Joan Rivers, Lucille Ball, Nancy Reagan, Michele Lee Interview - 10/30/1986

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976
"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."

[@ClarkRahman]

Lucy should be an example to every young person in how to conduct themself. I was born in 1990 and she has been my role model since at least age two.

[@frankcheers7529]

"Did they frisk you? I asked for them to frisk me," Lucy. That was quick and sharp. Lucy was no B.S. which I respect.

[@drewdeflon4497]

Joan. So brilliant. RIP. You will never be forgotten

[@TheVerbalVolley]

I met Michelle Lee backstage after a Kitty Carlisle Hart concert. She was quite engaging, but did not try to step into the spotlight in any way. I said "Hello" to her, and she gave me this big smile and returned my greeting. She came across as quite engaging and authentic.

[@DOLPHINLADYFOXandPUP]

"no matter where you point on me the answer is, NO!" gotta love Joan for being real!!!

[@KajiXD]

That line, that timing. Legendary.

[@danielharrison6470]

She got a big genuine laugh from Lucy for that one.

[@sled_dog]

I played in a band that played for Mrs. Reagan in DC for a Just Say No Fundraiser. It was truly an honor to do so.

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

You should have used Nancy's head as the drumkit J.R.

[@cjb8010]

@@punkanellylovejoy702 poor you.

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

@@cjb8010 poor poor pitiful me

[@Sarahlynn1304]

This is the most amazing episode of Joan rivers ever! First the amazing Nancy Reagan, Joan just gets her comfy and settling right in to the adorable story of how Nancy and Ronald met. Then we move into two old friends talking and making each other laugh…. Seriously Joan and Lucy could have their own show together. Best episode ever!! ❤️

[@zephyr332]

I'm so happy to see this footage has been restored. This very same interview was here on KZbin before but it looked like something that was recorded off an old VHS tape - the sound was all muffled, the color was off and the tracking was shaky. This looks and sounds so much more clear.

[@apgx6032]

Watching this in 2021 makes me long for the good old days when everyone had their own unique personality, funny but classy.

[@rhodamackenzie1105]

I love Lucy's laugh! It is so deep and genuine.

[@MrJoeyBionic]

"Just Say No"...I remember the jokes about it. I grew up in the 1970s and, like Nancy, I didn't know about most of it; however, I did know about some. This was way before Nancy's campaign, but what stopped me from taking drugs when I was a teenager was in 1973 or 1974 I was allowed to stay up to watch "Go Ask Alice" on television. It was a made-for-television movie and at the time I was nine or ten years old. Remember, in those days there were thirteen channels and three networks. Each network showed a "Movie Of The Week" . One movie on one night; sometimes a theatrical film from five years ago; sometimes an original made-for-tv movie. "Go Ask Alice" made a huge impact on me at that young age. A few years later in my teenage years I would be offered to take this or take that or smoke this or smoke that, it was the mid to late 70s; but I never did because all I could think of and remember is "Go Ask Alice"....you can't, she's dead.

[@FriendofRamblinJack]

O my gosh, dear: ME TOO. That and when Sally Field did "Maybe I'll Come Home In The Spring." People glamorize the life and it's just pure evil straight from Lucifer. God bless you for what you said.

[@dharmaofdog7676]

@@lookupyourredemptiondrawsn7285 Nope. FIELD, no "s"

[@SamAsm367]

I remember the jokes about "Just Say No," too. I was a child and didn't get the punchline. I grew up in the 1980s and saw what drugs were doing to the community and what it did to people. Crack vials and glass pipes on the sidewalk. Crackheads in the street. I was a child. I thought of Nancy Reagan's message and said no.

[@laurarush]

that Go Ask Alice movie was so riveting my gosh it was unbelievable. scary. you know what I mean

[@OhSankYouDoktor]

Now that's a guest list!

[@anyhowe2702]

I enjoy how genuinly Lucille Ball always laughed.

