling us how the process worked for them to actually GET these superstars to lower themselves and do TV, I guess that's the reason she changed her mind and played a carricature of herself on Mr Ed, as bad as Mr Ed was, it was still better than Mae's last movies, Sextette and Myra Breckenridge. I especially loved her wearing evening gowns during the day to camouflage her bulk.

[Mmadluv7]

Lucy did approach Mae West about the possibility of appearing on Here's Lucy, from the book MAE WEST by George Eells & Stanley Musgrove (1982):

 

"At Rona Barrett's one evening, (Mae) spotted Lucille Ball. Mae had resented the star since reading an erroneous column item that Jackie Gleason and Lucy were to play Diamond Jim Brady and Diamond Lil (note: DL was Mae's copyrighted character). Even though the columnist later corrected Diamond Lil to Lillian Russell a couple of days later, Mae remained suspicious and agitated.

 

Unaware of Mae's feelings, Lucy's producer-husband Gary Morton approached Mae to suggest she appear on his wife's tv show. The mere mention of Ball's name reawakened Mae's paranoia, and she turned noticably cool. Not knowing the reason for her reaction, Morton brought over Lucy, who immediately began selling Mae on what a diverting spot could be worked out. "Did you catch the episode with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton?" she asked, mentioning a segment with the two stars, then at the peak of their popularity, had appeared. "It came off beautifully."

 

Mae turned her baby blues on Lucy, "Yeah" she said, "I turned it on. I was afraid they would cheapen themselves by going on tv but I really enjoyed it."

 

Lucy mumbled something, excused herself and headed for the bar. Shortly after, when Mae started to leave, Lucy jumped up , threw down her cigarette and stomped it out on the tiled floor, crying "Kill the cigarettes! Here comes Mae West!"

 

Mae pretended not to notice, but as she and her escort settled in her limousine, she smiled slyly and said, "I guess I made her mad at me. I didn't mean it the way it sounded but I thought I'd make it worse if I tried to straighten it out."

 

 

 

But didn't Lucy speak of Mae West in her interview with Johnny Carson in the 70's. She mentioned how wonderful and extraordinary her talents were.

I also know a friend in Hollywood that knew her personally, who said, by the time The 70's rolled around, she was not too bent on TV, but wanted to be in movies even at her later age.

 

 

I would say the people to work well with Lucy would be:

 

Henry Fonda

Ted Knight

Valerie Harper

Carol Channing

Della Reese - Lucy

Ella Fitzgerald

[Lucyilove]

But didn't Lucy speak of Mae West in her interview with Johnny Carson in the 70's. She mentioned how wonderful and extraordinary her talents were.

I also know a friend in Hollywood that knew her personally, who said, by the time The 70's rolled around, she was not too bent on TV, but wanted to be in movies even at her later age.

 

Another Mae West biography, has this Lucy encounter, relayed by Joyce Haber (MAE WEST EMPRESS OF SEX, Maurice Leonard):

 

"Mae accepted a dinner invitation to dine with Miss Haber at her home but on the evening in question Mae cancelled. She had learned that Lucille Ball was also expected. 'She thought Lucy was competition,' Miss Haber says. 'She wanted to be the star. This marvellous, legendary lady was terrified of meeting another comedienne.'

 

Miss Ball was informed of the situation. 'Lucy was one of the few people in Hollywood who did not have a mean bone in her body,' says Miss Haber. 'That's ridiculous,' she recalls Miss Ball saying. 'Why, I'm dying to meet her. Tell her I'm nothing compared to her. Tell her I'll be devastated if she's not there.'

 

Mae arrived with her muscleman before Miss Ball and settled herself on a chair. Miss Ball arrived shortly afterwards. 'She walked straight over to Mae's chair,' remembers Miss Haber, 'and flopped herself down on the floor next to her, despite the fact that she was wearing the most beautiful dinner gown. She said "I can't believe I'm meeting you, you're so wonderful." She reached out and took her little hand. It was a tender and touching moment, spoiled only, I might say, by some producer who was in the room who yelled out, 'You two ladies look wonderful together. Why don't you do a special for me?'"

 

I'm wondering if these two stories are actually the same encounter, just told by different people? The Leonard story might have been the beginning and the Eells/Musgrove one how it ended?? (And the unnamed producer in the second tale could have been Gary).

[Brock]

Another Mae West biography, has this Lucy encounter, relayed by Joyce Haber (MAE WEST EMPRESS OF SEX, Maurice Leonard):

 

"Mae accepted a dinner invitation to dine with Miss Haber at her home but on the evening in question Mae cancelled. She had learned that Lucille Ball was also expected. 'She thought Lucy was competition,' Miss Haber says. 'She wanted to be the star. This marvellous, legendary lady was terrified of meeting another comedienne.'

 

Miss Ball was informed of the situation. 'Lucy was one of the few people in Hollywood who did not have a mean bone in her body,' says Miss Haber. 'That's ridiculous,' she recalls Miss Ball saying. 'Why, I'm dying to meet her. Tell her I'm nothing compared to her. Tell her I'll be devastated if she's not there.'

