Desi Arnaz Talks About How He Got His Role On "I Love Lucy" | Letterman
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- čas přidán 31. 01. 2022
- Desi Arnaz recalls how he got to play the husband on the classic TV Show "I Love Lucy." (Air date: 5/23/1983)
#DesiArnaz #Letterman #LucilleBall #ILoveLucy
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He revolutionized the way shows were filmed today.
You know you created something incredible when people are still watching it 70 years later. I’m watching it now 😊
I'm about to watch Lucy on Pluto tv 😅 I love Lucy 👍🏻 best show.
I miss both shows...I love Lucy and David Letterman.
Preach
Literally I watch it every night . There’s absolutely nothing like it
To call Desi Arnaz a Television Legend would be an understatement. He was Television Royalty. 👑
You said that right
Desi Arnaz was an absolute legend. He has been gone 37 years now, and reruns of "I love Lucy" are still showing. Legendary show too ❤
don't forget that Desi and Lucy took a chance on Star Trek, a show that reshaped how sci-fi was portrayed on TV and film and which has child shows still running to this day.
One thing many may not know, is how savy Desi was with seeing the future of television. He refused to have "I Love Lucy" show with video cameras which in turn would be transferred to kinescope low resolution video and audio film. He insisted on 35mm theatrical motion picture cameras. CBS balked at that kind of expense, saying the budget is not big enough to pay for all the additional costs such as 35mm b&w film, film editors, mixing, and producing the finished product on 35mm film print. When CBS said no, Desi said he would pay for it out of his own pocket, as long as he would then own the original 35mm film negatives and film prints and all rights to the show after initial airings. CBS agreed, saying who would want to spend that kind of money on a TV show that no one would care to see repeatedly after the show is first aired?. Can you say "re-runs"? and "Syndication"? Having all those seasons of "I Love Lucy" in pristine condition began the foundation of what would become Desilu Prooductions. A brilliant man.
The 1950s had many comedies and variety shows by geniuses like Milton Berle and Sid Caesar. And very little of this footage exists today. Desi Arnaz's insistence on using 35mm film meant that future generations have the ability to see the old "Lucy" shows. Desi was as strong of a businessman and innovator as he was a singer and straight man to his comic wife.
And Desilu Productions also produced the original Star Trek show.....that show had a bit of an impact
@@weedthepeople2795 and Mission Impossible
That is amazing stuff
Did not know. Loved "I love Lucy". ♥️
Right out of the gate; Television never stood a chance. I’m so thankful I got the chance to catch the end of “I LOVE LUCY” running early in the mornings and late at night. Laughing, learning and understanding art and life from Lucy and Desi is something special for a “silly show”.
Lucy always said Desi was the brains behind I Love Lucy.
Desilu changed television for the better, and not by a little. Pioneers.
Lucy and Desi were national treasures.
you are as well a national treasure
Now Lucy and Desi are buried treasures. 😂
I dearly wish there were more people from that era still around to do these shows and tell us these stories of the golden age.
Still, he doesn't get the respect he deserves, i believe. His ideas were innovative and turned tv on its ear. The Emmys, at least, should name an award after him.
I agree
Because he was a womanizer,an alcoholic and a gambler.
Yes, like many DECADES ago........
It is very true. A hard working guy
I agree however as far as I Love Lucy Lucy was the star even he said that. They almost made a mistake and didn't want to hire him. Lucy who had a failing marriage at the time told them it's either desi or you will need to find another female.
He was absolutely handsome and hysterically funny
He was a very smart man. He created so much that's still used today. Love him.
This clip is exactly 41 years old today
You can easily see the tremendous respect that Dave has for Desi
Desi had an impeccable memory. Not only did he know his own lines, he also knew the lines of
everyone else in the scene he was in.
So Did Audrey Meadows from The Honeymooners.
And he only had to read the script once to have all that memorized. He also didn’t rehearse with the others. He was the president of the studio so he was doing his studio president duties and didn’t have time to rehearse. Since he could memorize like that I guess he didn’t need to rehearse.
