Having A Ball

Having A Ball: 70th Anniversary Special- I Love Lucy

October 15th, 2021  |  44 mins 9 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

October 15, 1951- I Love Lucy debuted on televisions across America catapulting itself and its actors to superstardom and icon status. 70 years later, we celebrate the juggernaut starring Lucile Ball as Lucille Esmeralda McGillicuddy Ricardo "Lucy", Desi Arnaz as Enrique Alberto Fernando y de Acha Ricardo III "Ricky", Vivian Vance as Ethel Mae Potter Mertz (or Ethel Louise or Etherl Roberta) William Frawley as Frederick Hobart Mertz "Fred" and Keith Thibedeaux as "Little Ricky".
The hosts speak with Lucy-related social media page holders, Breanna (@lovedesilu on Instagram), Kalley (@lucilleball_fan on Instagram) and Laura from The Lucy Lounge (@TheLucyLounge on Instagram and TheLucyLounge.Com website)
They discuss their love of all things Lucy and how their individual endeavors came to be.
After all these years, we still love Lucy!

Having A Ball: The Seance

October 11th, 2021  |  41 mins 25 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 Season 1, Episode 7 "The Seance". In this episode, numerology and astrology are the main focus of decision-making for Lucy and Ethel and the topic of superstition and beliefs of such theories and how they shape our thinking is compared. In this episode is where we first hear a few of the "risque" lines uttered in the show.
We also meet Mr. Merriweather played by (Jay Novello) who they need to impress by staging a séance to communicate with Tilly. The hosts also discuss the surprising superstition Lucille Ball believed in and the life changing push Carole Lombard provided in a dream to encourage her to take on television.

Having A Ball: Robert Stein, HBO Producer

October 4th, 2021  |  56 mins 45 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 episode, Erika talks to award-winning HBO producer of on-air marketing and creative services, Robert Stein. Robert had the pleasure of meeting Lucille Ball on a couple of occasions and he discusses those experiences and what she was like in person and how gracefully she handled herself. One of those times was being assigned to help Ms. Ball as she prepared to go on to speak at the Night Of A Hundred Stars 2 in 1985.
Stein himself being a longtime fan of Lucille and I Love Lucy, also chats about the impact I Love Lucy has had in television history, his own trip to Jamestown, NY and all the memorabilia he has collected along the way.
Robert also discusses his time producing and overseeing for 'The Buzz' and 'HBO First Look' as well as a documentary based on the life of his friend, actor James Gandolfini.

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

September 29th, 2021  |  6 mins 37 secs

being the ricardos, beverly hillbillies, bing crosby, 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 episode , the hosts review 'Let's Talk to Lucy' with guest Bing Crosby. Much like the majority of these episodes, there's an eavesdropping element to this conversation as two very long time friends discuss Crosby's holiday signature song and Christmas staple, 'White Christmas'. They discuss retirement and Bing's love of golf. Lucille and Crosby go way back in their friendship and he was even on the Bing Crosby Show via Desilu Productions and CBS Paramount Television.

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.