[@MovieJon]

Joan was a wonderful chat show host. You could tell she truly listened intently and drew out great anecdotes & information from her guests. She deserved better success in that realm than she wound up with. (At least the daytime show was a better experience.)

[@LuvTadnDixie]

Lucy took the bad reviews and the cancellation of Life With Lucy hard. She felt like the public didn't want her anymore. Three years later, when she was in the hospital, right before she passed away, she got so many letters and gifts from the public telling her to get well soon and wishing her a speedy recovery and sending her so much love. She must have known because she was doing well in the hospital at first so I'm sure she knew that the public still loved her.

[@josephmarchione7767]

We will ALL love Lucy...Nancy Reagan and her war on drugs that has cost us Millions of lives...well screw her!

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

Oh she knew, shortly before Lucy's death she attended the Oscars and came onstage with Bob Hope and they got a nice looooong standing ovation. Oh trust me she knew that she still had 100s of millions of fans and a special place In history as the original and only Queen of television comedy. And you can find the standing ovation and the exchange between Bob and Lucy at the Oscars here on KZbin

[@LuvTadnDixie]

@@punkanellylovejoy702 Yes! That was her last public appearance. The Oscars were the end of March and she died in April. She was a legend.

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

@@LuvTadnDixie yep

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

Carol Burnett would come in second but a very distant second, Lucy and the I love Lucy Show WAS television in itself. That show helped to make television (and even the purchase of television sets) much more popular

[@suzanneberger8202]

Loved Lucy in the I love Lucy Show! Great woman!

[@gazepskotzs4]

Lol, the entrance Lucie Ball made, hahaha! I did not see that one coming, probably the most funny entrance ever. Joan loved people with a no bullshit attitude, which was clearly visable on her face! Epic!

[@colleta2400]

As a healthcare provider My gratitude and praise to Nancy for bringing attention to addiction....very sad she met resistance because it was politicized resulting in funding battles. If only...if only...and what if?

[@destineydevereux4722]

As a healthcare worker you should be concerned that she and her senile husband denied any help for aids people letting hundreds of thousands die because of their homophobia!!

[@patriciajohnson3017]

Interviews with great questions and thoughtful answers. Not like the last 5 years of daily lies hatred anger and ugliness.

[@JS-eq3tt]

Thank you for the post. I love them both.

[@ericindallas5293]

Lucille Ball was Total Class! Love her!

[@rubberdc]

Nancy Reagan was so naturally relaxed I felt when she was being interviewed by Joan, she seems as if she was talking to a friend .I hadnt ever seen Nancy or heard her voice , she seemed like real nice lady .

[@Mister_Listener]

Ask Patti Davis about getting beaten by Nancy as a kid.

[@624radicalham]

It took a while for Nancy to get relaxed. She was uncomfortable at the start. Joan Rivers managed to make her feel at ease.

[@Mister_Listener]

@Merray Jones hehe. Why? Patti Davis wrote a book about Nancy, and I tend to believe Patti, that’s all. Nancy is fake and her JUST SAY NO war on drugs was racist claptrap status quo bullshit. Authoritarian people tend to act differently when nobody is watching…Patti says Nancy was an absolute monster. Who are you going to believe?

[@Mister_Listener]

@Merray Jones Ronald and Nancy Reagan are responsible for countless deaths in the AIDS epidemic and the failed war on drugs. They did NOTHING but mock gay people when hundreds were dying. If you think people like that are admirable it is because of your own shortcomings...dont lecture me on why i should only say nice things in youtube comments about these two monsters when history and even their own kids have verified their horrible-ness. Presidents dont have the luxury of escaping judgment, especially the bad ones and your hostility towards me is extremely inappropriate. Get a life.

[@sebastian19739]

Yes if only her policies had been kind.

[@jakre10]

This really shows how things have changed. Nancy Reagan says marijuana should not be legalized. Now look at our country. And all the years she looked after the President while he was ill. She really was a marvelous person.

