It's been early December since we last updated you about the forthcoming Best of Here's Lucy 4-DVD set. At that update it was said to be a 24-episode compilation that would arrive around May 2004. That much hasn't changed, but now we have some new information about what the hold-up has been and what the extras will be, courtesy of the message boards at the LucyFan.com website.
A couple of weeks ago, "Adam" posted the question, "Does anyone know exactly when the Here's Lucy DVD collection will be released and what episodes will be on it ?(Aside from the Taylor/Burton episode)"
Stuart Shostak, Lucille Ball's longtime video collaborator, was very quick with his response to Adam's question:
It appears the set (of which I am consulting with Paul Brownstein, the producer) is going to be delayed until May or so. We are still arguing over what episodes will be on the set. I am trying to convince Paul that the non-guest star episodes that focus more on Lucy and the two kids are better because they have complete stories with beginnings, middles, and ends. Most of the guest star episodes relied on schtick and were built around whomever was appearing and were not very funny. The distributor wants as many guest stars as possible, but the family episodes in the first three seasons were definitely the best of the lot. I think we'll reach some sort of compromise. I've been sworn to secrecy until the list is finalized, but I can tell you that the set will have 24 episodes over 4 discs, mostly from the first three or four seasons, and there will be LOTS of bonus material, particularly segments from the unfinished documentary that I found in Lucillie's archives that Lucie's first husband, Phil Vandervort, shot during rehearsals for several of the episodes. I "finished" this documentary in 1996 and added some bloopers from the series to cap it off. We showed it at our first Loving Lucy convention in 1996. The bloopers will also be a part of the set, too. Lucie and Desi Jr., along with Carol Burnett recorded audio commentary for some of the episodes. That's all I can tell you right now.
Wow, Mr. Shostak- that's *plenty*! We appreciate the in-depth look at the goings-on, and here at TVShowsOnDVD we heartily agree that a mix of family episodes and guest-star episodes is the right answer. We send our appreciation to "Henry M.," for tipping us off to this online exchange. Stay tuned, because we'll have more for you about this release just as soon as it's available.
