Laughs, Luck. and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time

A memoir of the I Love Lucy phenomenon offering entertaining stories that chronicle the history of television's "golden age" as well as the last days of radio entertainment. Oppenheimer, producer and head writer for the comedy series, stays true to form by emphasizing the laughs behind the scenes and reminisces about his dealings with stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Fred Astaire, and Lucille Ball. The accompanying CD-ROM features previously unreleased radio performances by Ball, and the volume is liberally peppered by photographs and copies of scripts. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

This old-fashioned showbiz memoir, completed by son George after father Jess' death, is comfortable in tone and never wallows in scandal. Jess Oppenheimer knew Lucy, the TV character, from the beginning, and his star is chained to hers, not least because of the forgettable shows he created after Lucy. He started with Lucille Ball in 1948 as producer, director, and head writer for My Favorite Husband, her radio series and the forerunner of her TV show, I Love Lucy, the sitcom from which all subsequent sitcoms seem to flow and naturally the focus here. To his credit, Oppenheimer lays out the obligatory inside tidbits without laying them on. Yes, Vivian Vance disliked William Frawley, a matter Oppenheimer places in context, just as he does Desi Arnaz's battle for more creative freedom and a larger role on the show. And he gives us the inside scoop on Gale Gordon, too! Oppenheimer's fond reminiscence is an important addition to the burgeoning collection concerned with TV's early years and subsequent effects on popular culture. Mike Tribby