[@suzanneberger8202]

Sadly PC and youth today have different values and do not read, research facts and therefore are so gullible. The ignorant will remain so, so long as they do not research and want to know more! Knowledge is a great weapon!

[@viviennecreamsicle1061]

@@suzanneberger8202 well tbh youth today as I am part of it.. is actually quite smart maybe a little to smart as so many can manipulate media and ruin careers with cancel culture as any generation has never been able to

[@Nikezic72]

@@suzanneberger8202 yeah, knowledge is a great weapon. So you have elected Trump with that knowledge.

[@megababy80]

The First Lady Nancy Reagan was so eloquent and a perfect wife, I always thought, how much they cared about each other. When the President died, I recall seeing her just caressing his casket for what seemed like a long time.

[@msplacebo-246]

Yes, what an absolutely charming lady she was!

[@rhodamackenzie1105]

She was a control freak.

[@johnpersechini4951]

This is so 80s. Love it.

[@Ellenllee]

Priceless. Thanks for posting.

[@maudeboggins9834]

I love Michele Lee. She is brilliant. We ought to see more of her on TV

[@websurfin9575]

Lucy speaks about feeling hesitant following 1st Lady Nancy Reagan.... Joan (so accurately) reply's, "No One Could Do It But You"!!

[@m.e.andonlym.e.772]

TWO trailblazing WOMEN!💜💜💜

[@truthprevails7085]

Enjoyed this, thank you!

[@DrMoorehen]

Thanks what a show! Love from the UK! xxx

[@akrenwinkle]

My favorite Nancy quote. A very early Reagan kerfuffle was when his administration reclassified ketchup as a vegetable to scrimp on free meals for poor school children; ketchup would meet the vegetable requirement. Someone managed to ask Nancy if she thought ketchup was a vegetable. Nancy: "Well, I know it's not meat." What seemed outrageous then is pretty tame now.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Not an intelligent person

[@lol365]

Joan once told the story of how Nancy Reagan got her husband's body released: “I said, ‘I can’t get Edgar’s body out of Philadelphia.’ She [Nancy] said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’ “The next day, his body came back to L.A. You don’t ever forget that, especially when the chips are down. She’s older now. I’m going to California next week, and I’ll see her.”

[@jenny6253]

I don’t know why but when I watch Lucy I get John Wayne vibes

[@rhodamackenzie1105]

It's the era. McCarthyism was rampant and she had to safeguard her career. John Wayne was HORRID and a member of the John Birch society.

[@bobbyheenan4061]

Wow, you can hear all those years of smoking cigarettes in Lucy's voice. Talk about something to "just say no" to.

[@wolfgangkleiber5759]

Reminds me of my mother in law: graceful, beautiful and smart

[@edwardanthony7283]

I was worried about Lucy's health coming back at 75 even if it was great to see her back on TV, via a non rerun!

[@steveroby413]

I'm a Democrat but who cares Nancy Reagan whas a class act Ronald also thank them both for keeping me safe growing up in early 80s it is what it is and I support them but I support Obama but go Regan's

[@DR-mq1vn]

I grew up in the 70s, was a teenager in the 80s. Yes, Nancy Reagan was a class act. Watching her on this video, I never realize how small and petite she was! Guess I never paid attention back then.

[@ashm7922]

Its so interesting looking at the Reagans in their prime. I come from a very Democratic family, but my parents and grandparents all voted for Reagan and even when you look at the elections, he won by 30 million votes.

[@eemoogee160]

Yeah. Shame his economics wrecked the middle class and brought us to where we are now.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Too Bad -

[@cherissef5297]

Especially now that I am 60, I just cannot believe that Lucy was criticized for going back to work in her 70's. My grandmother lived to 98 so 70's are young to me and what does age matter anyway? Shame on the people who made her cry and sent her off in such a disrespectful way. I hope they realize now what a-holes they were.

