Charles Nelson Reilly and Lucy

Here's a great clip of Charles Nelson Reilly holding his own with Lucille Ball. He would later say she taught him a very important thing at the table reading for this show that he remembered and used many times - "Good joke, wrong place."

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Charles
• Nelson
• Reilly
• Lucille
• Ball
• Lucy
• comedy
• Broadway
• gay
• funny

[k0Tizz]

as an actor and having read from MANY cue cards that is indeed what she was doing. it is annoying but also she is still funny.

[ohbutyes]

You're absolutely correct. What irks me about people criticizing this 59 year-old for reading cue cards is that she is doing this after having memorized and then erased 179 I Love Lucys, plus countless other scripts prior to this era of her career... which is a remarkable accomplishment for any actor.

[misswings83]

what!? How can you guys say she's reading cue cards? That's ridiculous. Anyone in his right mind would see in pure logic that she can't possibly read anything the way her eyes are shifting focus. If so she's a mighty fast reader. Give the woman the credit she deserves! She never had to do a retake on ILL. Top that. And she was always more prepared and rehearsed than anyone. Lucy's the best and always will be ♥

[palsee]

no way she was looking at cue cards her eyes were not even focused in one place long enough to possibly even read any writing that was just how she was reacting to the dude.

[xXvolhvXx]

They weren't allowed to say “ass” on TV back then (4:29), were they?

[2008atwt]

CNR is so cute here <3

[2008atwt]

I love these two so much. to see them both in one clip was a great find

[whewfan]

It's true that in the show's later years, Lucy did rely on cue cards. With her increased responsibilities as a producer and owner of Desilu, it meant less time to memorize lines.

[JerseyBob86]

Cue cards or not, Lucy can do no wrong in my book. The hours upon hours of joy she has brought to this world more than make up for any shortcomings. Charles Nelson Reilly was hilarious in this clip, as well!

[ladycrim]

@Rlotpir1972 you proved my point that he did a lot of game show panels. Therefore, it's nice to see him ACTING.

[Rlotpir1972]

@ladycrim He (CNR) was in OTHER game shows, like "$10,000 Pyramid", "Password Plus", "Super Password", "I've Got a Secret", "All-Star Blitz", "Hollywood Squares", and hosted "Sweethearts".

[justaguy12345]

The big magnifying glass bit is great. =D

[AlbieGray]

@ohbutyes I just LOVE the comedy timing of these two! It is hilarious! One of the rare times that Lucy played the straight man against anyone. It was absolutely masterful!

[excuseyou77]

"you bet your sweet" -- *ding!*