He tried to take all the studio work on himself so Lucy wouldn’t have to do anything except learn her lines, rehearse, and act. That way she was at her best for the show. After he sold his half of the studio to her and she became president and also was acting on The Lucy Show she realized how much work he had been doing and how much he had sheltered her from. She found out that it was extremely difficult to do the president job and act on a sitcom at the same time. She managed to do it though.
and he knew right when to drop his pants
@cmmahoney21 anything to keep Lucy off the set. more naughty no no pant drop time 🤣
@@davidthegreat5230 - You came on this thread for the one and only purpose of calling Desi Arnaz out on his frequent marital infidelity. Very productive. Sounds like a case of jealousy.
We all know about Desi’s excessive philandering. There’s no need to remind us. There’s also no need to use baby talk. It’s not cute.
He wasn’t “keeping her off the set”. She had to be at the studio and spend some time on set to memorize her lines and rehearse.
He could’ve had some playtime in his dressing room (and probably did) but that has nothing to do with him being the president of the studio and the work required to do that job nor does it have anything to do with him taking on all or most of the duties of the studio president job so that Lucy could focus on learning lines, rehearsing and acting. She needed to do that to be her best for filming. If she wasn’t at her best it would’ve negatively affected the whole show.
It smells and looks better above street level than it does in the gutter. Just sayin’.
Desi's professional experience is a master's class in early television history. The names, the dates, the places. Listening to him is gold.
Desi was the genius behind I love Lucy’s success. Lucy even acknowledged that.
They were both generous about acknowledging each other, and both were vital.
your nuts
@@moparwoman2355 The word is "you're," unless you're discussing my testicles for some reason. And I'm correct. You don't seem bright.
Both were a wonderful couple
She did. She said he was an absolute genius, but a moran because he lost it all. Poor Gary Morten, he always played 2nd fiddle to Desi.
I love how he once stated many years after he & Lucille divorced, “I Love Lucy was never just a title of a show.” He loved her. Until the day he died. I remember Lucille in an interview stating that she called him a few days before his death and said “I’ll see you later dear.” as their last words together. When he said “I had to say spectin’” I died..That’s so Ricky
they definitely cared deeply about each other throughout their lives, even after their divorce. Sadly it was probably the Hollywood lifestyle that pushed them apart. One can maybe imagine a world where they never got into television and stayed together as a couple of stage performers, but what a different world that would have been.
A true television pioneer..
I Love Lucy was the greatest sitcom ever created. Desi is a national treasure. I'm sure there are big laughs taking place in Heaven.
Desi was so awesome, I love hearing him speak
Desi is the GOAT
What a great, warm, funny guy. I really appreciate how much Dave let him talk, too. It's not boring!
Desi loved telling stories
He cheated on his wife. For that I will never forgive him. People who commit adultery are not good people.
Dang. Desi passed away only 3 years after this show (December 2, 1986). He was a regular smoker for much of his life and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1986, which was his cause of death. Although Arnaz and Ball both married other spouses after their divorce in 1960, they remained friends and grew closer in his final decade.
You can hear him gasping for air in this. The way he is breathing deep reminds me of when my friend's dad died of copd.
*Going through IMDB, I found an uncomfortable amount of actors with lung cancer as their cause of death.*
@@hulkhatepunybanner Leonard Nimoy died of COPD from a smoking habit he kicked 30 years before his death.
@@hulkhatepunybanner Every movie and TV show in the old days had everyone smoking. The tobacco companies had major financial and political clout.
@@AsianwasteABC News anchor Peter Jennings died from lung cancer in the early 2000s. He had smoked for years.
Legend. Lucy and Desi are the GOATS Of comedy.
RIP Desi Arnez.
You done good.
Babalu!!🪘
This guy pretty much created the filmed 3 camera sitcom. Was responsible for the creation of shows like Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Andy Griffith Show, Mannix, and The Untouchables.
wow.
actually, he was not president of desliu, when star trek, mission impossible and other shows were made, Lucy was
@@beanbag8148 I stand corrected, but he was responsible for shaping the modern day sitcom.
