Desi Arnaz guest stars on ALICE w Linda Lavin - 1978

Arnaz made a guest appearance on the TV series Alice, starring Linda Lavin and produced by I Love Lucy writers Madelyn Pugh (Madelyn Davis) and Bob Carroll, Jr. This episode is directed by William Asher, who was the director on 'I LOVE LUCY', which starred Desi Arnaz along with his real-life wife Lucille Ball. Asher directed more than 100 episodes of 'I Love Lucy'. Desi Arnaz must have felt very much at home on this set while filming ALICE.
TV Series 'Alice' also starred: Beth Howland, Polly Holliday, and Vic Tayback.
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"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@mukbangsareawesome6335]

People dont realize half the comedy of I Love Lucy was Desi Arnaz. This was wonderful to see.

[@ruego-qj7bt]

How do you know ' _people don't realize_ ' that?

[@mukbangsareawesome6335]

@@ruego-qj7bt It's called a personal opinion and a figure of speech. His comedy is underrated.

[@jaythor70]

@@mukbangsareawesome6335 While I agree with you that he was funny, if it's your personal opinion, your "figure of speech" is inaccurate.

[@mukbangsareawesome6335]

@@jaythor70 I wasnt demanding people agree with me. I was trying to convey that MANY people dont realize or dont factor in

[@jaythor70]

@@mukbangsareawesome6335 It is your opinion that his comedy was underrated. We all got that, and agree with you. The fact that you keep saying MANY people is where you are making an unsubstantiated claim.

[@philhatfield8905]

It was rare for Desi Arnaz to make a TV appearance after "I Love Lucy" was over, so it was always a treat to see him. I wish he had done more because he still had 'it.'

[@johndavis3921]

Mr. Hatfield, According to the Internet Movie Database, Mr. Arnaz Concentrated mostly on producing. He produced 2,487 episodes of TV including some films. This total DOES NOT include the shows he produced while working on "I Love Lucy". On Mar 14, 1974, Mr. Arnaz Guest Started on an Episode of Ironside entitled "Riddle at 24,000". It was created as a backdoor pilot for a NEW Fictional Mystery Investigative series. NBC Decided to Pass on the show.

[@bbtfan4617]

He was a businessman first, a performer second.

[@experimentaltvextv6538]

@@bbtfan4617 Womanizer first.

[@danielmoore2320]

Not the writer's for Alice was also a writer for I love Lucy Desi Arnez did it as a favor

[@Vejur9000]

One of the kings of comedy and television... is Desi

[@gmoneyslotmachinevideos]

I always love when he says “all I need is 5 minutes to splain” 😂😂😂

[@julievanderleest]

I have watched I Love Lucy for as long as I can remember and every once in a while I will talk the same way. I tend to have an accent that comes out.🤪

[@tnelson4593]

Even in his older years Desi could still act. He played the character well. Very talented.

[@m.coldsmithbriggs9259]

We all got robbed of Desi's acting talent when we never got to see 'The Desi Arnaz Show'. Can you imagine how great that would have been?

[@stebaer]

@@m.coldsmithbriggs9259 Yes that I can imagine how great that it would've been.

[@billthecat666]

More credit should be given to Desi for his innovations in TV show production. I love Lucy still holds up today.

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Agree! Interesting you mention that, I was just talking to my brother earlier today, in fact, about the Dumont 3-camera system from back in the 50's, which I believe originated with I love Lucy thanks to Desi.

[@keythdanielsen5533]

Didn’t he pioneer the 3 camera method of filming? And thankfully saved the episodes filmed for rerun later. We’ve been enjoying I Love Lucy for 70+ years since.

[@blainenodes8182]

Deep down my ? Is Desi fought for every innovation in tv land🧠

[@kennethraymondmoore]

Everything still holds up today because fundamentally people never change. That's why people still read The Iliad and the Odyssey after over two thousand years of publication.

[@beeenn649]

Desi was a great patriot too, he loved this country.

[@johndalton3180]

Directed by Bill Asher and produced by William Carroll and Madeleine Davis. Desi must've felt right at home!

[@retroguy9494]

AND its like he could have been talking to Ethel about Lucy! If I close my eyes while listening, I would think it was an episode from I Love Lucy!

