'Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy': Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about the Reelz special on the actress
Lucille Ball was an icon and remains to this day one of the foremost feminist influencers in the entertainment industry. Not only did she create the much-loved 'I Love Lucy', she went on to become the first woman to run a major television studio, Desilu Productions, which produced many popular television series, including 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Star Trek'. It is no doubt then, that the iconic comedian inspired many young girls and women who went on to become stars in their own right in Hollywood.
A new special from Reelz, 'Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy' explores the impact that the actress had on Hollywood. It also dives into the toxic environment in a male-dominated Hollywood as Ball worked to make her mark in a sexist industry. Read on to know more about the special.
Release date
'Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy' will air on Reelz on Saturday, September 12, at 8/7c.
Plot
The official synopsis for 'Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy' states: "Lucille Ball didn’t just make millions of people laugh uproariously. She blazed a whole new path for women in the entertainment industry that still resonates today. Her bravery and willingness to try absolutely anything to elicit a chuckle changed the rules of television. Comediennes Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, Debra Messing, and Suzanne Somers reveal to us how they were uniquely inspired by Lucy’s comic genius. But simply being funny was never enough for her. The shrewd, enterprising redhead—whose drama-filled personal life was constantly at odds with her public persona—struggled against a system created by men, all the while cementing her legacy by building an entertainment empire that would transform Hollywood as we know it."
Cast
Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett is an actress, comedian, singer and writer who is known for her work in 'The Carol Burnett Show' (one of the first of its kind to be hosted by a woman), 'Mama's Family', 'Annie', and 'Carol Burnett and Friends'. Burnett met Ball during the off-Broadway production of 'Once Upon a Mattress' in New York City in 1959, after which Ball became a friend and mentor to Burnett. The two women remained close friends until Ball's death in 1989. Ball sent flowers every year on Burnett's birthday. When Burnett awoke on the day of her 56th birthday in 1989, she discovered via the morning news that Ball had died. Later that afternoon, flowers arrived at Burnett's house with a note reading, "Happy Birthday, Kid. Love, Lucy."
Lily Tomlin
Lily Tomlin is an actress, comedian, writer, singer and producer known for her work in 'Grace and Frankie', 'All Of Me', and 'Big Business'. Tomlin looked up to Ball growing up, but as she revealed in an interview with The Greenville News, Tomlin was devastated when Ball said "I don't get her," about Tomlin. However, years later at dinner with Bette Midler and her. Tomlin recalls Ball as being was wonderful: "We laughed until we were sick. She did a whole bit about a root canal and then going to the Tonys. She did it for 20 minutes at the table. I thought I was going to die."
Debra Messing is an actress best known for her work in 'Will & Grace', 'The Wedding Date', and 'Along Came Polly'. She played Lucille Ball in the 'I Love Lucy' tribute episode in 'Will & Grace', which Messing stated in an interview with Variety, was an emotional role as she has been a lifelong fan of Ball.
Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers is an actress, author, singer, businesswoman, and health spokesperson. She is known for her work in 'Three's Company' and 'Step by Step'.
Producers
Lucille Ball: We Love Lucy is produced by AMS Pictures.
If you like this, you'll love:
'Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie'
'Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy'
'The I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special'
'Lucy'
'Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter'