Week of July 16: We Love Desi, Too

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Recently, Miamians got to enjoy a concert called "Babalu" and devoted to - who else? - Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. The show was created by and features their children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr.

One of the treats of watching "I Love Lucy," besides the comedy, was the chance to watch Desi Arnaz' musical performances. He spent years on the road performing many of them before he had the chance to display his singing and drumming talents on the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAV3bOJaQuY

Interestingly, what we know today as the introduction for the show, with the iconic theme song, only came about when the show was repeated after the series had ended its run in 1957. The song "I Love Lucy," written by Harold Adamson and Eliot Daniel, would not be presented on the show until close to the end of the second season, when Ricky Ricardo would sing it to his wife during the episode "Lucy's Last Birthday."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fn7PKzf5tk

The most moving moment on this comedy came in "Lucy is Enceinte," which is about......well, just watch and you'll remember:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UPbOtpM5OQ

It staggers the imagination that next year will be the 60th anniversary of the premiere of "I Love Lucy." People will still enjoy it 600 million years from now. Now that's a classic.

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George Steinbrenner, the New York Yankees owner since 1973, died this week at age 80. Among his television appearances were two great commercials: One for Miller Lite Beer with Billy Martin, his many-times-hired-and-fired manager:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_zDcQV6_6k

And one in 2002 with Yankee star Derek Jeter for Visa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7BaQEguYs

So long to one of a kind.