[@johndalton3180]

@@retroguy9494 funny. And true.

[@retroguy9494]

@@johndalton3180 😁👍

[@andredupuis5461]

Agreed.

[@scotnick59]

YES!

[@fuzzfrancis435]

Loved that theme song. Linda sure could sing!

[@andredupuis5461]

Yes

[@2Hearts3]

Movie-- "Muppets take Manhattan" Linda Lavin is so funny as Kermit's doctor. Very cute movie-- all ages love it 😄

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Yes indeed! Probably one of my favorite TV themes from that era, but for that show I really only prefer the early season theme which this is, don't really care for the later ones. They certainly had the reverb turned up for this one, didn't they :)

[@kaledafif7972]

And she's super sexy!!!

[@erinmeggik391]

Great show from a simpler era. I miss Mel, Flo, Alice and crew. No more. 📺 shows like that nowadays

[@risacat2046]

I always thought Desi Arnaz had a good sense of humor. I love Lucy is one of the funniest shows and I still watch it to this day

[@2Hearts3]

Saw an interview once where Lucy said Desi was the one who knew what was funny more than she did.

[@MrCJ-qz9dl]

@@2Hearts3 l also thot he was funnier than Lucy. I also heard his daughter said too.

[@keythdanielsen5533]

I’ve been a lifelong fan and I’m 67. Can watch the Job Switching and Vitameatavegamin episodes and laugh all over again.

[@MicheleMJJ]

Desi was ahead of his time. He was very handsome and talented.

[@JohnLee-pt5jz]

Alice is a great show, wasn't the same when Polly Holiday left.

[@kenlompart9905]

Her show Flo wasn't much good either.

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

I think we all missed Flo telling Mel to "kiss my grits!"

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

@@kenlompart9905 They should've let her back.

[@kenlompart9905]

@@EnterpriseNCC-1701 Apparently her and Linda Lavin didn't get along which is why she didn't come back.

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

@@kenlompart9905 Too bad. A lot of those 70's sitcoms had very interesting behind-the-scenes drama that still resonate today.

[@justinepurdham7128]

I used to love this show! Never seen this episode with Desi though! Great memories 👌 ❤

[@josefelpeto1825]

Same here. Loved the show and never saw this episode.

[@kenlompart9905]

I know, I watched it every week when I was a kid and later in reruns and I don't remember Desi Arnaz being on it.

[@Brentstarga]

This is like the Mandela effect! I’ve never seen this episode but I watched this show a lot back in the day!

[@jeffmay7358]

I haven't seen this episode and didn't know Desi guest starred. Wow! And I used to watch Alice quite often.

[@julioalcaraz5417]

What a great and funny episode. 1st time seeing it.

[@bejoyful]

Wonderful to see Desi; wish there were more scenes of him!

[@kylearcher1451]

Alice was the first show I was hooked on… I was only 5 but watched it EVERY Sunday night!!! Still love it!

[@versuskid4232]

I always watched just to hear Flo say “ Kiss my grit’s!” even though she didn’t say it all time on every episode still one of my 70’s favorites.

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

Lol. So did I Kyle!!!

[@EnterpriseNCC-1701]

@@versuskid4232 Kiss my grits!!! An underrated one linear.😆😆😆

[@ralphkramden2089]

Me too!!

[@VBN59Z]

You have terrible taste in television 📺 🤮

[@angelodelacuesta3882]

I watched all these shows in my teens, im 59 now but I will always carry these shows in my heart.gobless all these fine actors & actresses that made & still make our lives a little better.some gone but never forgotten.

[@raultrespalacios3523]

Wonderful memories!!! Always loved Desi Arnaz ❤ 🙏

[@ericholck3914]

Hard to believe this was only 20 years after "I Love Lucy" ended. Desi seems so much older here, and it was pretty rare for him to make TV appearances even though he was only around 60. I believe he only acted in one more film role after this.

[@seabreeze9296]

being married to a heartless, mentally abusive, lying, self centered chain smoking b***h like Lucille Ball would be enough to age anybody

[@phxmateo]

the heavy smoking and drinking took its toll. it was 8 years later he died of lung cancer.

