Gregg Oppenheimer - Lucy Loves Desi: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Sitcom (Omnibus)

GREGG OPPENHEIMER - LUCY LOVES DESI: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM (OMNIBUS) (320kbs-m4a/158mb/69mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd August 2025

The onscreen pairing of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is brilliant, but the American TV network is doubtful.

"Who'd believe she was married to him?"
Lucille: 'But I am married to him!'

Martin Jarvis directs a stellar cast in Gregg Oppenheimer's inside look at his writer-producer father's famous TV series, I Love Lucy.

Anne Heche channels Lucille Ball in an outstanding performance. Co-starring Wilmer Valderrama, Jared Harris, Alfred Molina, Stacy Keach and Mike McShane.

The serial dramatises more than just the creation of an iconic TV series.

It charts the need to challenge existing ideas that balked at diversity, the comic dynamic of the Arnaz's partnership, and their commitment and integrity shared by writer Jess Oppenheimer - resisting network and sponsor demands and outdated censorship rules, bringing creative bonuses to US audiences and worldwide.

This roller-coasting five-part serial shows how TV, at a crucial time, learned from the established craft of radio.

Cuban bandleader Desi's inventive genius engendered studio techniques now taken for granted. Lucille and Desi's uplifting relationship flouted conventional thinking and defied accepted entertainment practice in one of the most influential sitcoms in TV history.

Omnibus of five parts.

Lucille Ball .... Anne Heche
Desi Arnaz .... Wilmer Valderrama
Jess .... Jared Harris
Harry .... Alfred Molina
Hubbell .... Mike McShane
Don .... Matthew Floyd Miller
Betty .... Janine Barris
Richard .... Mark Sullivan
Mr Paley .... André Sogliuzzo
Frawley .... Stacy Keach
Marc .... Matthew Wolf
Vivian Vance .... Anna Mathias

Other parts:

Anna Lyse Erikson
Allegra Riggio

Director: Martin Jarvis
Producer: Rosalind Ayres

A Jarvis & Ayres production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2020.