WHAT HAPPENED TO NETWORK MOVIES, DO WE NEED THEM BACK ?

[bpatrick]

Judging from the ratings, the public accepted Lucy's change-of-pace
role in "Stone Pillow." That was in 1985; a year later, she was back
playing another variation on Lucy Ricardo on ABC's flop "Life With Lucy."
Perhaps something more in line with her age (75) would have given her
a hit.

 

[azumanga]

Sally Field was also in Sybil, but that wasn't a Movie-of-the-Week.

I believe that film was originally seen as a two-parter on NBC, as part of their movie program. And by that time (1976-1977), ABC's Movoie of the Week was winding down and integrated into ABC's regular movie nights.

 

[FreddyE1977]

a year later, she was back
playing another variation on Lucy Ricardo on ABC's flop "Life With Lucy."
Perhaps something more in line with her age (75) would have given her
a hit.

Interesting theory. Or she could have followed the Betty White model of
playing against your age stereotype.

 

[Markxxx]

a year later, she was back
playing another variation on Lucy Ricardo on ABC's flop "Life With Lucy."
Perhaps something more in line with her age (75) would have given her
a hit.

Interesting theory. Or she could have followed the Betty White model of
playing against your age stereotype.

I think the problem (or the biggest problem) with "Life With Lucy" was the fact, Lucy was trying to recreate her character. The public wouldn't accept it. Had Lucille Ball joined a cast as part of an ensemble, such as with "Golden Girls" instead of making her the "star" she would've done better.

We had a few minor players that played old against their age. Like Mr Quigley on "All In The Family," or Mother Dexter" on "Phyllis" playing feisty old people but not until the Golden Girls were they really featured. At least I don't think so.

Lucille Ball refused to let herself be played as old as she was. I recall the episode of the "Lucy Show," with Danny Thomas and he calls her "young lady." You wanna cringe. The "Lucy Show" had Lucy trying to be an air hostess, or a competing against young women for a chorus girl part and winning?

 

[therealjm12]

By my calculations Lucy must have been near 60 during the Lucy Show years. No wonder I thought it sucked even as a kid. I didn't buy her playing someone younger. I did (& still do) love I Love Lucy and all her movie parts. She was a great woman.

 

[gregg75]

I don't think Lucy wanted to embrace her OLDNESS as Betty White has. Lucy always
wanted to look the young and glamourous role (even in old age), probably a throw
back to the old Hollywood days and stars of yesteryear.

 

[LKellerIII]

By my calculations Lucy must have been near 60 during the Lucy Show years. No wonder I thought it sucked even as a kid. I didn't buy her playing someone younger. I did (& still do) love I Love Lucy and all her movie parts. She was a great woman.

Lucy (born 1911) was 51 when The Lucy Show started in 1962 - I always assumed her character "Lucy Carmichael" was in her late 40s. Wasn't she a widow with teenage kids? It wasn't that much of a stretch.

She was 56 when the show left the air in '68....a bit more of a stretch, perhaps.

 

[Tim from Springfield IL]

By my calculations Lucy must have been near 60 during the Lucy Show years. No wonder I thought it sucked even as a kid. I didn't buy her playing someone younger. I did (& still do) love I Love Lucy and all her movie parts. She was a great woman.

But she did turn 60 while still on CBS Monday night TV--during 1971 in the middle of the "Here's Lucy" run (1968-74).

 

[searadiofreak]

"Here's Lucy" had some good episodes, and some weak ones. But I digress.

Network tv movies, either previously filmed, or made for tv, have become a lost element. The changes brought on by cable, digital, etc. will not ever bring us back to this. As I mentioned earlier however, I appreciate TCM being shown on many basic cable networks. They are the last of a breed, so I worry about it being around long-term.