Having A Ball Podcast

In this episode review, the hosts discuss Season 1, Episode 9, 'The Fur Coat'. They discuss the cost of such an item and the hilarious reactions from both parties to a simple misunderstanding. They also discuss the history of some of the items found in the Ricardo apartment along with comparing material gifts often seen in the episodes. Erika and Ziva also talk about what their idea of a perfect a...

in this mini review of the 'Let's Talk to Lucy' episode featuring the massively funny and talented icon that is Red Skelton, the hosts discuss Lucy and Red's lifelong friendship, their shared movie roles, Red's home life from his wife Georgina and a beautiful pause Lucille took to show honor to the hard workers of the world she so respected. ••• Connect with all things 'Having A Ball' ••• YouTube...

The hosts discuss Episode 8 of Season 1, Men Are Messy. This is a hilarious episode in which Lucy has had enough of Ricky’s messy ways. This brings up a conversation of keeping our own homes clean and stereotypes of men and women. Based off the radio show ‘My Favorite Husband’ episode, George is Messy, this episode gives us some of Lucille Ball physical comedy and references about sponsor Philip M...

October 15, 1951- I Love Lucy debuted on televisions across America catapulting itself and its actors to superstardom and icon status. 70 years later, we celebrate the juggernaut starring Lucile Ball as Lucille Esmeralda McGillicuddy Ricardo "Lucy", Desi Arnaz as Enrique Alberto Fernando y de Acha Ricardo III "Ricky", Vivian Vance as Ethel Mae Potter Mertz (or Ethel Louise or Etherl Roberta) Willi...

The hosts discuss Season 1, Episode 7 "The Seance". In this episode, numerology and astrology are the main focus of decision-making for Lucy and Ethel and the topic of superstition and beliefs of such theories and how they shape our thinking is compared. In this episode is where we first hear a few of the "risque" lines uttered in the show. We also meet Mr. Merriweather played by (Jay Novello) who...

In this episode, Erika talks to award-winning HBO producer of on-air marketing and creative services, Robert Stein. Robert had the pleasure of meeting Lucille Ball on a couple of occasions and he discusses those experiences and what she was like in person and how gracefully she handled herself. One of those times was being assigned to help Ms. Ball as she prepared to go on to speak at the Night Of...

In this episode, the hosts review 'Let's Talk to Lucy' with guest Bing Crosby. Much like the majority of these episodes, there's an eavesdropping element to this conversation as two very long time friends discuss Crosby's holiday signature song and Christmas staple, 'White Christmas'. They discuss retirement and Bing's love of golf. Lucille and Crosby go way back in their friendship and he was eve...

In this week's episode, the hosts discuss the episode that was inspired by the pilot episode of 'I Love Lucy', 'The Audition'. They discuss the differences and similarities between the pilot and this episode as it is also inspired by the radio episode of My Favorite Husband. There are so many outdated thoughts that are touched upon such as the place of a man and a woman, the lack of encouragement...

The hosts chat with child actor and ‘Little Ricky’ on I Love Lucy, Keith Thibodeaux. Keith was beloved as the son of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the much loved program and later, went on to play Johnny Paul Jason on The Andy Griffith Show. Keith started his career at a very young age playing drums professionally at only 3 years old traveling and eventually getting the role that changed his life. He...

In this episode, the hosts highlight the career and many 'Lucy' appearances of veteran actor and voiceover extraordinaire, Frank Nelson. His career spanned 6 decades with his iconic voice and hilarious "Yeeessss" born from his Jack Benny program days to his countless I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband cameos. They also discuss Mr. Nelson's work with SAG/AFTRA unions looking out for fellow actors...

The hosts discuss episode 5 of Season 1, The Quiz Show. In this recap, the concepts of the place of a woman or the intelligence of a woman is very much questioned and doubted in this particular episode. We meet Freddy FIlmore (played by spotlight topic, Frank Nelson) for the first time in the I Love Lucy franchise and the game show "prize" that is presented. In retrospect with 2021 eyes and ears,...

The hosts discuss episode 4 of Season 1 'Lucy thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her' and the intense title and premise of the episode. Since this is early in season one, there are many changes and upgrades to future episodes. Discussed is also the idea of slipping one's wife a 'mickey' when she is too anxious or to calm her down and how today something so intense and almost criminal would be frowne...