[@lyndawilliams4570]

He said Lucy was the love of his life”😢 I don’t think he ever got over her

[@hmm-zoolol]

​@@lyndawilliams4570 They still loved each other to the end.😊😊

[@trentaccid2177]

Desi created the 3 camera shooting system of filming tv shows starting with I Love Lucy that alone makes him a legend. I met Desi when I was younger after he did the Merv Griffin Show and he was just the nicest person you could meet. Without Desi Lucy would not have become what she was.

[@pollypurree1834]

He was supposed to be like the character on Alice in real life which is why Lucy dumped him

[@georgemaster689]

How cool is this? Having Desi Arnaz,Sr.on this show is terrific.

[@tron3entertainment]

Can't believe they are all gone except for Linda Lavin. Even Tommy.

[@mattandrews3874]

Polly Holiday is still alive.

[@hmm-zoolol]

Tommy was a surprise.😢

[@gjmaztr7]

glad actress Linda Lavin returned the favor for the legendry Desi Arnaz Jr by starring in the 2021/22 'Meet the Ricardos' film as a female Screen play writer on the 'I love Lucy' show.

[@jaythor70]

"Returned the favor"- you mean took a job to make money? She certainly didn't work for free, nor has she been booming in her acting career in TV and movies since Alice.

[@laquetaworley4791]

I loved Alice back in the late 70s And I still love it💕 ❤️

[@jittaun248]

Loved Desi. I wish he had continued acting.

[@bertaalvarez8134]

Desi Arnaz trailblazer..Entrepreneur..Visionary

[@retroguy9494]

He continued singing instead

[@williamschlemmer5282]

If it wasn't for Lucy he'd be nothing

[@michelewitt2285]

Me too

[@missmarymary6506]

@@williamschlemmer5282 absolutely NOT..he is the first to use film not celluloid to tape shows he was an amazing producer and director...he was not an actor...just like Elvis was not an actor...he is the one who gave Lucy her time to shine...both were great in their respective fields. Lucy Arnez Did write in her book and in many interviews that her Father was the loving nuturing one. .her mother loved her but was all about work .

[@JustAThought155]

Do it Desi!!! Nice! The old team united for this one! Very nice!!!

[@JayDogTitan-he6wo]

Alice was one of the best TV shows ever, I absolutely loved Linda Lavin. Alice pulled a Lucy with the "Chic bones," lol.

[@andredupuis5461]

Yes

[@jaythor70]

And the "dessel" he was going to throw himself under...

[@christopherkraft1327]

Good ol' Desi Arnaz, thanks for sharing this fun video 👍👍

[@bettyschneider5268]

I was 22 yrs old! Good times in 1978! Alice's Restaurant! 🏪🏨⛪🏫🏠🏡🕺🏻💃🏻👯🚶🏃🏻🎩👔👞👞💼👒👗👠👠👜👙👕👖👟👟🎽

[@digigroovestudios]

Desi Arnaz is Master Class in acting. His flow is so natural. Great scene..

[@austinevans8131]

I love my old sitcoms I use to watch this as a teenager with re runs of Mary Tyler Moore show in the late 70's life is so bad now that these shows make u feel homey and family feeling

[@hmm-zoolol]

Yes, comfort shows.😊

[@patrickpassanante8685]

This was a great clip! Essentially, Desi, was playing himself!

[@jaredjlinden]

This was the first moment when I realized that Lucy and Desi were divorced. I asked my mom why he was with this other woman instead of Lucy on this show, and my mother explained that he and Lucy divorced. Now, it might have just been simpler to explain to me that it was an entirely different show.

[@imeldatrejo911]

He always had it, R.I .P. dear Desi 🙏🏻 Fly high up there 🕊️ 🪽🕯️ you will always be missed 😢 p.s. “ Mira que tiene cosa la mujer loca esta “

[@julievanderleest]

Wow this was a treat to watch! I have never heard of this show, nor did I realize Desi made guest appearances in other shows. He was such a great actor. I have been a lifelong fan of I Love Lucy. I wish I would have been alive to see the live shows or even meet the actors. They all passed before I was born.😔

[@chrisshenzo2594]

Desi wasn't just an innovator and nationally beloved entertainer, he was the Capital "L" in "Legend"!