[@mirjanapucarevic2105]

Bak in a day it was outrageous to have a kid at 40 also, now it's different.

[@dianedizayee5211]

So lovely when the President and First Lady were treated with respect. Nancy Reagan was a lovely lady.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...And were actually respectable and worthy of respect.

[@heresjohnny5307]

@@user-mj8nf2vp7q Yup lol

[@ericindallas5293]

Late Night television and all television for that matter used to be so Great. Now all we have is biased news,trashy reality shows and garbage. So sad.

[@shelikesdiamonds]

The 80's were a brilliant time. There are always difficulties, but they seemed like halcyon days, especially compared to the decades before and after.

[@josmith1618]

WHAT A COMBO

[@glennntx]

Why are people always so crass in their comments? It's not that we aren't adults, but always trying to seem self important by using their misguided opinions about well loved and successful people in the past to demean and belittle them. You can't measure the past by the present.

[@msplacebo-246]

The internet and social media have ruined civil discussion and discourse. It has a lot to do with being anonymous and not having to account for what you're saying. Very sad really.

[@gazepskotzs4]

I think everybody is quit lovely here, or am i wrong?

[@crmay72]

@@msplacebo-246 absolutely!

[@cindynewman902]

That was a fabulous interview with Nancy Reagan!

[@arthurstillfried2946]

Just say no was great and helped me. Thanks Nancy!

[@robertmartinjr8910]

Nancy Reagan was probably the classiest First Lady this country has ever had. She and the President are my favorite first couple. God bless them both, may they Rest In Peace.

[@leannesmith5818]

Love these dames, don't make them like that anymore

[@lindaweinstein4846]

WOW TOGETHER THEY ROCK ! Two AMAZING LADIES 🙏🏼😇😇⭐️❤️💯💯💯🔥🥳😘🤩🤩🥰🥰😍😊

[@shawnhayden6674]

44:20 Joan Alexandra Molinsky covering up the microphone to engage in a private, respectable talk away from the press and broadcasters. Joan had way more class than the average person would ever know.

[@MichaelGunner123]

Great episode!

[@deliusamat7705]

What a cool video!!

[@teris8233]

Beautiful Ladies that entertained our Souls

[@albertgardner1776]

The best thing ever said about drugs, just say no.

[@Bubbacrunch1]

Michele Lee was a bore, and Lucy wasn't having her "white house menu" b.s. "You're losin' em" she says! lol

[@jankypop-a-matic58]

I like Michele as an actress but her real persona has always rubbed me the wrong way a bit. She has a lot of wacky hyperness.

[@jankypop-a-matic58]

That "you're losin' 'em" was pretty awesome! 😁

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

Ugly, boring, and a horrible actress, even by today's standards.

[@rhodamackenzie1105]

I LOVED IT!!

[@lindapetersen3217]

Lucy didn't seem to think miss Lee was boring.

[@barrett7893]

RIP Lucille Ball ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@williesartsdesignscuisines]

I absolutely adore Lucille Ball's pant suit....She looks so chic!🌟⭐🌠👈🏾

[@skammer2007]

Nancy Regan......one polished first lady

[@gilly198]

Denied a travel visa to Rock Hudson - When people were trying to survive HIV/AIDS!

[@georgegeorgiev3946]

Joan was so excited to interview Nancy Reagan. So cute!

[@kh-ln8zs]

I forgotten how it's was to have a first lady as a role model, one with class.

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

Yes, Michelle Obama is till missed !!

[@williamf4544]

@@ms.martiegallego8834 Omg hahahaha

[@siddharthsen7035]

@@ms.martiegallego8834 Michelle Obama is a man.

[@MLNISMJ]

@@ms.martiegallego8834 sorry you misspelled Michael.

[@jasonbarney4278]

“Just say no”. Wow that one’s worked so well. Great work.

[@rhondafortson5205]

I had never seen Nancy Reagan interviewed...she was ABSOLUTELY CHARMING.

