Lucille Ball would also have a lasting impact on generations of actors and comedians. During her lifetime she would nurture the careers of performers who would become legends in their own right. Barbara Eden guest starred on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance" as the guest of one of Lucy's neighbours who sets all the men's hearts aflutter. Desi Arnaz was well-known for his womanizing, and he was taken with Barbara Eden. He would show up at any rehearsal she was at and he made no secret of his desire for her. This made things difficult for Miss Eden, who had enormous respect for Lucy. She took to avoiding Desi Arnaz whenever possible.
A lesser woman might have been jealous of Barbara Eden and might have treated her poorly, but Lucille Ball recognized Miss Eden's talent and treated her kindly. Lucy invited her to her dressing room and let her pick out a dress, which she then made sure would make Barbara Eden look even more glamorous. According to Miss Eden's autobiography, Jeanie Out of the Bottle, Lucille Ball also gave her encouragement. She told her, "You're good, Barbara. You don’t usually find a pretty girl who can project and be funny at the same time. But make sure to put that pretty little face of yours out there. Let the camera love your face." Lucy even offered Barbara Eden a contract with Desilu. While Miss Eden turned her down, the two remained friends.
Lucille Ball also nurtured the career of Carol Burnett. The two had met backstage when Miss Burnett was performing on Broadway in Once Upon a Mattress. The two talked for a half hour and when Lucy left, she told Carol Burnett, "Kid, if you ever need me for anything, give me a call." Lucille Ball would be Carol Burnett's guest on her first special, Carol +2. She made frequent guest appearances on The Carol Burnett Show and Carol Burnett guest starred on both The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. Carol Burnett would often ask Lucille Ball for advice. Lucy even sent Carol Burnett a bouquet of flowers every year on her birthday. Sadly, Lucy would die on Carol Burnett's birthday (Carol was born April 23 1933 and Lucy died on April 23 1989, but flowers from Lucy to Carol Burnett still arrived.
Lucille Ball was also a mentor to Robert Osborne, the legendary film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies. She signed him to Desilu and he studied acting under Miss Ball as part of the Desilu Workshop. Robert met with some success as an actor, guest starring on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Whirlybirds, and Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond and making small appearances on various movies. He appeared in the pilot for The Beverly Hillbillies and there was even talk of him having a recurring role on the show. He turned it down as he didn't think The Beverly Hillbillies would last.
While Robert Osborne had some success as an actor, it was Lucille Ball who saw that his talents actually lay elsewhere. She suggested to Robert that he pursue a career in writing. His first book, His first book, Academy Awards Illustrated, was published in 1965. Those of us who enjoyed watching Robert Osborne as host of TCM then owe a debt of gratitude to Lucille Ball. Without Miss Ball, Robert Osborne might have never become an author and film historian, and as a result he might not have been selected to host Turner Classic Movies.
Lucy would also be responsible for saving two shows that have since become legendary. Both Star Trek and Mission: Impossible were produced by Desilu. While it is uncertain if Lucille Ball had any responsibility in getting both shows on the air, it is known that she saved both shows from her Desilu executives. Argyle Nelson, head of production and studio operations, and Edwin Holly, senior vice president, estimated that both Star Trek and Mission: Impossible would cost $225,000 apiece a week to produce, with weekly revenues of $160,000 apiece. This meant Desilu would lose a good deal of money on both shows. Ed Holly was so opposed to Star Trek and Mission: Impossible that he told Lucy that they would have to sell the studio if they produced the pilots for both shows.
There are two stories as to how Lucy decided to go forward with both shows. Herb Solow, executive in charge of production at Desilu, supported Star Trek and Mission: Impossible. He then persuaded Lucille Ball to go forward with the two shows by invoking Desilu's past of producing quality television. Lucy's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, told a simpler version at William Shatner's induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. When Lucy's executives at Desilu told her that Star Trek and Mission: Impossible were too expensive to produce, she simply replied, "No, I like 'em!" Lucy usually listened to her executives at Desilu, but in the case of Star Trek and Mission: Impossible, she remained determined that the studio would produce both shows. Of course, since then, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible have become the most famous shows produced by Desilu except for I Love Lucy.
Lucille Ball was so generous to her fellow performers and the shows produced at Desilu that these are hardly the only stories of how she would have a lasting impact on American entertainment and pop culture. Her influence was very reaching. What is more, it is still being felt to this day.
Thanks for some very informative inside baseball. Her image is almost as iconic as that of Marilyn Monroe. She also starred in The Lucy Show with Gale Gordon in the late '60's.
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