[@charliedelacruz9091]

both Diane Ladd and Vic tayback played their original roles of Flo and Mel in Alice doesn't live here anymore(1974) in which Ellen burstyn won the Oscar for best actress for her role as alice.

[@missmarymary6506]

Polly holiday played Flo.. Diane Ladd came. On as a different character after Polly left for her own spin off Flo

[@BamaFan-vc4gn]

@Miss Mary Mary this commentary is referring to the movie "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore", not the series. Diane Ladd replaced Polly holiday in the series and reprised her role as Flo.

[@missmarymary6506]

@@BamaFan-vc4gn but she didn't realize her tile as Flo..her name was Belle...I understand she was Flo in the Movie Alice doesn't live here anymore..however the role she played in the TV series was Belle...They didn't replace the actress who ayed Flo with another actress to play Flo...she was an entirely different character...Diane Ladd was Flo in the movie...but Belle in the series....there is a difference

[@BrotherDerrick3X]

Vic Tayback was the only one who reprised his role from the original movie. Diane Ladd played a different role.

[@BrotherDerrick3X]

Vic Tayback was the only one who reprised his role from the original movie. Diane Ladd played a different role.

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

I always loved this show! Great comedy!!!

[@erikh9991]

Now wonder why this was so good, it's William Asher!! Bewitched!! I think I Love Lucy too.

[@writeonbetty7835]

🇨🇺🇺🇸 As a Cuban-American, I am deeply proud of this man, who never received the recognition for his talents & contribution to television entertainment. He was an innovator, pioneer, visionary, musician, actor, executive producer, an American soldier during WWII, and a loving father. We Love You DESI ♥️

[@PatriotSteve]

I disagree. He was a megastar and very popular.

[@kuiipoluokalani2471]

I loooovvvveee this episode. I used to watch this show when I had antenna TV back in Virginia

[@johndean4727]

where in Virginia.

[@kuiipoluokalani2471]

@@johndean4727 I used to live in Virginia Beach

[@ecftube]

@@kuiipoluokalani2471 Portsmouth VA here

[@kuiipoluokalani2471]

@@ecftube P town 😊

[@thespiritmessage]

I know you would never see a joke like that today, but I love that Alice pulled a Lucy with poking fun at his accent 5:51

[@keythdanielsen5533]

Desi was a very patriotic American who loved his adopted country. Cubans tend to be that way. Unlike the flotsam floating up from Mexico.

[@cecegiles7286]

@@keythdanielsen5533 rude

[@keythdanielsen5533]

@@cecegiles7286 Your comment?

[@VictorMartinez-mp2ml]

Desi Arnaz was excellent with his comic skill as well as innovative production talent.

[@billymatthews7346]

Miss all those good (CBS) 👁 sitcoms, those times in life were wonderful….thank you for these….BCM’

[@julesa2894]

That was likely how Desi was in real life. Lol. PERFECT 😉

[@bennetfox]

Alice was such an awesome show, it's such a shame that most of the seasons have been lost to time.

[@StevenBarryVideos]

The show 'Alice' is not lost to time. You can buy the entire show on dvd. I checked eBay just now. Search for: Alice Complete TV Series Seasons 1-6

[@robertfishman3742]

It’s still shown in syndication.

[@tigerlilly573]

​@@robertfishman3742 Where?

[@m.coldsmithbriggs9259]

Desi Arnaz had an impeccable memory,......not only did he know his lines, but everyone else's lines in the scene they were in.

[@JonnyHolms]

Hard to believe that this was 45 years ago, remember watching this like it was yesterday...

[@jennifershelton2204]

I love this show, thank you so much for sharing. I totally forgot about it.

[@bertaalvarez8134]

God bless them all!! #ClassicTV#ClassicActors

[@Tricia2023]

Omg I still know the theme song word for word 😳 Holy crap ! Lol Used to watch this show every week as a kid ❤️ Damm I’m old lol

[@joeschmoe373]

Me too...but somehow I never managed to get old.