[@user-fb4sb1zi8g]

And the first lady of late night comedy!

[@p.g.j6323]

What a wonderful lady, so wise!

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

Yes, Lucy was very wise !! I just loved Her !!

[@soapwonder2284]

Much beloved and admired women! RIP

[@margaretetetens6685]

Nancy Regan is a wonderful person,soft spoken and very smart!

[@nienie68]

This was fun and shot the year I was born.

[@erikheflin6223]

Fabolous❤️🎉

[@windchimeisland]

I loved what Lucy said about Nancy Reagan. What a classy lady.

[@rhodamackenzie1105]

It was tongue in cheek - very sarcastic.

[@ronmanfredo9550]

Nancy was a very engaging classy woman! She and The President are sorely missed! We luv Lucy!!!

[@ryancang3627]

I heard about the Just Say No campaign because of Punky Brewster.

[@patriciarobertson6791]

Lovely woman with lots of sense!

[@patriciarobertson6791]

Lucy too!

[@reginabarron557]

I'm, glad, Nacy, spoke up, about drugs. It's, a real problem.

[@6atlantis]

Regina Barron her just say no to drugs campaign was a resounding failure

[@josephmarchione7767]

Yes It may be a problem But Nancy's solution was the beginning of turning the problem into A disaster .

[@jimkreider9997]

I tried majiuana and thought what is all the hoopla about this. I never went on to anything else, thank God.

[@midnightmilkman1]

A Major Loss in the Entertainment Business ..we miss you Joan rip ! Nancy was pure class & elegance Michelle lee looked fabulous.. shes the only one alive here

[@romyhols]

Lmao Michele lee was lying she’s born in 1942, she wouldn’t have survived the internet era with that personality, she would have been constantly roasted lol

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...She's a bore.

[@edm4321]

I don't think ppl realized then how impactful this was back then, first woman to host a late night talk show on a major network and all female guest list.

[@queerchoreography54]

I’m here for Lucy. All the other guests have faded into history (not you Joan!)

[@nickyd.7169]

Excuse me but speak for yourself. I loved Michelle Lee and knots landing and she is still relevant to a lot of people.what a ridiculous bitter thing to say.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@nickyd.7169 She was speaking for herself

[@joeroberts2481]

This is so 80s.

[@georgiemiko7475]

this is when we liked cnn

[@rhamiemanuelmoura-yameen8416]

@ Georgie Miko - Exactly they had their biases even back then , but their format was still newsworthy. Have not watched them in over a decade.

[@georgemiko1973]

@@rhamiemanuelmoura-yameen8416 totally

[@punkanellylovejoy702]

Yeah before they ripped Trump a new one 🤐

[@distantcoff7391]

Yeah that answer that statement that campaign, Oh how well they worked, depends on where in the chain you are.

[@90skid97]

2:52 aww

[@TheVerbalVolley]

Lucy was so embarrassed before the filming. Joan told her that the dress code would be casual. Obviously, Joan did not tell her that she and Mrs. Reagan would be decked out in full regalia, and when Lucy showed up in her casual pants suit outfit, she was mortified.

[@Texaslawhorn]

I wonder why Joan told Lucy the opposite.

[@TheVerbalVolley]

@@Texaslawhorn I know....right? Maybe it was a last minute decision. I'll give Joan a free ride on this, but Lucy WAS mortified!

[@Texaslawhorn]

@@TheVerbalVolley yeah, I'd love to know the real reason. I know Joan wouldn't want to purposefully offend Lucille Ball. I believe she respected her too much. Even Michele was sparkly though. It seemed odd to have three such heavy hitters in one show. Joan could have easily had Lucy be her only guest on one show. Lucy definitely seemed irritated and uncomfortable. She didn't even really look at Joan at first. The tension seemed to break a little when Joan made the joke about nothing on her body being real. That made Lucy genuinely laugh which was great to see. Also, it was an interesting contrast in personalities between Nancy, Lucy and Michele. It's also interesting watching Joan the respectful talk show host verses Joan the stand-up comic. I feel as if Nancy would have made a bit of an easy target for Joan's comedy act though I can't remember hearing her ever kid about Mrs. Reagan.

