Having A Ball

Having A Ball: The Audition

September 27th, 2021  |  40 mins 57 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, keith thibodeaux, let’s talk to lucy, little ricky, lucie arnaz, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

In this week's episode, the hosts discuss the episode that was inspired by the pilot episode of 'I Love Lucy', 'The Audition'. They discuss the differences and similarities between the pilot and this episode as it is also inspired by the radio episode of My Favorite Husband. There are so many outdated thoughts that are touched upon such as the place of a man and a woman, the lack of encouragement from the husband to his wife to try something new and how this show's premise was used as the Arnaz' vaudevillian roadshow.
They discuss how long it took for Lucille Ball to learn the routine performed in this episode and how greatly her physical comedy came alive!

Having A Ball: Keith Thibodeaux- Little RIcky

September 20th, 2021  |  55 mins 26 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, keith thibodeaux, let’s talk to lucy, little ricky, lucie arnaz, lucille ball, nicole kidman, rick nineg, the lucy show, vivian vance, william frawley

The hosts chat with child actor and ‘Little Ricky’ on I Love Lucy, Keith Thibodeaux.
Keith was beloved as the son of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the much loved program and later, went on to play Johnny Paul Jason on The Andy Griffith Show.
Keith started his career at a very young age playing drums professionally at only 3 years old traveling and eventually getting the role that changed his life.
He discusses his time on the show, his relationships with Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and their children.
Most importantly, Keith discusses the huge role God plays in his life since becoming a born again Christian, meeting his wife, playing with his band (David and the Giants), forgiving his father and mending that relationship and opening up a ballet school dedicated to dancing for Christ. Truly an inspiring story from a man who went through a lost patch and came out the other side with grace.

Having A Ball: Frank Nelson Spotlight

September 15th, 2021  |  22 mins 19 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bob hope, classic tv, classic tv shows, comedy, desi arnaz, desilu, desilu productions, ethel mertz, frank nelson, 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

In this episode, the hosts highlight the career and many 'Lucy' appearances of veteran actor and voiceover extraordinaire, Frank Nelson. His career spanned 6 decades with his iconic voice and hilarious "Yeeessss" born from his Jack Benny program days to his countless I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband cameos.

Having A Ball: The Quiz Show

September 13th, 2021  |  43 mins 33 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 episode 5 of Season 1, The Quiz Show. In this recap, the concepts of the place of a woman or the intelligence of a woman is very much questioned and doubted in this particular episode. We meet Freddy FIlmore (played by spotlight topic, Frank Nelson) for the first time in the I Love Lucy franchise and the game show "prize" that is presented. In retrospect with 2021 eyes and ears, this episode stands out as very outdated but Lucille's comedic abilities shine extra bright!

Having A Ball: Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying To Murder Her

September 7th, 2021  |  50 mins 28 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 episode 4 of Season 1 'Lucy thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her' and the intense title and premise of the episode. Since this is early in season one, there are many changes and upgrades to future episodes.
Discussed is also the idea of slipping one's wife a 'mickey' when she is too anxious or to calm her down and how today something so intense and almost criminal would be frowned upon or even protested against.
Lucille's physical comedic ability is on full display in this episode.

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

September 2nd, 2021  |  7 mins 43 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

In this review of 'Let's Talk to Lucy', the hosts start off talking about a story Lucille tells about a bird attack in her own Beverly Hills backyard which reminded them of the fear of birds she carried from childhood.

She is then joined by her interview subject, actress and singer, Sheila MacRae and they discuss her homelife and career and tour life while missing her children. Lucy discusses nurturing the talent and enthusiasm of her own children and how she feels about them joining the family business.

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: 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!