[@Tricia2023]

@@joeschmoe373 Lol 😂 Give me your secret lol

[@joeschmoe373]

@@Tricia2023 Freaky young genes. It's my Romanian ancestry. 😏

[@retroguy9494]

Same here. Only in my mind I'm still young. But my health issues push me FAR forward from where I REALLY am!

[@holyexperience1976]

@@joeschmoe373 We get elder but we do not have to ever be old. It is all about our spirit, not our body. Many people body change when they are under 18, or born with major challenges. I am weeks from 64, oh, I mean, 46, and still keep a youthful attitide. My son shall never have an old mom. Just elder, as getting elder is a part of life.

[@stephenr3910]

I remember seeing him on "Alice" and incorrectly thought he was on more episodes than he actually was. Lucy writers Bob and Madelyn were also writers for this show.

[@toddmartin6572]

Gotta love desi.. he was awesome

[@Sbmom1018]

He was! There will never be another Desi!

[@williamphillips6049]

Never realized before how much talent Desi Arnaz had for comedy. Lucille Ball got most of the credit. He was a typical latino . . actually he wasn't typical at all.

[@illnsp08]

Haven't seen this before. Thks fr posting!

[@valentinrobert1192]

Me either never known Desi was in Alice but saw boss hogg in Alice ill wish this was full show he was good actor for a guy play drum sing Babalu left Cuba to Come to America with no money made It big

[@tholian_web]

This was so great to watch. Thank you very much. The other day I watched Desi when he hosted Saturday Night Live. One of the best episodes ever!

[@miekel8663]

I’m going to watch that. What season?

[@halfdome5705]

The fine script was co-written by Arthur Marx, Groucho's son.

[@retroguy9494]

True!

[@pokergalpoker]

If only he didn't do so much molding in real life but who doesn't love Desi. He was so so cute, even older. I hope he's back with that famous red head we ALL LOVE!

[@eddiemunster4094]

Ahh memories of watching this with my family 😌

[@badgerden7080]

R.I.P. Philip McKeon. I'll always remember Tommy.

[@X7393]

I still like this classic tv show! 😎

[@user-wk1up2tb4p]

I LOVE DESI!! SURE MISS HIM.

[@janicemylett2649]

I loved this show and I love Lucy show too! A RELATIVE told me I am a blood relative of Lucille Ball. It is exciting!

[@mackermaldrill2656]

I love the theme song. I forgot how good it was.

[@retroguy9494]

"Throw myself under a dessel!" 😂🤣

[@herbertgeddies1844]

Desi Arnaz revolutionized television he was more than a normal human being on this earth shows being recorded in front of a live studio audience was his idea and we have reruns on TV because of him he used film to record the I love Lucy episodes we owe him so much a genius Desilu gave us star trek and mission impossible

[@andredupuis5461]

True

[@jaythor70]

He was also part of the first "mixed" marriage on TV as a Cuban married to a white woman.

[@davidpage3893]

He also started the use of filming with 3 cameras. When the episode was done filming the footage from the 3 cameras were edited in the correct sequence takes to complete that episode for broadcast. Desi Arnaz would be amazed to see digital filming and editing that wasn’t available when he was directing.

[@jw77019]

I remember watching this episode during original run. This was a very popular show on Sunday nights.

[@PoliticalJunky101]

These were the days.

[@NightSky0417]

Love Alice and the theme song!!

[@user-py8xw5bk1s]

RIP 🪦 VicTayback, Philip Mckeon, Desi Arnaz, Beth Howland, & Marvin Kaplan ✝️

[@KarinLower]

😢

[@joeyfiesta1]

You can thank Desi Arnaz, and only Desi Arnaz for creating the standard to this day for taping live, comedy shows. He never got one accolade or award during the I Love Lucy run.

[@user-sh9du2nv5y]

What a treat to see a true TV legand still have that charm even in a different decade.

[@peoniesandlilacs9414]

She sings so good. Love her voice.

[@stebaer]

It's very interesting how here Desi as Paco on Alice like when he's Ricky Ricardo he makes a mess of when he speaks his English I also recall when I'd first seen this episode on CBS on a Sunday night in The Summer of 1978.

[@kylearcher1451]

Alice’s car they towed away, was a 1968-69 Ford LTD Country Squire.

