"If you love Lucy, you'll love this book (and CD)."—The New Yorker
"A must-have for true Lucy lovers."—TV Guide
"Oppenheimer's fond reminiscence is an important addition to the burgeoning collection concerned with TV's early years and subsequent effects on popular culture."—Booklist
"Offers intimate glimpses of the world's favorite redhead-and of a bygone era as wide-eyed and irrepressible as Lucy herself."—Total TV
Description
Jess Oppenheimer, the man Lucille Ball called the “brains” of I Love Lucy, gives us a rare first-hand look at television history as it was being made. A rich entertainment resource, Laughs, Luck . . . and Lucy features a hilarious memoir, more than fifty rare photos, three never-before-published scripts (including the only I Love Lucy script that Lucy or Desi ever refused to perform), and CD of Lucy’s classic radio comedy performances, unheard for more than 40 years! Oppenheimer’s book, written with his son, Gregg, is not only a reliable record of how I Love Lucy was conceived an executed, but also a humorous insider’s account of the broadcasting industry’s development from the wild early days of radio to television’s “golden age.”
About the Author
Jess Oppenheimer (1913-1988), creator, producer, and head writer of I Love Lucy, had an extensive broadcast career that began in radio's "golden age." His association with Lucille Ball began in 1948, when he signed on as head writer, producer and director of her radio series, My Favorite Husband. When CBS made a deal with the legendary redhead, Lucy made it a condition that Oppenheimer be in charge of the venture. He remained as producer and head writer of I Love Lucy for five of its six seasons, writing the pilot and 153 episodes.
April 1999