The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

1960TV ShowEnded3 SeasonsEnglish

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour is a collection of thirteen one-hour specials airing occasionally from 1957 to 1960, and originally served as part of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. Its original network title was The Ford Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show for the first season, and The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Presents The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show for the following seasons. It was the successor to the classic comedy, I Love Lucy, and featured the same major cast members. The production schedule avoided the grind of a regular weekly series. Desilu produced the show, which was mostly filmed at their Los Angeles studios with occasional on-location shoots at Lake Arrowhead, Las Vegas and Sun Valley, Idaho. CBS reran the show under the "Lucy-Desi" title during the summers of 1962-1967, after which it went into syndication.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Various DirectorsGenres: Comedy, Variety

Plot Summary

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour was a series of hour-long specials that followed the beloved characters of Lucy Ricardo and Ricky Ricardo, along with their best friends Ethel and Fred Mertz. These specials often involved the couples in elaborate schemes and comedic misunderstandings, frequently centered around Lucy's antics to achieve a new career or achieve some other personal goal, usually with disastrously funny results. The show maintained the high-energy, situational humor that made "I Love Lucy" a household name.

Critical Reception

While not a daily series, the specials were highly anticipated and generally well-received by audiences who loved the chemistry of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Critics praised the continued comedic talents of the cast, though some noted the longer format required more sustained storylines compared to the original sitcom's tight pacing. The specials are remembered fondly as a continuation of one of television's most iconic comedy duos.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for the enduring comedic chemistry of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
  • Appreciated by fans as a nostalgic continuation of the "I Love Lucy" universe.
  • Some discussions noted the hour-long format stretched the comedic premises differently than the original sitcom.

Google audience: Audience reception primarily focuses on the nostalgic appeal and the dependable humor brought by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Many viewers express enjoyment in revisiting these familiar characters and their comedic situations, viewing the specials as a welcome extension of their favorite show.

Fun Fact

The final episode of "The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour," titled "Lucy and the Pope," was filmed in Rome, Italy, with Lucille Ball receiving a special blessing from Pope Pius XII.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review