Having A Ball

Having A Ball: The Diet

August 30th, 2021  |  43 mins 21 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, let’s talk to lucy, lucie arnaz, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss the third episode of season one The Diet. They discuss the pressure on women and absurdity that Lucy sees herself as 'too big' and goes to extremes to lose weight.
Lucy's ultimate goal is to be in Ricky's show, of course, but once comparing herself to others auditioning, Erika and Ziva talk about how that still resonates to women and society today.
The biggest treat is we get to hear and see the Cuban Pete and Sally Sweet number Desi and Lucille performed around the country while proving to the network that audiences would love and embrace them... and we have for nearly 6 decades!

Having A Ball: Bonus: ‘Let's Talk to Lucy’ Dean Martin Review

August 25th, 2021  |  4 mins 40 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

Edit: Mrs. Martin’s first name is Jeane. Not Joanne.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the friendship between Dean Martin and Lucy We also discuss Lucille’s admiration for their family life and how they are raising their family during the time of recording.
Dean Martin’s son and Desi Arnaz, Jr. were also joining the business during this time forming and performing in their band Dino, Desi and Billy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Having A Ball: Be A Pal

August 23rd, 2021  |  49 mins 55 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, let’s talk to lucy, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss the second episode of season 1, Be A Pal.
They discuss the complex relationships and standards of the 1950’s. They break down all the different things Lucy Ricardo tried to do to keep Ricky’s attention. This is a fun episode that involves a bit of Desi’s culture with Lucy’s rendition of Carmen Miranda’s “Mama yo quiero”.

Having A Ball: Bonus: Let's Talk to Lucy Podcast Review

August 19th, 2021  |  5 mins 20 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, let’s talk to lucy, lucie arnaz, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

MINI BONUS EPISODE: With the release of the Let's Talk to Lucy podcast on Sirius XM and the podcast format after all these years, it feels like Lucille is joining the podcasting world with all of us!
In this episode, Erika and Ziva discuss their takeaways from the first released episode with Danny Kaye and Carol Channing.
They also discuss the difference between how free the real Lucille Ball sounds compared to the more animated Lucy Ricardo.
Listening to Lucille interview and podcast away so long ago is really a treat for everyone!

Having A Ball: The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub

August 16th, 2021  |  50 mins 24 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, let’s talk to lucy, lucie arnaz, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

Often considered the first episode of the I Love Lucy series, 'The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub (Season 1, Episode1) is the episode immediately following the Pilot Episode.
The hosts discuss the premise which is Fred and Ethel Mertz' wedding anniversary. They discuss the differences between men and women in the dating world and marriage in the 50's and how they differ from today. In this episode, we really see Lucille Ball's ability for character changing, physical comedy and true audience reactions. This is the initial episode of the breakdown and reviews of all the I Love Lucy show!

Having A Ball: The Lost Pilot Episode

August 9th, 2021  |  1 hr 11 mins

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, let’s talk to lucy, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss the pilot episode of I Love Lucy- commonly known as the Lost Pilot. The premise of the pilot episode centers around what would later become 'The Audition' episode.
They discuss how the set was designed, the guest stars and we had no Fred and Ethel yet- the search for the couple is described and who was originally wanted to play the lovable Mertz neighbors.
The Lost Pilot was a replica of Lucy and Desi's cross country tour to prove to CBS they could pull off an I Love Lucy show with Desi as the husband.
After the pilot, history was made in 1951. We almost didn't have this Lost Episode to review! Find out who had the original film stored away for many many years!

Having A Ball: Vivian Vance and William Frawley Profiles

August 2nd, 2021  |  49 mins 22 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss Vivian Vance and William Frawley- shedding a light on these two iconic actors who often don't get as much credit as the two main characters of I Love Lucy. They discuss Vivian's theatre career and her dedication to helping those with mental health struggles.
'Vivian's lifelong friendship with Lucille Ball spanned well beyond I Love Lucy and subsequent 'Lucy' programs.
The hosts also cover the vast career of William Frawley from finding superstardom in his golden years to his struggle with alcoholism.
Of course, the true friendship or lack thereof is also addressed of these two veteran actors were half of the success that carried the I Love Lucy show.

Having A Ball: Desi Arnaz Profile

July 26th, 2021  |  1 hr 7 mins

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss the other half of iconic Desilu Productions enterprise, Desi Arnaz ("She's the Vice President, I am the President!")
From his opulent childhood as the son of the mayor of Santiago De Cuba, to losing it all in the Revolution and ultimately finding his way to Miami and the planets aligning for him to meet Lucille Ball.
They discuss the success of I Love Lucy and how Desi brought the business savvy to brilliantly negotiate the rights of all I Love Lucy productions.
Not to be overlooked, his career post ‘Lucy’, his television accomplishments behind the camera and why their marriage could not last.

Having A Ball: Rick Nineg- Youtube Creator

July 22nd, 2021  |  58 mins 39 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, javier bardem, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts chat with YouTube creator, Rick Nineg. All things I Love Lucy and other classic TV shows are discussed. Rick's channel covers all things I Love Lucy including: trivia, bloopers, backstage drama, Desilu historical facts, trips to the old Desilu production studios and other landmarks. He discusses how he started his channel and how his love of all things I Love Lucy began. As Rick says, "Be Hopeful!"

Having A Ball: Lucille Ball Profile

July 18th, 2021  |  54 mins 10 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, fred mertz, having a ball, having a ball podcast, i love lucy, i love lucy trivia, jamestown, javier bardem, lucille ball, new york, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts discuss the Icon that is Lucille Ball. From her humble beginnings in Jamestown, NY to the pursue of theatrical training at school where she was told she was wasting her time and money, to being cast as 'Queen of the B Pictures', all the way to that fateful casting in 'Too Many Girls' where she met Desi Arnaz.
Highlighted is of course, the juggernaut that was I Love Lucy and how the power couple developed Desilu Productions until their eventual divorce.