Lucille Ball Reflects On Being Fired By Florenz Ziegfeld | The Dick Cavett Show

[@integral]

That "two empty chairs" comment was perfect.

[@davidcawrowl3865]

Kudos to Mr Cavett for elicting--ever so gently--this marvelous tale from Lucy.

[@thArt-ei5yf]

you make sense

[@alankelly-hamm2702]

Dick Cavett is such a class act. I always enjoy his interviews , they are still relevant and interesting 40 years later.

[@tomitstube]

great story, lucie arnaz just 19 here. lucy is 59, you can do the math. lucy and carol burnett had become good friends, the story as carol tells it, lucy would always send carol flowers on her birthday. well lucy died in 1989 on carol's birthday, and got her flowers from lucy that afternoon with a card that said "happy birthday kid". lucy called her "kid" for 30 years, including the first time they met.

[@evilchynette]

I've heard that story before too. I lived with my husband with a good friend of his a elder war veteran. (Man was almost 90 but still looked 60 max 65). He always called me kid. From anyone else I'd take offense but to him, I was like another daughter. I miss him😥. We both used to like to talk about old bands and actors/actresses. One of our favs was Lucy and Desi. R.I.P Lucy!

[@stephenalbertson8920]

Take note of how she entered...THAT is true Hollywood royalty!!!

[@saraheart2804]

She thought she was.

[@TheDefeatest]

@@saraheart2804 Wasn't she? What am I missing?

[@stephenalbertson8920]

Well...at least 40 people agree with me...@Under the Surface

[@saraheart2804]

@@TheDefeatest, she was but she knew it too. She just wasn't humble.

[@reealitychick]

Such CLASS and she earned every step of the way... luv her story in her beginning years.. she fought hard and had the talent-- beauty and brains... but mostly HEART!!!

[@benm5221]

What an entrance. What a story. What a look of shock/horror/embarrassment/disbelief/pain/sadnes on her daughter's face.

[@allme2547]

You know, her daughter looked like she was hurt on her mother's behalf when she told that story. No one is a perfect parent but I bet you Lucy genuinely loved her kids.

[@Grigsy]

@@allme2547 her daughter was 16 or 17 at the time and was raised well. She was just embarrassed like any kid would be. But also it was like she was seeing her mom as a person for the first time.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@Grigsy Actually her daughter was 19 here.

[@RadicalCaveman]

@@Grigsy I rather doubt that.

[@georgefoshee6047]

I met Lucy when she stayed at local lodge in the off season. She rubed my head bought me a roy rodgers and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

[@Yeiyn343]

I love hearing these stories. I read a comment about someone working on Dolly Parton's house and how she brought them lemonaide, and then a lady who ran into Loretta Lynn. :-)

[@apollosungod2819]

lucky boy!

[@mattwest9554]

My god that Coat. I love her coat!

[@tyrellanderson4722]

Isn't it great?!

[@hankaustin7091]

It's absolutely gorgeous!

[@spoly8139]

@@hankaustin7091 Are you serious? LOL It looks like living room curtains. Not elegant at all!

[@hankaustin7091]

@@spoly8139 well CLEARLY the 19 of us that gave Inrepid Asylum a thumbs up think so! You must be some kind of millennial not to appreciate something from 1971 like the rest of us do.

[@LadyMissCoppertone]

Hostess pajamas...

[@jeffstone2136]

Without Lucille Ball and her willingness to take on unusual projects, there may probably have been Mission: Impossible, but there would definitely have been no Star Trek. Bless her. "No thanks, Gene, we have something better," - CBS, 1964, referring to Lost In Space

[@keaton718]

We would have got something like Star Trek, just decades later, or at a much lower budget on a channel no one watches.

[@carolbenson6524]

Raspy voice from smoking. She was a legend for sure.

[@steve-o4207]

Isn't it nice to watch a talk show host listening instead of constantly butting in on their guests stories. Lucy, a true legend.

[@RadicalCaveman]

A legend, very talented, and a royal pain in the ass! But fun.

[@arthurtrauer5684]

All of the people that are young now will be watching old clips of their favorite entertainers in the coming decades and reminiscing about how great it was back in the day. Some things don’t change.

[@benm5221]

And aliens will scratch the base of their antennae wondering what primitive religion any of the interviews represent.

[@watermelon520b]

Arthur Trauer true. And we will all be saying how good everything was in the 2010’s-2020’s, when music was REAL! 😹😹😹😹😹😹

[@scotnick59]

I LOVE LUCIE, too!

[@Tmanaz480]

Dick's band does a very respectable rendition of the I Love Lucy theme.

[@geoffjoffy]

I always found Lucille Ball very attractive - even when she got older.

[@allme2547]

Despite her voice she had a very sharp energy about her that seems ageless.