In this review of 'Let's Talk to Lucy', the hosts start off talking about a story Lucille tells about a bird attack in her own Beverly Hills backyard which reminded them of the fear of birds she carried from childhood. She is then joined by her interview subject, actress and singer, Sheila MacRae and they discuss her homelife and career and tour life while missing her children. Lucy discusses nurt...

The hosts discuss the third episode of season one The Diet. They discuss the pressure on women and absurdity that Lucy sees herself as 'too big' and goes to extremes to lose weight. Lucy's ultimate goal is to be in Ricky's show, of course, but once comparing herself to others auditioning, Erika and Ziva talk about how that still resonates to women and society today. The biggest treat is we get to...

Edit: Mrs. Martin's name is Jeane, not Joanne. In this episode, the hosts discuss the friendship between Dean Martin and Lucy We also discuss Lucille’s admiration for their family life and how they are raising their family during the time of recording. Dean Martin’s son and Desi Arnaz, Jr. were also joining the business during this time forming and performing in their band Dino, Desi and Billy. ⠀⠀...

The hosts discuss the second episode of season 1, Be A Pal. They discuss the complex relationships and standards of the 1950’s. They break down all the different things Lucy Ricardo tried to do to keep Ricky’s attention. This is a fun episode that involves a bit of Desi’s culture with Lucy’s rendition of Carmen Miranda’s “Mama yo quiero”. ••• Connect with all things 'Having A Ball' ••• Having A Ba...

MINI BONUS EPISODE: With the release of the 'Let's Talk to Lucy' podcast on Sirius XM and the podcast format after all these years, it feels like Lucille is joining the podcasting world with all of us! In this episode, Erika and Ziva discuss their takeaways from the first released episode with Danny Kaye and Carol Channing. They also discuss the difference between how free the real Lucille Ball so...

Often considered the first episode of the I Love Lucy series, 'The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub (Season 1, Episode1) is the episode immediately following the Pilot Episode. The hosts discuss the premise which is Fred and Ethel Mertz' wedding anniversary. They discuss the differences between men and women in the dating world and marriage in the 50's and how they differ from today. In this episod...

The hosts discuss the pilot episode of I Love Lucy- commonly known as the Lost Pilot. The premise of the pilot episode centers around what would later become 'The Audition' episode. They discuss how the set was designed, the guest stars and we had no Fred and Ethel yet- the search for the couple is described and who was originally wanted to play the lovable Mertz neighbors. The Lost Pilot was a re...

The hosts discuss Vivian Vance and William Frawley- shedding a light on these two iconic actors who often don't get as much credit as the two main characters of I Love Lucy. They discuss Vivian's theatre career and her dedication to helping those with mental health struggles. 'Vivian's lifelong friendship with Lucille Ball spanned well beyond I Love Lucy and subsequent 'Lucy' programs. The hosts a...

The hosts discuss the other half of iconic Desilu Productions enterprise, Desi Arnaz ("She's the Vice President, I am the President!") From his opulent childhood as the son of the mayor of Santiago De Cuba, to losing it all in the Revolution and ultimately finding his way to Miami and the planets aligning for him to meet Lucille Ball. They discuss the success of I Love Lucy and how Desi brought th...

The hosts chat with YouTube creator, Rick Nineg. All things I Love Lucy and other classic TV shows are discussed. Rick's channel covers all things I Love Lucy including: trivia, bloopers, backstage drama, Desilu historical facts, trips to the old Desilu production studios and other landmarks. He discusses how he started his channel and how his love of all things I Love Lucy began. As Rick says, "B...

The hosts discuss the Icon that is Lucille Ball. From her humble beginnings in Jamestown, NY to the pursue of theatrical training at school where she was told she was wasting her time and money, to being cast as 'Queen of the B Pictures', all the way to that fateful casting in 'Too Many Girls' where she met Desi Arnaz. Highlighted is of course, the juggernaut that was I Love Lucy and how the power...

Get to know the hosts! Ziva and Erika discuss where their love of all things "Lucy" began. From Erika's childhood interest to eventual admiration of Lucille and Desi to Ziva's bargain bin discovery and love/hate relationship with the nickame "Luci". Both hosts have different aspects of the "Lucy" world they love- the breakdown and trivia of each I Love Lucy episode to the business side of Desilu P...