AMERICAN HERITAGE Claims "I Love Lucy" Overrated

Gregg Oppenheimer

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Dec 5, 2003, 11:12:59 AM12/5/03

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This ought to wake up the group.

In the October 2003 issue of American Heritage, Karen Hornick argues
that I LOVE LUCY is the most overrated sitcom in the history of
television. The most underrated? GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

Read the article at

http://www.americanheritage.com/AMHER/2003/05/over-under18.shtml

Any comments?

- Gregg Oppenheimer

James McCullars

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Dec 5, 2003, 6:40:33 PM12/5/03

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On 5 Dec 2003 08:12:59 -0800, g...@lucynet.com (Gregg Oppenheimer)
wrote:

>This ought to wake up the group.
>
>In the October 2003 issue of American Heritage, Karen Hornick argues
>that I LOVE LUCY is the most overrated sitcom in the history of

I guess she's entitled to her opinion. I don't think her assertion
that people were entertained only because they were contrasting the
show with real life holds water, since I never saw ILL until about
1970, and I had no idea they were married in real life. I just
thought it was funny as hell, and still do.

>television. The most underrated? GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

I hate to knock someone's work, but those Sherwood Schwartz sitcoms
just don't stand the test of time. At least not for me. Gilligan's
Island and Brady Bunch are just too formula and predictable.

My $0.02...

Jim

stnic...@cox-internet.com

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Dec 5, 2003, 6:44:54 PM12/5/03

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On 5 Dec 2003 08:12:59 -0800, g...@lucynet.com (Gregg Oppenheimer)
wrote:

>This ought to wake up the group.

>
>In the October 2003 issue of American Heritage, Karen Hornick argues
>that I LOVE LUCY is the most overrated sitcom in the history of
>television. The most underrated? GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.
>
>Read the article at

Uh, no thanks, I don't think I need to read it.....

>Any comments?

Speechless.

Rhonda

L Covey

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Dec 5, 2003, 7:14:19 PM12/5/03

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Not being familiar with Karen Hornick, I wonder in what age group she falls.

Lani

Davy McGlawn

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Dec 6, 2003, 12:09:14 AM12/6/03

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I read the article, and I do wonder what age group this writer is in, also!
I am only 32 but I have always loved Lucy and still do! I think she crosses
all age barriers! I think she is entitled to her opinion, but hey, I can't
really stand people so oppinionated in articles such as this, and do not
even spell correctly! Anyone notice a major mispelling on something? Not
just a typo! Just careless! They must have ran out of things to publish, is
all I can say!
"Gregg Oppenheimer" <g...@lucynet.com> wrote in message
news:170e51b1.03120...@posting.google.com...

Uniblab

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Dec 6, 2003, 1:20:18 PM12/6/03

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"Gregg Oppenheimer" <g...@lucynet.com> wrote in message
news:170e51b1.03120...@posting.google.com...

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but (pardon the language), Karen
Hornick -- you are a fucking idiot. Go enjoy your "Gilligan's Island"
reruns.

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ILoveLucy1256

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Dec 6, 2003, 7:16:36 PM12/6/03

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>From: g...@lucynet.com (Gregg Oppenheimer)

>Any comments?

Everyone is entilted to their opinion, but having said that, Ms. Hornick's
premise is off the mark. She claims that the reason why the show was popular
was because,

"The real pleasure of the series wasn’t wit but something creepier, the
audience’s understanding of a difference between what “Lucy” presented on
the surface and what they presumed to be happening behind the scenes."

She's half right. Yes, people watched because of the real life relationship
between Lucy and Desi, but not for the reasons she put forth. While it might
not have been the funniest show (arguable), or the most sublime (arguable), or
the most psycholgically revealing about human nature (arguable), people watched
it because of the chemistry between the two. Lets face it, in the fifties, as
today, sex sells. Lucy and Desi had a tempestuous, romantic, and sexy
relationship. Frankly, we couldn't take our eyes off of them.

As for Gilligan's Island ... no comment.

Bonnie

Scot...@webtv.net

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Dec 6, 2003, 8:29:44 PM12/6/03

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I always liked the show because I like to laugh. Her comedy is timeless.
You will always have critics. Its easy to bash success when you don't
have it yourself. Karen Hornick is unknown, Lucille Ball will live
forever.

Scot...@webtv.net

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Dec 6, 2003, 8:24:55 PM12/6/03

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I think I Love Lucy appeals to all ages even today. I know my small
nieces and nephews like to watch the show. They also like the Brady
Bunch and Gilligans Island. They were all great shows and thats why they
have become classic.

Scot...@webtv.net

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Dec 6, 2003, 8:22:29 PM12/6/03

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I think its nonsense and America's love for the show after 50 years is
proof enough for me to know that this statement is nonsense.

Scot...@webtv.net

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Dec 8, 2003, 8:50:39 PM12/8/03

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don't everyone give their opinion at once please.

Rob Ray

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Dec 9, 2003, 3:33:45 PM12/9/03

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I find it telling that, after all these years, there are only two
shows from the black-and-white era that still get constant airplay on
over-the-air stations: I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show. Even
Gilligan falls off the radar when not colorized.

This fact says more than anything else we can add.

Mando

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Dec 10, 2003, 11:38:35 PM12/10/03

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what about Leave it to beaver? that is still shown on TV Land.

I love lucy is and will always be my favorite show.it is shown somewhere
around the world at every minute of the day. it hasnt been off the aire
ever!! It is a timeless show that will last for ever and is one of the
funniest shows to ever be on television. I think that says enough!!

Amanda
"Rob Ray" <rr...@deltanet.com> wrote in message
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RJ

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Dec 14, 2003, 9:54:46 AM12/14/03

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g...@lucynet.com (Gregg Oppenheimer) wrote in message news:<170e51b1.03120...@posting.google.com>...

> This ought to wake up the group.
> In the October 2003 issue of American Heritage, Karen Hornick argues
> that I LOVE LUCY is the most overrated sitcom in the history of
> television. The most underrated? GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

Oh, what's the matter.....TRUTH hurts?

Worlds Apart...

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Dec 14, 2003, 9:58:26 AM12/14/03

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Maybe "I Love Lucy" didn't have anyone AMERICAN HERITAGE wanted to 'do'
on the show?

RJ

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Dec 16, 2003, 5:59:45 AM12/16/03

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"Worlds Apart..." <YouGotMeConfuse...@res.foetus> wrote in message news:<3FDC7BB7...@res.foetus>...

> Maybe "I Love Lucy" didn't have anyone AMERICAN HERITAGE wanted to 'do'
> on the show?

Of course! That's it! Besides, what other reason would "A.M." have to
criticize "I Love Lucy", except maybe that the show DID suck??

Mando

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Dec 30, 2003, 12:51:46 AM12/30/03

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Why did the show suck? giv eme one legit reason!
"RJ" <el_p...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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RJ

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Dec 30, 2003, 5:02:03 PM12/30/03

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"Mando" <Ma...@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<Sn8Ib.11442$lo3....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...

> Why did the show suck? giv eme one legit reason!

Two words......"Lucille Ball".