#to be fair number 11-13 in the ranking are all from s3

[asalesbian]

Killjoys (2015-2019) > top-rated episodes on IMDb

for @killjoysmonth prompt 'favourite episode(s)'

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY on PASSWORD ~ Part 1

1963-1964

“Password” is a game show created by Bob Stewart for Goodson-Todman Productions. The host was Allen Ludden, who had previously been well known as the host of the “G.E. College Bowl.” In the game, two teams, each composed of a celebrity player and a contestant, attempt to convey mystery words to each other using only single-word clues, in order to win cash prizes.

“Password” originally aired from 1961 to 1967 on CBS, along with weekly prime time airings. An additional 1,099 daytime shows aired from 1971 to 1975 on ABC. The show's regular announcers were Jack Clark and Lee Vines on CBS and John Harlan on ABC.

Two revivals later aired on NBC: “Password Plus” (originally titled “Password '79”) from 1979 to 1982, and “Super Password” from 1984 to 1989, followed by a primetime version on CBS from 2008 to 2009 “Million Dollar Password.” All of these versions introduced new variations in game play.

The theme song used on “Password” from 1961 to 1963 was called "Holiday Jaunt," composed by Kurt Rehfeld. That theme was followed later by "You Know the Password," composed by Bob Cobert, which was used from 1963 until the CBS version's cancellation in 1967 (listen above). When the show returned on ABC in 1971, Score Productions composed "The Fun of It." The theme used later in that version's run, beginning in 1974, was called "Bicentennial Funk," which was used until the ABC version's finale in 1975.

“Password” was most often taped in New York at CBS-TV Studio 52 (later converted to the Studio 54 disco) and CBS-TV Studio 50 (the Ed Sullivan Theater) until the end of the daytime run in 1967. The original CBS version made annual trips to CBS Television City during the 1960s. Mark Goodson opposed a permanent move to Hollywood so the network canceled the series.

The Milton Bradley Company introduced the first home version in 1962 and subsequently released 24 editions of the game until 1986. Owing to common superstition, these releases were numbered 1-12 and 14-25, skipping 13. It was tied with “Concentration” as the most prolific of Milton Bradley's home versions of popular game shows. Milton Bradley also published three editions of a “Password Plus” home game between 1979 and 1981, but never did a version for “Super Password.” Lucille Ball was fond of playing the home game. 

In 2013, TV Guide ranked it #8 in its list of the 60 greatest game shows ever.

“Password” ~ September 26, 1963

Lucille Ball (Celebrity Player)

Gary Morton (Celebrity Player)

[Note: No video footage of this episode was available for preview]

“Password” ~ December 26, 1963

Allen Ludden (Host)

The program is sponsored by Tame hair care products. The top prize is $500 and the consolation prize is $50.

Lucille Ball says that next Monday on “The Lucy Show” she will conduct a 45 piece orchestra. She is referring to “Lucy Conducts the Symphony” (TLS S2;E13) on on December 30, 1963.  

LUCY’S PARTNERS

James Waldo from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is in a stock broker training program.

Mary Ellen MacInally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a student who plans to enter the ministry.

William Sexton from Evansville, Indiana, has been married for a year and a half.

Ralph Jones from Westfield, New Jersey, is studying mathematics at Union Junior College.

Gary Morton says that he, too, will be on “The Lucy Show,” in an episode that Lucy had written for him about his favorite sport, golf.  He is referring to “Lucy Takes Up Golf” (TLS S2;E17) airing on January 27, 1964. In it, Gary plays Gary Stewart, Lucy Carmichael's ‘golf nut’ boyfriend.

GARY’S PARTNERS

Margery Blom from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a newlywed.

Robert Davidson from Rego Park, New York, has an insurance firm in Manhattan.

Jackie Lane from Nashville, Tennessee, is enjoying her trip to New York.

Sigrid Newman from New York City is a registered nurse at the New York Hospital.

TRIVIA

In round four, the password “TINKLE” makes everyone giggle. Ludden is relieved when Jones successfully guesses it in the second try.

When the password is “PROPOSAL” and the clue is “MARRIAGE,” Lucy's mind immediately goes to “DIVORCE.”  Lucille Ball divorced Desi Arnaz in the spring of 1960.

At the end, Lucy says her son [Desi Jr.] beats both her and Gary when they play at home. Ludden makes the usual mistake of guessing that her son is named Ricky. Lucy corrects him, smiling. Ludden says that Vivian Vance has challenged Lucy to a game. Vance appeared on the game twice previously, once in 1961, and a second time in November 1963, where she likely issued the challenge. A year later (September 24, 1964 - see below), the challenge was accepted.  