[@hotwax9376]

Sure, but you can tell by her voice that all those years of smoking took a toll.

[@TM15HAKRN]

@@hotwax9376 True

[@tambert3897]

She was really cute when she was in her 20s.

[@hotwax9376]

@@tambert3897 If she was a Ziegfeld girl then I would think so.

[@TykeTansford]

Love Lucys outfit.

[@Apathynosebleed]

That beautiful closing theme was written by myself and the arrangement was by Jon Charles

[@NxDoyle]

Lucie's "two empty chairs" line was brilliant.

[@StonyRC]

A razor-sharp businesswoman who had her finger on the US pulse at a time when show-business, society and TV were changing massively. Revered as she was (and still is, even over here in Europe) she is tremendously under-appreciated for what she managed to achieve in a male-dominated business.

[@GenevieveThornton]

I’m glad that limousine stopped. “I Love Lucy” is one of my favorite shows of all time. I’ve seen each episode numerous times. It’s timeless & Lucy is so damn talented.

You can hear the Chesterfield unfiltered cigarettes in her voice.

[@gilliantracy7991]

That and the Gordon's Gin!

[@scotnick59]

@@gilliantracy7991 She liked Jack Daniels, too: they had a torrid affair

[@scotnick59]

She smoked Philip Morris even later in life

[@Eowyn187]

My two idols on one stage!! Probably 5 or 6 when I discovered Lucy and about 8 for Carol. And I love em as much now as I did then. Can't say that about very many.

[@TheBraveIntrovert]

Two of my fave red heads.... I grew up watching Lucy from a young age as well. I grew up in the 90 though so I watched on tv land and Nick at Nite. I was recently gifted the complete series as well as the Lucy Desi comedy hour.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Watch the classic '30's comedy Stage Door. Young Lucy has a supporting role as 1 of the struggling actresses, basically playing herself @ that time. Gorgeous.

[@marias7599]

I found her very attractive at the age of this interview.

[@catman3552]

Lucy was also one of the original Goldwyn girls along with Betty Grable and Paulette Goddard.

[@hankaustin7091]

Absolutely fantastic interview!! Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Little Lucie, all on the same show, doesn't get any better than that!!

[@independentfilmchannel1476]

Lucie Jr's ad lib after the story was immediate and punch-perfect. Comedic instincts can be hereditary.

[@scotnick59]

If you can, catch Lucy in "Panama Lady"/ a 1939 B programmer; so bad it's good and she's darling in it. Her name is even Lucy in the film!

[@tla9895]

I ❤️LUCY!!!!!!!

[@patricksandrononn8309]

Thank you so much for everything you made possible for Star Trek.

[@baja8072]

What an epitome of a classy and elegant lady! I've always loved her!

[@photo161]

Say what you will, that is a very sad story, and instructive.

[@allme2547]

It's a hopeful story because she went on to such major success. But, it didn't happen all at once like some gift from a fairy godmother. It shows that you can have a bad day and feel like your life is over with no immediate happy solution, and still have success in your future

[@karlschwinbarger105]

Wow a comedian we all grew up with and put on a pedestal. We all love Lucille Ball. And she came so low at 16. This is time kind of story that anybody down on their luck should hear twice.

[@JB-ox7ib]

Amazing lady in so many ways. Thanks for upload.

[@robcreel4257]

I think daughter Lucy was kind of horrified at her mother's story.

[@orgelspielen]

I just thought the same thing.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

But she came up with the punch line!

[@orgelspielen]

@@unowen-nh9ov Yes!True comedians!

[@taraniso]

Look at her face at 5:08. Carol totally understood the gallow's humor.

[@bhbluebird]

It was obvious that she adored her mother.

[@BurnTheReciept]

Omg Lucie's comment "2 empty chairs" haha she definitely got her quick wit and perfect comedic timing from her mom

[@lisac2133]

Her outfit is so pretty and seems to be back in style.

[@Maliceah]

My dad always had the biggest crush on her. I bought her biography for him for his birthday a couple years before he died. He read it right away. Carol Burnett must have been so thrilled to be there with her idol.

[@rjkral]

“Two empty chairs!!” Classic!!!!

[@wetlazer]

Ball always reminded me of my mother... (when she was acting zany, my mom was nuts, and acted like Lucy's wacky alter ego) ... and she reminds me of my niece. However, I just noticed something in her voice and manner, a certain toughness, and it was specifically reminiscent of John Wayne. I'm not sure where that came from, but it's clear as day to me now. 1:58 "How old do you have to be, to be an institution?" I can't tell you why that reminded me of something Wayne would say, but it did.

[@bhbluebird]

FYI, Carol Burnett is one of the guests also.

