HD Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett & Lucie Arnaz 1971 Interview on "The Dick Cavett Show"

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• published: 18 Mar 2017
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Description courtesy of The Paley Center for Media: This program features Muhammad Ali's longtime physician Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, comedian and actress Carol Burnett, comedian and actress Lucille Ball, and her daughter, Lucie Arnaz. . . . . ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 9, 1971, 11:30 p.m. EST on ABC . . . . In his opening monologue, Cavett comments on the anniversary of the death of thirteenth American President Millard Fillmore; the previous night's 'Fight of the Century' between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, attended by Cavett and many other notable figures; and the possibility of a White House wedding. The first guest, Pacheco, sits down with Cavett and discusses the "gory rumors" about Ali's injuries from the fight, including the apparently false claim that his jaw was badly broken by Frazier; the debate amongst fans and spectators about Frazier's win by decision; and Ali's pre-fight dietary habits, partially dictated by his strict Muslim faith. Next, Arnaz takes the stage and comments on her exceptional height; her dislike of her Beverly Hills Catholic school experience and sense that Catholic grammar-school nuns are "recruited from the Army"; the ups and downs of growing up with famous parents; and memories of playing Ann-Margret's role in her at-home production of "Bye Bye Birdie," presented in a converted garage theatre. Carol Burnett then joins Dick Cavett and Lucie Arnaz and discusses her "groovy childhood" and favorite games, including a memorable incident in which she pretended to be two twin sisters; whether her own children show potential for showbiz; her past as a rather literal "closet tap-dancer"; her mysterious "fairy godfather," the benefactor who gave her a sizable loan to start her show business career on the conditions of concealing his identity and helping others later in life; and whether she has ever been subjected to the unpleasant "casting-couch" Hollywood cliché. Finally, Lucille Ball joins the others onstage and discusses being "fired" by renowned Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld at the tender age of sixteen; her brief use of the stage name "Diane Belmont," after the racetrack; an unfavorable review from a drama-school teacher; her sense of honor at receiving the International Radio and Television Society's Gold Medal, the ceremony for which will take place later in the week; her amusement at reading a script requesting "a Lucille Ball type" and then not winning the role; Hollywood's "snobbish" attitude about drama over comedy, including Ball's well-received dramatic role in "The Big Street" (1942); the challenges of making time for family while carrying on a busy showbiz career; personal questions for Cavett from the three guests, including queries about his cooking talents and his unusual middle name; Sigmund Freud's comments on women and Burnett's opinion that the famed doctor was "mixed up a lot"; the personal attributes that they would most like to change, including Ball's famously dyed hair; and Burnett's hopes that her daughters will turn out similar to the well-adjusted Arnaz. (Cavett hosted several talk shows under the title "The Dick Cavett Show," which aired on ABC from 1969 to 1972, on PBS from 1977 to 1982, on the USA network from 1985 to 1986, and on CNBC from 1989 to 1995. During 1973 to 1975, the show aired irregularly as part of "ABC's Wide World of Entertainment." Other versions of "The Dick Cavett Show" include a variety series on CBS in 1975 and a talk show on ABC in 1986.) CREDITS John Gilroy........ Executive Producer Marshall Brickman........ Producer Richard Romagnola........ Associate Producer Michael Zannella........ Associate Producer David Barnhizer........ Director David Axelrod........ Writer Tom Whedon........ Writer David Lloyd........ Writer Bob Cunniff........ Writer Jim Mulholland........ Writer Dick Cavett........ Host Ferdie Pacheco........ Guest Lucie Arnaz........ Guest Carol Burnett........ Guest Lucille Ball........ Guest