THE RESULTS

Lucy and James Waldo win the first round.

Gary and Robert Davidson win the second round, despite Gary saying he’s not being sure of what several of the words meant.

Lucy and William Sexton win the third round.

Lucy and Ralph Jones win the fourth round.

“Password” ~ May 7, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

Bern Bennett (Announcer)

The program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball is introduced as the start of television, motion pictures, and the Broadway stage. She had just finished her second season of “The Lucy Show.” Allen Ludden implies that there was a question if it would be renewed for a third season. Lucy reminds the audience that the show will start at 9:00pm in the fall, a half hour later.  

Gary Morton is introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Ludden talks with Gary and Lucy about golf, Gary's favorite pasttime.

Lucie Arnaz is from Los Angeles, California. She is 13 (in July) and in seventh grade. She doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up.

Desi Arnaz Jr. is from Los Angeles, California. He is 11 and in sixth grade and plays little league baseball.  He is a center fielder but would like to play second base.  

In round one, Lucy's partner is Desi Jr. and Gary plays with Lucie.

In round two, Lucy's partner is Lucie, and Gary plays with Desi Jr.

In round three, Lucy's partner is Gary, and Desi Jr. and Lucie play together. The children are playing for their allowances; a quarter a point.  

TRIVIA 

This episode was taped in at CBS Television City in Hollywood.

In round one, the password is “LEOPARD” and Lucy's clue is “STRIPED.”  She instantly realizes her mistake, as does the studio audience.

When the password is “HARP,” Desi Jr.'s clue is “MARX”, thinking of Harpo Marx, who made a guest appearance playing his namesake instrument on an episode of “I Love Lucy.” The audience audibly gasps at how clever Desi's clue is. Gary gets it right.

In the lightning round, the password is “THUNDER” and Gary's clue is “LIGHTNING,” to which Desi Jr. says “ROUND.” Ludden stops the clock, momentarily confused if Desi is just repeating the name of the game. In that same round, the password is “COWBOY” and Gary's clue is “GUNSMOKE.” Desi responds “CHESTER,” which is the first name of one of “Gunsmoke's” leading characters played by Dennis Weaver.

In the final round, the password is “CARROT” and Desi's clue is “RED.” He was probably thinking of his mother's hair, not the vegetable.

THE RESULTS

Lucy and Desi Jr. win the first round.  

Gary and Desi Jr. win the second round.

Lucie and Desi Jr. win the third round.

All their winnings will go to a summer camp for underprivileged children.

In the final moments, Ludden says that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be on the show next week.  He gives a plea for helping the Peace Corps.

“Password” ~ September 24, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

Jack Clark (Announcer)

The program is sponsored by Salem Filter Cigarettes.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball is introduced as the comedy star of television, motion pictures, and the Broadway stage. Lucy says the new time slot for “The Lucy Show” is 9 o'clock and that Vivian Vance is still with her on the show. She also mentions future guest stars like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and Ann Sothern. The show's third season premiered three days earlier on CBS with “Lucy and the Good Skate” (TLS S3;E1).  

Lucy's first partner is James Horn from Hubbard City, Texas. A student, he spent the summer working at the Texas Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. Ludden says that the most popular day at the fair was 'Lucille Ball Day.' The event was held on Monday, August 31, 1964.

Lucy's second partner, Vivian Vance, is introduced as “a housewife from Stamford, Connecticut.” This is indeed where Vance was living at the time, commuting to Los Angeles to do “The Lucy Show.” Vance's appearance is obviously a complete surprise to Lucy, and even to Morton, who is just as shocked to see her. She is playing for a charity called Medi Help.

In round three, Lucy is partnered with Peter Lawford and Gary with Vivian.

Gary Morton is introduced as the star of television and supper clubs. Gary promotes their 15-minute CBS radio show “Let's Talk To Lucy.”  As Lucy tells listeners, “Don't boil water or you'll miss it.” Morton is the show's producer and announcer. Dean Martin, Mrs. Dean Martin, Red Skeleton, Mrs. Red Skeleton, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are some of the upcoming guests.

Gary's first partner is Kelly Brummer from Denver, Colorado. She is a student with a merchandising major and a French minor, which confuses Lucy.

Gary's second partner is Mr. Peter Lawford. At the time, Lawford was married to President Kennedy's sister, Patricia. Lawford had an uncredited role (voice over) in the 1945 film Ziegfeld Follies that starred Lucille Ball. He often appeared on Goodson-Todman's other panel shows “What's My Line?” and “To Tell the Truth.” His winnings will go to the Kennedy Library.  

