The AM LOS ANGELES show staring Regis Philbin was one of the first daily, morning magazine format TV shows. It was broadcast live every day from the Prospect Ave ABC-TV network studios in Hollywood. This studio complex or ‘lot’ as it is called in the local jargon, was one of the oldest in Hollywood. Originally the lot was built in 1915 to film silent movies, later making the transition to movies with sound in 1927 with the first ‘talkie’ film; THE JAZZ SINGER, shot there. Many great moments on film and on TV were created at this old studio site. The AM LA show was broadcast live from Stage #52, one of the first sound stage studios at the site.
I was thrilled that I was going to meet and photograph Desi Arnaz. I grew up watching the I LOVE LUCY show and I felt like Desi was a wonderful, funny , family member. I was so excited that I waited for him to arrive outside the studio. I was expecting Desi Arnaz to arrive with an entourage of agents, managers, etc. He arrived alone with his nurse! I was immediately aware that Desi had become old and that his nurse had to help him use a walker to get around. Desi was slow and very quiet. He was being interviewed to promote his autobiography A BOOK by DESI ARNAZ(1976). The publisher’s press release stated that Desi wanted to tell his fascinating life story his way, thus the book. The backstage whisper was that Desi needed the money from the book sales.
As we readied for the interview it became apparent that it would not look good to have Desi enter the stage aided by a walker and nurse. The producer decided to open up the segment with Desi already seated on the stage next to Regis. Desi Arnaz, the legend, the icon now on stage with Regis, looked terrible. Yes he was old, but he seemed frail, tired and looked sad, perhaps even ill under the intense stage lights. Would Desi be dull, reserved and uninteresting? Regis was concerned how this interview would transpire.
10 seconds to live the stage manager announces. Open on Regis, 5,4,3,2,1, LIVE! REGIS does a quick intro on Desi and in a magical instant, RICKY RICARDO springs to life from Desi. A huge smile across his face, his Latin eyes flashing, BA BA LOO! Regis laughs, Desi roars and a fascinating interview begins. We all scream with laughter as Desi tells us about Lucy. Lucy’s memorable seal routine, Lucy’s grape squashing wine making attempt, her candy factory assembly line antics and the controversy of her being pregnant on TV. More. Desi explains how jokes about his RICKY RICARDO accent only worked when Lucy as his wife did the mimicking. We cried with laughs as Desi tells how on the show Lucy an ordinary housewife has big show biz fantasies even if she has no talent! As Desi goes on about the past we quickly realize that Desi still loves Lucy. I am in the presence of the male half of one of the greatest most famous couples of our time. The great romantic comedy team of Lucy and Desi is still alive even if only for a moment in time.
There in front of my lens sits mega star Desi Arnaz Ricky Ricardo. For me a moment to never forget. The segment ends as quickly as it started and just as quickly as Desi became again bright, handsome, funny, articulate, and ageless; Desi returns to reality, a slow, quiet, wonderful old man. Desi gets up and walks off the stage with the aid of his walker and his nurse.
In the last speech Desi Arnaz wrote before he died, Desi was quoted to Lucille Ball “I Love Lucy’ was never just the show’s title.”