He and Lucy had great comic chemistry. It's a shame he destroyed his marriage (and thus the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour) with his womanizing.
@@nicholasjanke3476 they weren't great as spouses, but were amazing as a team and truly loved each other until the end.
To call this man a legend and pioneer is an understatement.
Mr. Arnaz, US absolutely respects and loves you.
We miss you madly and wholly respect all that you offered US.
A story from his autobio: Desi went to school with Al Capone's son and once Desi called his friend's house and Capone himself, in a high-pitched voice, answered. Desi would be well over 100 today, but he was only 65 in this appearance on Letterman.
A true performer and entertainer.
Desi was a genius.
Lucie Arnaz has responded to several emails I’ve sent her. She’s also very down to earth and responsive.
He's sharp, witty and his interlect shines through... Loved the series.
Intellect?
Desi Arnaz was awesome in this 1983 interview treasured classic, R.I.P. Desi Arnaz!!
Better days before Letterman became political and full of hate.
The show that keeps on giving. It will be airing in 100 more years and people will still be watching.
I loved his face. Just so magnetic.
Desi Arnaz, an incredible voice. His whole presence on the show was incredible. I loved "I Love Lucy. I still watch the re-runs. What a handsome man.
I love him & Lucy so much. He was truly the hottest man alive, and Lucy was a trailblazing queen. They really paved the way for so much more.
I still remember the scenes where Lucy does something to get Ricky upset and he starts babbling at her in Spanish. And Lucy does her patented, "Llllllll!" 😆😂🤣
He was sure a wonderful actor. Love ❤️ you, RIP 🙏.
I'm 60 years old and just watched my first handful of I Love Lucy episodes. I'm in love with Lucy.
Hey you may want to check out Andy Griffith and Brady Bunch next LOL
Try HAZEL@@studebricker2845
Desi was great in this interview. Remember seeing it when it originally aired.
Desi Arnaz was one of a kind...a true pioneer and wonderful performer.
Wow. That hair helmet is legendary!
Desi was so charismatic, it's easy to see how he got on Lucy's show. What a cool guy.
I guess he came on Letterman 'cuz he had some 'splainin' to do!
And good lord so much character in this dude
Desilu Productions were responsible for tons of famous shows back in the day, Mannix, Star Trek, The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible, to name a few.
The soundtrack issues he described is incredible. Live TV and the sound mixed to what the cameras recorded. Modern shows using their laughter for their own ill gotten gains. My, my!
Many people either don't know or forget that when he and Lucy bought RKO studios and renamed it Desilu studios it became the birth place of so many TV shows. Hogans Heros, Andy Griffith, Star Trek. Lucy personally told the studios to keep taping the show there regardless of the networks not having faith. She knew it was gonna be a hit. She overruled her staff and said keep it.
Desi was a smart talented artist.
He now gets, the respect that he truly deserved.
Desi, Ricky is still with us.
Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, Fred are still with us.
Thanks, to Desi’s genius to keep reruns, and keep watching
I Love Lucy we are truly lucky.
In Heaven above, God, and all that are with Him get to watch
I Love Lucy with the creators, talents of the show!❤❤🙂
Decent comment until you got all Ned Flanders at the end. 🤦🏻
I love seeing this old time actors again after so long. Many have been gone a long time
It was Desi Arnaz and Desilu Studios (formerly RKO) that pioneered the three-camera TV format still used today. This guy was really an entertainment. powerhouse.
And preserving it on film instead of kinescope. And offering old shows to air again; Desi Arnaz invented the rerun.
Desi Arnaz was a genius when it came to TV especially I Love Lucy. I know he had his flaws as do we all and Lucy had some too. But who cares? Those things are a matter that should stay between husband and wife and maybe family members. What fans should focus on is the entertainment that they have provided us and that’s huge. That and despite the troubles in their marriage they raised 2 children who appear to have grown into decent successful adults. Yes, I know that Desi Jr was a wild child in his young years starting as a teenager. But his parents came together and helped him get the help he needed and he worked hard and got past that issue. And my favorite part is that Lucy and Desi Sr loved each other for the rest of their lives. The marriage didn’t work out and they both married other people but they co-parented and both spent time with their kids and grandkids. My little dog is named Desi after Desi Sr.
