Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more time.
– Thomas A. Edison
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TRY
written by Kendall F. Person
On October 15, 1951 a landmark television show made its debut. When real life husband and wife Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball walked onto the set of I Love Lucy, the blueprint for triumph or disaster had already been laid. The shows creators were visionaries in their craft. Confident in the premise and its stars, they did not simply wish, however, to have a hit show, they longed to break new ground. In the current high-tech world, the innovations may seem archaic, but more than six decades ago, they were inventive, and more importantly, untested.
I Love Lucy was the first scripted television program to be shot on 35mm film in front of a live studio audience. Leading the way in the use of 3 cameras, the technique did not just blow away the competition and their one-dimensional view, it would become the standard bearer for its style of sitcom productions. Had the innovations not been introduced, there is a good chance the I Love Lucy show would have still been a hit, since both Desi and Lucille were already stars. But the details, the nuances, the out-of-nowhere innovations would defy all expectations, except, the visionaries, who imagined it.
I Love Lucy remains a giant in the television arts & sciences. Included in Time Magazine‘s All-Time Best 100 TV Shows, winner of 5 Emmy Awards, including The Peabody for “distinguished achievement”, and 63 years after its debut, I Love Lucy still commands a whopping 40 million viewers a year in the American television market alone.
Trying requires a preliminary acceptance of falling, without knowing if we will get back up. So if we accept this premise, a rut becomes a long term proposition, whis may be far worse than the fall every was.
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I love watching modern sitcoms and how many of the plots are pulled straight from I Love Lucy. It truly was a groundbreaking show.
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It truly was. Thank you for adding your voice and for taking the trip down memory lane. You are appreciated.
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One of the amazing things about “I Love Lucy” is its timelessness. I remember thinking when my kid started watching it — kids of all generations connect to it without ever realizing that it might be “out of date” by some standards.
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I am not sure about that. I ask my Niece, a generation twice removed, to take a random pole. (big smile)
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I look forward to the poll results. And I haven’t tested my own theory in a while, so if the poll weighs against me, I can take it 🙂
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Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein.
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Excellent post and a very good point. These are important words of support. Gaining a vision sometimes means going to the edge…the process of discernment is ongoing and often
exhausting.
I think this is why community and family is so important.
We do nothing on our own…We need each other for everything, that includes our individuality.
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I remember watching a documentary several years ago about what Lucy and Desi did, and how inspired I was by their vision — which has now become standard operaring procedure for all film/video production. They understood their craft well enough to know their responses and nuances could only be captured “in the moment” and spontaneously — just like laughter itself. Wonderful post about an incredible comedic duo we all owe a debt of gratitude to.
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Ned – Thank you for adding your voice. Very interesting to hear the perspective of a humorist breakdown the things that we just call “good.” But I Love Lucy is something special.
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My pleasure — and without question, what they created is something special and lasting.
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Reblogged this on CELONA'S BLOG and commented:
Great Piece From The Best!!
I thought I should share.
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I like how you highlighted the importance of breaking new ground, trying new things, and the possibility of failure while on the road to success. Shout out to Evel Knievel!
-john
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I like how you highlighted the importance of breaking new ground, trying new things, and the possibility of failure when on the road to success.
-john
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nice work!
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So good to know you enjoyed the show.
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Always visited the “Tribute” at Universal Studios to her. Wonderful memories. The best at what she did. No one better before or since.
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I had to give this some thought before I responded to you, but I do not think that I have ever met anyone who did not Love Lucy too.
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No, so great she was, with her husband such a visionary, far before his time. Perhaps that is you, Kendall?
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I Love Lucy is a classic, a one-of-a-kind and top of the heap.
I’m intrigued about the 13th.
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Your VIP seating has already been reserved.
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~(*_~)~~
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what a show! remember it well
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it is unforgettable.
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I love Lucy too. Should we get the popcorn ready for July 13? Will be ready 🙂
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And we will be ready for you. Places everyone. Only 5 days till the curtains rise.
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Omg tht looks dangerous
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{big smile} How could we ask for a better audience. You are appreciated.
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Smiles* you are really good with words.
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Funnel and inspiring reading. I Love Lucy remains as funny today as it was then. I can watch the same episode I have seen a million times and still laugh all the same points
>
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I enjoy your voice so much. ‘funnel and inspiring’ I had to look funnel up {big smile}. Always good to see you, Roy.
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My pleasure! Just realizing the funnel was a typo but an interesting one!
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