Although the show ceased making new episodes several decades ago, Lucille Ball’s television comedy classic I Love Lucy still earns CBS close to $20 million in revenue every year, according to MSN Money. The show — which ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 — continues to generate massive amounts of cash money for the network thanks to the program’s continued success through syndicated broadcasting on cable and local channels. Ball’s unique brand of humor apparently still resonates with audiences today.

Businessweek reports that CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves recently spoke at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference in New York where he explained the value of I Love Lucy and the network’s older content. The advent of such streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have apparently been very kind to the folks at CBS, financially speaking.

“The world is a beautiful place, we’re going to get paid more and more and more,” Moonves said. Regarding old-fashioned syndication, he added, “Syndication is still the big dog here versus the online stuff.” Television programs such as the network’s hit CSI are relatively self-contained, which makes them valuable as a syndicated product. Serialized programs, on the other hand, tend to have more success on streaming platforms.

While I Love Lucy — which starred Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley — ended its original run in 1957, the shows remains just as popular today as it was in the 50s. According to Wikipedia, the classic sitcom was ranked one of best television show of all time by TV Guide, second only to Seinfeld. In 2007, Time magazine named I Love Lucy one of the best TV shows of all time. It’s no wonder that the series continues to make CBS an estimated $20 million per year.

Are you a fan of the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz comedy I Love Lucy?

‘I Love Lucy’ Reportedly Earns CBS Around $20 Million Per Year is a post from: The Inquisitr

Doris Singleton, the I Love Lucy actress who played Lucy’s neighbor and frenemy Carolyn Appleby has passed away at the age of 92. The actresses death was confirmed by Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

On her Facebook page Arnaz wrote:

“A day of saying hasta luego to two great ladies, Nora Ephron and Doris Singleton. May they both fly swiftly heavenward and enjoy a blissful rest for jobs well done down here. They were loved and appreciated and will be missed.”

Singleton’s character on I Love Lucy competed against Lucy on the show by bragging about her son Stevie which forced Lucy to brad about “Little Ricky.”

Speaking in a 2005 interview Singleton explained of her time on the show and Lucille Ball:

“She was nice to me, and she really liked my work. If she didn’t like you, you didn’t come back.”

The actress appeared on the show 10 times from 1953 to 1957 and she also held appearances on Ball’s future TV shows. Her other performances included the sequestered hotel roommate of Edith Bunker on All in the Family during the episode titled “Edith Has Jury Duty.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter Singleton also had appearances on Adventures of Superman, Hogan’s Heroes, My Three Sons, Hazel, The Munsters, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Fugitive, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby, M.D., Phyllis, Days of Our Lives and Dynasty. 

Singleton’s husband of 61 years Charles Isaacs passed away in 2002.

Our condolences go out to Doris Singleton’s family and friends.

‘I Love Lucy’ Actress Doris Singleton Dead At 92 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Visitors to Google.com are met with an interactive vintage TV set and a short video that features the word “Google” scrawled over a black-and-white heart that mimics the opening of iconic show.

A few seconds later, a click-able “play” arrow pops up, inviting visitors to use the television’s dial to choose from several memorable clips from the show, which ran on CBS from 1951 to 1957.

While Google is honoring Lucy via a Doodle tribute, the city of Los Angeles is celebrating the late actress’ centennial birthday by hosting a Lucy look-alike contest in Hollywood.

Being that 2011 also marks the 60th anniversary of Ball’s I Love Lucy television show, the Hollywood Museum has opened a new exhibit celebrating Lucille and her show and additionally has scheduled a look-alike contest and birthday cake celebration as part of the day’s festivities.

Lucille Ball died in 1987 at the age of 77, but she continues to surprise her greatest fans with many of her classic moments as “Lucy.”

When asked what Lucy would think about the tributes, celebrations, and other events dedicated in her honor, Ball’s daughter, Lucy Arnaz, said:

“I think she would, of course, be extremely honored and proud.”

via Long Island Press

Lucille Ball: ‘I Love Lucy’ Star’s 100th Birthday Celebrated with Google Doodle, Lookalike Contest is a post from: The Inquisitr