TRIVIA

Trying to get her partner to say “FRECKLE” Lucy is chastised by Ludden to “watch her gestures.” Gary uses the clue “DAY” to get his partner to guess it, to no avail. He is referring to the popular singer and actress Doris Day, who famously had freckles.

As usual, Lucy is startled by Ludden's “Yes!” when she gets it right.  

When the password is “DRAPE” and the clue is “CURTAIN,” Lucy sings a bit of “Everything's Coming Up Roses” from the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy: “Curtain up, light the lights...”  

During Vivian's entrance applause she and Lucy exchange some barely audible chat: 

Lucy: (to Vivian) “What a wonderful surprise. I was calling and wondering why you weren't home.” Vivian: “I wanted them to introduce me as Mrs. John R. Dodds.”  [Vivian's husband at the time.]

When the password is “PANTS,” Gary gives Lawford the clue “STRETCH” and he guesses correctly. Lucy says she would have thought girdle.

Ludden: (to Vivian) “Does Lucy have a lot of stretch pants?” Vivian: “Yeah.” Lucy: (chiding Vivian) “Don't tell him everything!”

As usual with Lucy, Ludden has to admonish her for gesturing too much.

Ludden: (to Lucy) “Watch those hands!” Vivian: “Oh, she cheats!” (laughs)

While Lawford is thinking about a clue, he tuts at Lucy and Vivian, thinking they are cheating.

Vivian: “Oh, no!  She said I look thinner. We didn't say a word about what was here.” (referring to the word card)

Ludden stops the clock momentarily when Gary inadvertently says the password during the lightning round.

When the password is “FEMININE” and Lawford's clue is “MASCULINE,” Lucy guesses “VERILITY” and then makes a lewd gesture thrusting forward her stiffened arm and clenched fist. She immediately softens it. In a previous appearance she gave her husband the middle finger!

THE RESULTS

Lucy and James Horn win the first round.

Gary and Peter Lawford win the second round.

Gary and Vivian win the second round.

Ludden closes by promoting that Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart will be his next celebrity guests.

“Password” ~ November 12, 1964

Allen Ludden (Host)

The program is sponsored by Clairol and Bufferin.

THE PLAYERS

Lucille Ball says “The Lucy Show” is on at a new time, 9:00pm. She promotes that later in the season, for three episodes, Ann Sothern will appear. Lucy says that they are trying to get Jean Arthur to guest star.  [This never happened.]

Gary Morton promotes Lucy's radio show, “Let's Talk to Lucy.”

Lucie Arnaz is 13 years old and in the 8th grade.

Desi Arnaz Jr. is 11 and a half years old. He has a new record out for Reprise Record with Dino Martin and Billy Hinsche.

For round one, Lucy and Desi Jr. are partners against Gary and Lucie.  

For round two, Gary and Desi Jr. are partners against Lucy and Lucie.

For rounds three and four, Lucy and Gary are partners against Desi Jr. and Lucie.

TRIVIA

When the password is “FLEA,” Desi Jr. mistakenly thinks it means “RUN.” He realizes his error in the second clue, which he gives as “DOG.” Lucy says “We're going to have spelling lessons when we get home.” Lucy and Desi Jr. win the round. 

In the lightning round, Desi Jr. is startled by the word popping up from the desk. It quickly goes back in and pops back up again. 

While Lucy and Desi are playing, Gary unwittingly says the last clue “HUNGRY” even though he is not playing. Ball momentarily shoots her husband the middle finger!  [see above photo]

In round two, Ludden starts with the wrong team and shouts “Cut! Cut!” after hearing a voice from the booth. It is unclear whether this was edited out for broadcast, but was left in for the syndicated master print seen on the Game Show Network (GSN).  

Mother and daughter win round two. This time it is Lucille Ball who is startled by the pop-up lightning round passwords.

In round three, Lucie and Desi Jr. are playing for their allowance: 25 cents for each point they earn. Ludden says that they did this the last time they were on. Lucy says if they win too much, they can't have it all at once. The youngsters prevail.

Time runs out before the end of round four, but Lucy and Gary win $250 for their charity anyway. Lucy announces that all the prize money will go to a Child Guidance Center in Los Angeles. 

The announcer promotes that Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows will be next week’s guests. Promoting Desi's upcoming record Ludden says the titles are “We Know” and “Since You Broke My Heart” although Ludden mistakenly says “Your Heart”. Desi quickly corrects him. Although Desi said earlier that the record due to be released soon, Desi failed to realize that the program was pre-taped and would air ten days after the single debuted.

Coming Next!  LUCY on PASSWORD ~ Part 2 (1965-1987)