 

Mae arrived with her muscleman before Miss Ball and settled herself on a chair. Miss Ball arrived shortly afterwards. 'She walked straight over to Mae's chair,' remembers Miss Haber, 'and flopped herself down on the floor next to her, despite the fact that she was wearing the most beautiful dinner gown. She said "I can't believe I'm meeting you, you're so wonderful." She reached out and took her little hand. It was a tender and touching moment, spoiled only, I might say, by some producer who was in the room who yelled out, 'You two ladies look wonderful together. Why don't you do a special for me?'"

 

I'm wondering if these two stories are actually the same encounter, just told by different people? The Leonard story might have been the beginning and the Eells/Musgrove one how it ended?? (And the unnamed producer in the second tale could have been Gary).

 

That is a terrific story!

[Magster]

That is a terrific story!

 

Agreed! Thank you, Lucyilove, for sharing both Mae West stories! I'd never heard either of them before. I knew Lucy was in awe of Mae West's talents (I LOVE Mae West, btw!) but I didn't know that Mae considered Lucy such competition.

[C L A U D E]

Another Mae West biography, has this Lucy encounter, relayed by Joyce Haber (MAE WEST EMPRESS OF SEX, Maurice Leonard):

 

"Mae accepted a dinner invitation to dine with Miss Haber at her home but on the evening in question Mae cancelled. She had learned that Lucille Ball was also expected. 'She thought Lucy was competition,' Miss Haber says. 'She wanted to be the star. This marvellous, legendary lady was terrified of meeting another comedienne.'

 

Miss Ball was informed of the situation. 'Lucy was one of the few people in Hollywood who did not have a mean bone in her body,' says Miss Haber. 'That's ridiculous,' she recalls Miss Ball saying. 'Why, I'm dying to meet her. Tell her I'm nothing compared to her. Tell her I'll be devastated if she's not there.'

 

Mae arrived with her muscleman before Miss Ball and settled herself on a chair. Miss Ball arrived shortly afterwards. 'She walked straight over to Mae's chair,' remembers Miss Haber, 'and flopped herself down on the floor next to her, despite the fact that she was wearing the most beautiful dinner gown. She said "I can't believe I'm meeting you, you're so wonderful." She reached out and took her little hand. It was a tender and touching moment, spoiled only, I might say, by some producer who was in the room who yelled out, 'You two ladies look wonderful together. Why don't you do a special for me?'"

 

I'm wondering if these two stories are actually the same encounter, just told by different people? The Leonard story might have been the beginning and the Eells/Musgrove one how it ended?? (And the unnamed producer in the second tale could have been Gary).

Geez, thought i had read every Lucy mention in ever bio but do not recall either of your great Mae/Lucy stories, these are absolutely sensational!!!!! Sorry, screwed up that billing, Lucy/Mae stories, L comes before M you know! LOL!

[nertz2mertz]

It would have been awesome to see Lucy and Bea Arthur working together on The Golden Girls.

 

Does anyone know if Lucy was ever offered a part on The Golden Girls?

 

 

[Brock]

Rumour was Lucy was offered the role of Rose's blind sister Lily but the producer at the time said she had no recollection of offering Lucy the part. Lily was eventually played by Polly Holliday.

[C L A U D E]

Rumour was Lucy was offered the role of Rose's blind sister Lily but the producer at the time said she had no recollection of offering Lucy the part. Lily was eventually played by Polly Holliday.

Well, KISS MY GRITS!

[mark bale]

Well, KISS MY GRITS!

 

Were they afraid Lucille would play her like "Lucy" and have her walking into tables etc?

[Taylor]

Were they afraid Lucille would play her like "Lucy" and have her walking into tables etc?

 

My guess is they thought Lucy couldn't play anything other than "Lucy" in a sitcom, so they "forgot" they asked her or something. It's too bad, that would've been a great show for her to be on. Was this before or after "Life With Lucy"? Maybe they saw that and thought hell naw. lol

[C L A U D E]

My guess is they thought Lucy couldn't play anything other than "Lucy" in a sitcom, so they "forgot" they asked her or something. It's too bad, that would've been a great show for her to be on. Was this before or after "Life With Lucy"? Maybe they saw that and thought hell naw. lol

Puhleeeeeeeeeze, it was a nothing part and was not funny at all.

[Taylor]

She still would've been great on "The Golden Girls" in a different part. Just a shame she got sh** written for her instead of actual funny stuff.

[Brock]

Puhleeeeeeeeeze, it was a nothing part and was not funny at all.

 

It wasn't a funny role but it was anything but a "nothing part."

[C L A U D E]

It wasn't a funny role but it was anything but a "nothing part."

No i meant not a part worthy of Lucy's stature and talent, nothing to get excited about, or to feel Lucy was cheated out of something great, but for Flo from Alice, it was fine! I meant nothing part FUNNY wise.

[HarryCarter]

I was thinking the other day that it was surprising that Lucy's close friend Ross Martin never appeared in a Lucy episode (he did direct one). I just came across the original script to the second season "Lucy and Carol Burnett" and the beauty contest judge was supposed to be Don Ameche. He was then crossed out and Ross Martin's name was penciled in. I wonder what prevented both of them from doing this and caused Robert Alda to step in. It would have been interesting to have Don Ameche on the show.