[@SteveJonesPerezCom]

I LOVED LUCY!!!

[@hoosierhermit]

Love me some Lucy 💕

[@lynnfyffe7910]

What a way to make an entry! Lucy's outfit is absolutely beautiful

[@peace-yv4qd]

Lucy was the real deal. Very genuine. Grew up watching I Love Lucy. Came up and succeeded the hard way. A true professional.

[@_martino87]

Lucille Ball... the best

[@Honeycombe88]

I miss her. She was a wonderful talent and in many ways, an extraordinary person. A role model for women.

[@starcrib]

She was always larger than life . TV was her platform. a maverick at the time. a real broad too.

[@fredsalfa]

I miss her

[@BenedictHarris]

Ahahahaha Lucie Arnaz with the big laugh. Great.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

Lucille was 60 here.

[@BernardProfitendieu]

she really looks great here ... '70s glamor was great!

[@markhawke9009]

We all will always love Lucy.

[@hydranjablooms9093]

oh i just loooove lucy !!!

[@queerchoreography54]

YEAH! My homegirl mentioned Jamestown!

[@TykeTansford]

Three since Carol credits Lucy for her break.

[@StevenTorrey]

The moral of the story.... I believe she does appear in one of Ziegfield films. She also appears in Top Hat as one of the assistants in the flower shop.

[@marcelojijon927]

Luci siempre dandonos alegrias y risas .Que bendición tu payaso y niño de tu corazon.Luci cuanto te necesitamos y amamos.Gracias

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

The brains of Desilu. If it hadn't been for Lucy, there would be no "Star Trek" or "Mission: Impossible."

[@ferdburfel7447]

Desi gets a lot of credit, too. He was the one who came up with the idea of filming I Love Lucy on 35mm film so that it could be rebroadcast indefinitely. A decision that's still paying off 60 years later.

[@lindaf4836]

Yes, and the 3 CAMERAS at the same time thing, with a live studio audience. He approved ALL the scripts too.

[@misterhoeflak]

@@ferdburfel7447 According to Lucie Arnaz, the idea of shooting on film came from the fact that Lucy and Desi didn't want to move to NYC to shoot the show. The network originally didn't want to shoot it in California and relegate its NY audience to watching a (poorer quality) kinescope recording of the show. Shooting it on film blew the budget, and Lucy and Desi offered to cover the shortfall out of their fees, on the proviso they got ownership of the film reels. So much about what they did was pioneering and visionary, and I think that pioneering spirit is also reflected in their championing of Star Trek.

[@seamac206]

“I saw where you were looking” Mount Rushmore of American comedians

[@rickmeade2643]

lucy an angel sent by god to make us laugh and when she passed we cryed because she was like family rest in peace lucy

[@JohnSmith-mk8hz]

Carol Burnette and Lucile Ball on the Dick Cavett Show at the same time. Two comedy geniuses. Sorely missed.

[@rickrick5041]

Ziegfeld sure knew talent. She never got anywhere

[@annlove4879]

Lucille Ball....a Legend💗🌹💗🌹💗🌹💗🌹

[@jojoreyes5072]

Lucy Ricardo definitely came out at 1:18 😂😂 love her so much! ❤️

[@wanderingfree149]

Such a Pioneer for female comedians! I do love Lucy!!

[@MrCrowebobby]

God, she looks great. Imagine being a daughter and having to live in the shadow of that.

[@allme2547]

Some people radiate enough love and warmth that you'd gladly live in their shadow

[@fanboy2015]

“Two empty chairs”. That was a good one.

[@cats0182]

Cavett's talk show was really excellent. It is unfortunate that he couldn't hold his own against Carson. But then again, I guess no one really could.

[@stephenalbertson8920]

Excellent point!! Carson NEVER had an equal!!

[@davidwright5379]

awesome story

[@ComeAlongKay]

All hail the queen of Hollywood.

[@williamabel985]

What a beautiful, glamorous woman.

[@sammyjo2852]

Lucy looked so beautiful here.

[@carolinecorma8n69]

Unique lady.

[@reneemorris7197]

There was only one Lucille Ball,; no one could play comedy like her.

[@deninevh]

I want that whole ensemble of hers, it's fantastic.

[@simplymj9032]

I love herr 💖💖👑

[@leilanirocks]

I for one couldn’t be happier that limo had just got a brake job. I Love Lucy. ❤

[@juliemitchell3794]

Poor Lucie! What a story to hear on national T.V. 🤦🏽

[@larissabrewington9065]

This was perfect. (Six minutes that feels like one...)

[@AL-gi2op]

Many trials and tribulations she went through to forge her career. Fired, told she wasn’t good enough, didn’t breakout until age 40 but the fruits of her labor paid off! True American story

[@dominothewonderdog]

'Two empty chairs!' 😂😂

[@mscarolynnigro]

Like a queen

[@samsum3738]

Two empty chairs .Everything turns on a dime .