Well said. 😢
😊👍🏼 to naming dog Desi
@@JL4GL - Thanks. 🙂 I get in moods where I research different people or events. Some I research more than once. I got my dog during one of my Desi Arnaz phases. The name Desi for the dog just came to me suddenly.
I know I’m middle aged but it completely baffles me how many people don’t know who Desi Arnaz is. They ask the dog’s name. I say Desi. They go HUH? I say Desi, like Desi Arnaz. Still HUH? I say he was on I Love Lucy in the 1950’s. Still another HUH? Now when they ask, I just spell the name.
The dog’s full name is Desiderio Alberto Arnaz. When I’m mad at him I call him Desiderio but he never responds to that. He only responds to Desi. 🐕
Actually Desi didn’t have any flaws.
We used to watch the show when I was a kid. I once watched an episode where you could hear Desi laughing in the back ground.
Desi is a very underrated performer. I like him 😁
This wonderful interview of Desi Arnaz was taped on my 14th birthday..RIP DESI ARNAZ. You too were funny on '' I Love Lucy" AND you made me laugh over and over and over
Wonderful interview. Nice to see Dave handle it respectfully.
Desi was a true trailblazer...
Love Desi he was such an amazing man. You have to look up when he hosted SNL in 1975 (I am almost sure). He was the very best part of the show.
is that here on yotuube?
'spectin made it so much funnier than if they had said she was pregnant or with child or any other term. God how i laugh thinking back on that episode now. Timeless show. I'm 38 and I LOVE LUCY! and Desi ;)
People next time you watch an episode, remember this they don't do retake, what you're watching is like a live show, sometimes they do make mistakes, but they keep moving on, incredible
Very true. Sometimes you can see them trying to recall lines, especially Ricky and Fred, but after a time they became like old vaudevillians and could pull it together without losing the scene or missing a beat.
@@charlie-obrien yes. The most famous fail that stayed in the cut was Lucy accidentally caught her rubber nose on fire,
@@user-bl6ne3hc6n That was accidental? Never knew that, never knew they they didn't shoot retakes. That's crazy talented.
Why I do entertain today. Desi Arnaz was a great inspiration.
Desi gave us one of the most epic quotes of all time: Lucy, you got some splainin to do is epic!!!🤩🤩🤩. Now, if only Clint would use it in a movie🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🤩🤩🤩👏👏👏
I was gonna say he was married to the star. But he got the role after proving that he could be the Star after they went on tour and the audiences loved them.
Whoa. This is my very first time seeing him old! Ive never seen him anything outside of the show so this is crazy to me. 😅
Absolute legend.
What a fascinating dude,.....He seemed so humble and down to earth,....I still catch this show once in awhile, its been continuously on since 1951...!!
Desi was bad ass, much respect ❤I am watching every episode of I Love Lucy now, so good!
He helped create a lot of the things that we take for granted on TV, but I will always love him as one of the greatest straight men of all time. His ability to appear as the “sane” one on screen made the times when he acted silly even funnier because you aren’t expecting it.
Kinda random to separate him specifically from gay men, etc.
@@Jerekul Straight man is a comedy term. It means that most of the jokes would center around Lucy the "funny man", while he would be the foil, the audience stand in to her eccentric, the "straight man."
@@bashildy Oh yeah! I forgot about that usage of the word. Thanks for the clarification.
Design was a sweetheart and an icon! He was the ultimate brains behind, "I Love Lucy" There will never be a personality as.his" Lucy made him shine and he made her shine!" She loved her so much that their studio was "DesiLu Productions." They were the first to own their network. R.I. Heaven Desi Arnez.🎬
🙏🕊💐🕊🙏❤️
the language of his alone. i love the way that he speaks sooo much
As a Cuban American I know Desi as an absolute pioneer. Miguelito Valdés would have been huge also if he'd dominate English the way he did. EPD legend.
Fair to say TV as we know it might not have prospered as fast without, He and Lucy! Both LEGENDS and never forgotten!