[@retroguy9494]

Yea bruh....piece of junk! Even in 1978! LOL

[@frothe42]

1969 Country Squire.

[@evinkleinman6052]

Kyle. No one cares about the car hillbilly!

[@dalededen]

Hilarious. He should have gotten a show after this. This was great

[@PonderousProse]

I agree in that he was good in this episode, but this was about seven or eight years before he died, and he was already ill. So, I don't think he could've carried a show of his own at that point. Ten years before? Perhaps.

[@robertkahan3826]

So true! He was hilarious and charming, as he has always been. I was staring to see if he was using cue cards but I didn’t notice it once. Thx for the post.

[@DianaLayne]

@@robertkahan3826 I believe Desi had a photographic memory.

[@robertkahan3826]

@@DianaLayne Yes, you’re right! I remember reading that about him.

[@marthay.higuera9723]

@@PonderousProse Desi suffered from diverticulitis & had several surgeries for this.

[@m.coldsmithbriggs9259]

Let's face it,....we all wanted The Desi Arnaz Show,......but never got one. He would have done very well.

[@gildersleevefan67]

Sort of like when Sonny and Cher went their separate ways at first, with their own variety shows and then got back together to do their own show again, even though they were divorced.

[@TheSmokey999]

I was 9 yrs old and I remember and loved this show .

[@wny9521]

It would have funny when Desi saw Flow if he said he likes tall funny redheads! I cant believe they didnt think of or put that in the lines.

[@Kgio-2112]

Good ole days. Gone forever

[@PlumbPitiful]

This is going to sound weird but after seeing this clip I think the Desi would have been great playing the part of Al on Quantum Leap had he still been alive. Anyone who has seen that show would be familiar with that character brilliantly brought to life by the late Dean Stockwell.

[@brettedgar6733]

THIS EPISODE WAS TRULY BRUTAL TO WATCH.

[@sauluribe7082]

Anyone reminded of I Love Lucy where the four of them tried owning a diner?

[@johncocchia210]

A little bit of Cuba. I loved Ricky's sayings like you fixed your sheets and blankets so go take a nap. Or don't burn your chickens behind you.

[@sauluribe7082]

@@johncocchia210 that's what he was gonna rename Mel's diner as. Forgot that name.

[@jodiross1902]

Priceless talent🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️❤️💯

[@puppylove422]

aw, they're all so cute :D . Very precious. 😭

[@jaredharris1970]

Most of those people have passed already I remember this show when I was little thank god for the internet or shows like this would be a distant memory

[@rambo4war]

Had forgot about this show…….the KZbin gods are feeling nostalgic tonight

[@davidtaylor328]

This Video is GOLD !!! 👍🏻🪙👍🏻

[@willman9567]

Tv was so much better back then.

[@2sassy324you]

Love this show

[@helenbradford2569]

I miss seeing this show.

[@RealEstateDad68]

I love Desi! I watched Alice feverless and never saw this episode. Love it.

[@RSTAR2009]

I used to enjoy watching this show

[@derick-smith]

I'm so glad to see this comment section filled with love for Desi. The phrase "ahead of their time" is used too loosely for most but it fits for Desi Arnaz

[@hennpaul]

RIP Philip.

[@harperstacey9604]

Philip McKeon was the brother of Nancy McKeon who played Jo on the the facts of life. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@stebaer]

@@harperstacey9604 :Yes I even recall when one of my Sister's even told me/pointed this out one night when we were watching Alice.

[@rebeccamartinez4832]

I missed this episode. I was only 10 years old at the time.

[@mht5875]

Loved watching Alice!

[@kenyagreene5477]

Great show. I love reruns. I want even born yet

[@Drummerchick2003]

Not surprising he would work with William Asher again.

[@Lisa-pb3qp]

I Love Lucy is such an iconic show and Ricky Ricardo was an huge part of its success. Looking back now at Desi as an older man makes him so human and relatable. I think. 😌

[@rosieb9]

❤ this was so long ago. 😊

[@cualpha06]

Automatic like for this one...Desi Arnaz!

[@markholtz5538]

I loved the Lucy movie when Ricky tells Lucy it was ok because he was with Huuukers!

[@donovanshannon1234]

This used to be my show on Sunday nights