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I wondered if Lucy did not tell her daughter this story before going on this show. Yes, her daughter looked sad while she was telling the story but her uptake was so quick. I would have thought that her mind would have lingered on that story a much longer time, if it were the first time hearing it.

[@danadretzel1171]

Is it just me noticing that stars today can’t compare to the stars from the past. No sharp wit. No intresting stories. No sophistication and vulgarity has replaced true sexiness.

[@nicoles7800]

Amazing woman. Extremely driven and sure, when it was socially not supported. She was a comedic genius and knew it. She knew it was more important to make a difference beyond looks and she was breathtaking. She was also, unfortunately an alcoholic, had a difficult disposition and was very bitter in her last years. Left a great legacy. Not really a happy person.

[@kevinr.3542]

You can tell she was a little prickly. She definitely didn't hold back or put on a big smile if she didn't feel like it. I'm a big fan but I definitely noticed in every interview from the 60s on, she's a little testy. But maybe she just didnt want to pander to the audience and act.all fake

[@nicoles7800]

@Cassie Miller Ms Ball was definitely not in the programme. The old fashioned 12 step still works for some. Those I know who have tried really hard to make it work, have found it a hot bed full of predators. Especially for young girls. It's not a safe space for some. There are other alternatives, such as smart and others. No matter the help sought, it is a very hard road. You either take it or die a premature and horrid death.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I never heard that she was an alcoholic. Desi Arnaz was - but never heard that Lucille Ball was. Their son was an alcoholic and a drug addict and both his parents went to rehab meetings with him. Finally, Desi Jr talked his father into going, which he finally did. Desi Jr never mentioned his mother was - nor has anyone. Lucie Arnaz says her mother was driven (work) and was a perfectionist and even a control freak, but never indicated her mother was an alcoholic.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I don't feel she was bitter - Kept contact with people she had worked with. Had close friends - Dinah Shore, esp. Carol Burnett. She maintained a close relationship with Desi - they talked about 3x a week every week. Also had a long stable relationship with her 2nd husband Gary Morton. She felt very sad when Vivian Vance died, when her mother DeeDee died and when Desi died. She was not bitter she was sad about these losses.

[@Gannooch]

Is this channel ever going to show the Dick Cavett shows where he interviews Jackie Gleason or Art Carney? How about any Honeymooners actors that were a part of the main cast?

[@ronanrogers4127]

Carol Burnett’s still with us. Stars of yesteryear had so much less hubris and arrogance. Sure, some were at times Prima donnas, but they were engaging when interviewed, whereas today almost all of them are vapid, as are the interviewers.

[@goldenglove4663]

love her.

[@eliasashoal8723]

we used to laugh so hard watching her tv show.

[@stevie68a]

Cavett made a habit of asking airline employees like the stewardesses and stewards, "who was the worst celebrity you ever had to deal with?". The answer was always, "Lucille Ball". He said this, understandably, after Lucy's passing.

[@Tvjunkie145]

Why is that? Was she rude and mean to them?

[@hankaustin7091]

@@Tvjunkie145 Let's just say.. she REALLY like to have things HER way..and if they didn't go HER way, she's let lots of folks around her know it! My great aunt was her assistant hair stylist on The Lucy Show (the one she did from 1962 - 1968) and Aunt Mary would tell about the times Lucille Ball would throw a tantrum if even just one little light was not positioned right.. said it was something to see.

[@anthonyhebisen]

Tvjunkie145 as Joan Crawford once famously said about Lucille ball “ and they call Me a bitch ?”

[@johnwright2911]

@@hankaustin7091 Didn't she produce that show also?

[@hankaustin7091]

@@johnwright2911 well.. she might as well have, as much as she butted in on everything.. people that worked on the show with her, said she had to have her nose stuck in every aspect of filming.. they said it got very annoying after a while.

[@sheree1994sa]

ICON

[@audreydaleski1067]

Class act.

[@mikecaldwell8417]

I remember when Lucy died. I was very sad. I was not a big Lucy fan but I watched her show and her death marked part of my childhood dying

[@corneliuswhite5139]

Diva!!!! That's class.

[@julie5310]

That's a sad story. Love the fashion.

[@Twan1985]

Lucy's daughter is gorgeous

[@evanisovich]

Lucille Ball was one of a very select few people who could discuss an anecdote about contemplating suicide and make it funny.

[@mbvlove3133]

If you have to be Quarantined Lucy is the best way to deal with it. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ohmeowzer1]

I love Lucy

[@AmericasChoice]

3 funny and talented women. And a pretty good interviewer, too.