It's scary to think that it was less than 30 years from the time that "I Love Lucy" ended to the time this shows aired, and it's now over forty years from this episode to the present.
When Desi saw Jack Parr he was so excited!
Great interview with a great man
Nice that David let him speak. You couldn't get away with those pauses today. The interviewer would jump in.
Interesting to see the "Cuba" patch on Desi's sports jacket pocket. 1:07
I actually Tweeted to David about this interview, a few days ago, I wanted to know how it was talking with a legend, an innovative, a great great person. I wish I had met Desi!
Did Dave respond?
@@juantime7816 Nope, I doubt if Dave actually tweets, and not an assistant or something.
If it was Desi or Lucy, I'm sure they'd reply, given the way they acted, Down to earth people, appreciated the fact that they are loved by people.
@@HenPapirman....thanks for the reply. Good to know. I agree with you about Desi and Lucy.
It's Tweeted btw. :)
@@its.me.christopher3061 This interview? I've seen a different version of it without the logo and branding of Dave's.
Desi/Ricky my❤crush since 1955 when I was 3 years old.
Aww I grew up watching him and Lucy on tv ❤❤❤ thanks for uploading this interview
Man Dave's hair is like a helmet. Great interview with Desi. Thanks Dave for all the memories!
I love Lucy ❤️ my favourite show.."spectin" 😅👍🏻 Desi's the best.
I loved him
The studio is still in use as Red Studios, and I've worked on a few tv shows there. I've done different kinds of production for thirty years, starting in theater, and there's just something about being in a theater, tv studio, or soundstage that enchants me every time I walk into one. I lived in LA for ten years and worked in all kinds of historic places and I'm always thinking about the history in the room and envisioning the collective magic lingering in the air, and I soak it in as a creative person myself. Working on modern shows is fun enough. But I walk around Red Studios picturing it as it once looked and seeing Lucy and Desi at every turn in my imagination.
It's in Culver City right? My friend lives down the block. You can see the Baldwin Hills.
I can only imagine. On my trips to LA, I've been to historic spots like that, such as the Chaplin Studios (now Jim Henson Enterprises), also to the spot where Billy Graham first hit it big. But never to a studio where these shows were made. The sense of history must be strong at the old RKO/Desilu studio.
If he were still around, and if I could talk to him, I'd tell him he's got some "splaining to do!" Lol Love the series!
Man, those were the days...today, stardom is nothing compared to that time frame.
Even Desi faced racism. So sad. He was such a beautiful man!!!
Everyone faces racism, even whites. I know that most people can not fathom that, but it occurs quite often. Ask the Irish and Italians who were there in the 1920s and 1930s, if they are still alive.
?
Technically, Cuban is an ethnicity, not a race.
It's still racism, you wiseass. Nice try with the pedantic semantics, but you are wrong.
@@howtubeable please explain.
Wow. It's great to see this. What a generation.
No one could have acted the part of Ricky better than Desi did - and he wasn't really an actor but an entertainer.
1983 best year , the year I was born 😆
Graduated HS😁
man, the industry hasn't changed in 80 years. The networks think audiences will accept one set of things, and the actual audience wants something else.
This 👆
I saw that when it aired, spring 1983. Desi sang "Cuban Pete." Everyone knew or should have known it would be one of his last appearances, he didn't do a lot of talk shows. It was really a kind of shock that Dave got him.
What a class act!
Rest in peace 🙏🏻 Dear Desi, we still love you and Lucy, I know you’re up there with our dear girl ❤️ “ mira que tiene cosa la mujer loca está “ 😊
Many television shows were filmed on the Desilu lot,including The Untouchables, I Love Lucy,and Hogan's Heroes (1965-67).Paramount Studios creates a tv subsidiary called Gulf&Western.
Desi Lu studios was where most of the westerns I loved to watch growing up, Star Trek TOS also.
Desi and Lucy Produced the pilot episode THEMSELVE'S for "I Love Lucy," and it was a smash HIT! NOW studio's wanted to invest in it.
This guy is the man...