[@thelessimportantajmichel287]

Mrs Reagan always had great wigs

[@turntableone4356]

That is her real hair. Lol

[@lisagialucci2296]

She didn’t wear wigs- she had heavy hair -

[@cyndisalcedo4131]

I'm pretty sure the ones wearing the "just say no" pin were using some sort of drug, especially the musicians. 😒

[@toddbroadfoot4330]

Things have changed so much.

[@eliranpinhasov5940]

The sound is catastrophically low!!!

[@hughhaefner5486]

Love the TV preservation theme but can't subscribe until I can hear it. Turn up the volume. I couldn't watch this because of that. Thanks, though.

[@anyhowe2702]

Long Healrhy life has to do with, "honor your father and your mother" and you shall have a long life.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

lucy loved tht applause.... joan is on what? she alwys so nervous/hyper..

[@silvergold7301]

I've always loved Joan Rivers she was a total badass and love her dearly ... as an immigrant she is one of the very few I have hear talk about her immigrant roots as most totally forget and hide where they came from ..but not Joan she wanted her parents to see what a lil immigrant girl was able to do...from this point on Joan Rivers will become my way of seeing the American Dream she had humble roots and accomplished many things all while she made people laugh and never changed for any one long live my queen JOAN RIVERS

[@PrincessTreasure]

it’s so funny how they thought weed was hard back then

[@scorpiorising3741]

No they just knew it was a gateway drug; which it is. Smoking anything isn't helping your lungs or brain cells. It's called dope for a reason.

[@abrakadabrah3031]

Say NO...sounds trite and stupid. But it's friends that usually introduce you to drugs, smoking, drinking. So you can join them...or say NO...and leave them. I was occasionally beat by my father. Not for doing something bad. But, not being smart enough. Unable to memorize a poem...etc etc... I would never classify him as a monster! It was the way he was brought up...he was a brilliant person. I was the opposite. I wish someone could love me, like Nancy loved Ronnie. Drugs are big business. They will never stop. All about 💰 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 Not lives... Society is built on this foundation!

[@bluegas]

Nancy used pills like Vallium and Quadlupes and she used to beat & abuse emotionally her daughter Patty Davis. Super sad... 😞

[@markburrows2858]

The duplicity of evil

[@yakk13]

Joan mentioned Edgar at the beginning. I thought he had already passed before this show??

[@JayEmm.]

He killed himself a few months after Joan was fired from this show in 1987.

[@yakk13]

Jay Emm okay. So sad.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...Apparently not.

[@tywilliamnash5078]

I went with my sister to see a good lady friend from New Yo who.is a singer/film-stsge-Tellevision actress, Lillias White who was performing a theatre in Hollywood on Highland Ave upstairs as t sone big Hotel ... I can't remember the name of the place. Anyway it was complementary seats , dinner , and drinks... Very fine. After the show my sister and I waited two hours for Lillias to placate and bask in the glow of her considerable fanbase of Fanboys and Fangirls , giving them all equal quality time

[@nickyd.7169]

What does this have to do with anything seen here.?

[@tywilliamnash5078]

@@nickyd.7169 I accidentally went to sleep before finishing .I met Michelle Lee . She had dinner with us . Very funny , interesting lady.

[@bahamutskingdom]

What a night. First Lady of the United States First Lady of Television What a night.

[@hairyscotman]

Nancy was a lovely lady....

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...That was one more UGLY child, but she did dress extremely well.

[@julievanderleest]

Nancy seemed like the sweetest person ever to reside in the White House.

[@stevehansen932]

OMG, who is the A-hole that made our national treasure Lucille Ball cry!