People

50TH B'DAY OF WEEK THAT CHANGED TELEVISION

It was 50 years ago this week (10/15/51) that a red-haired comedienne and her Cuban-born husband changed the course of American television. Lucille Ball, already a star of movies and radio, joined bandleader-husband Desi Arnaz in a pioneering new TV show, "I Love Lucy." It may sound trite to say that "the rest is history." But, the rest IS history.

Lucy had been the star of a very popular radio show called "My Favorite Husband," opposite radio actor Richard Denning. With her marriage to Desi nearly on the rocks -- they never could seem to find time to be together -- she and Desi enlisted the writers of the radio show to help produce a vehicle in which they both could work in the new medium of television. Getting backers was slow. Most thought that viewers would not accept an all-American girl married to a Latin bandleader with a horrible accent. Some told Lucy that "no would will ever think he's your husband!" "But," Lucy retorted, "he IS my husband."

Putting the show together, using the three-camera film technology that Desi insisted upon, cost more money than his backers would go for. So, Lucy and Desi "hocked the farm" and got the money to produce the sitcom. As a trade out, CBS agreed that the couple would own future distribution rights in return for their contributions.

How valuable those rights would eventually become. Now the show is part of the American culture. It's in the history books. Few people in the world don't know who Lucy and Desi are. It's safe to say that, at any given moment, somewhere in the world some TV station is showing "I Love Lucy." It's broadcast in 90 countries and has been dubbed into a dozen languages.

Yes, Desi and Lucy bet the farm and won it back a thousand-fold. Happy birthday, "I Love Lucy." For we baby boomers whose first real introduction to the sitcom was being introduced to the Ricardos and the Mertzes, how lucky we were.

RADIO AMATEURS MAY ABANDON MORSE CODE

Since the beginning of "ham" or amateur radio, signals have been sent as "dits" and "dots" in Morse Code. As a matter of fact, many hams preferred code to voice because it is discernible in bad weather and horrible reception where voice often gets garbled. But, with the invention of better radios and new technology, even the use of satellites, many modern-day hams have questioned whether the old Morse Code should have to be mastered as a requirement for getting on the air. Many hams never use code after learning it.

Now the people who coordinate amateur radio around the world, the folks at the International Amateur Radio Union's Administrative Council, say that they support the dropping of the code requirement for many radio users. The group says it is also urging countries around the world who vote to keep the requirement to lower the necessary speed to five words per minute. The governing body says it plans to present a series of "modernization changes" at the group's next World Amateur Radio Day, set for April 18 of next year.

CHINESE CHEF GOES 7-11 ONE BETTER

An Oregon-based chef has combined the best of a Chinese carryout with the traditional inventory of a convenience store. Kenny Lin owns Kenny's Chinese Food To Go/Express Mart in the Portland, Ore., suburbs. Lin tells the Portland Tribune that his shop isn't exactly a Chinese take-out and it isn't just a convenience store, but a marriage of both. He offers a full menu of traditional Chinese dishes, but also sells the usual compliment of convenience store items, including pop, snacks, milk, ice and other household essentials.

The publication's Susan Houser says that Lin opened the convenience store first, then added a full-service kitchen in one corner of the building. He moved to the States from Taiwan when he was in his early 20s and worked in his uncle's restaurants. At one time he tried his hand at owning a restaurant in Arkansas. Lin, who also caters for parties, says that he enjoys serving the public in the convenience store setting, but also gets to continue his love of cooking. He also offers a deep discount for items that are taken home; they are often sold at half the price of food that is eaten inside.

ASNER TO GET LIFETIME HONOR

Jovial actor Ed Asner, famous for his portrayal of short-tempered newspaperman Lou Grant, will receive the next lifetime achievement award of the Screen Actors Guild. Published reports indicate that Asner -- a former president of that prestigious group -- will be honored at the guild's awards show early next year. The organization says that along with his work as an actor, Asner will be honored for years of charitable and humanitarian work.

Asner played newspaperman Lou Grant in the show of the same name; that program was a spin-off of his original role as Grant in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1982), set in a TV newsroom. In addition to his two memorable television roles, Asner has also appeared in a raft of movies and other projects, including "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs" and "Roots." He has also narrated many documentaries, including the award-winning six-part history of RKO Studios. Grant is now 71.

NICKEL CREEK METEORIC BLUEGRASS GROUP

The bluegrass group Nickel Creek has wowed 'em in Indianapolis. David Lindquist, reviewer for the Indianapolis Star, says that the group's mandolin player, Chris Thile, is due to be remembered among the greats of the instrument -- though he is only 20 right now. Thile is described as having complete control over the mandolin. His playing is the kind of virtuoso performance that makes music experts sit up and take notice, trying to find fault -- if any -- in his complete mastery of the instrument.

The group performed at Indy's Murat Egyptian Room to a packed house.

The other members of the group are a brother-sister team, Sara and Sean Watkins. Sara plays violin and brother Sean plays guitar.

If Lindquist's enthusiasm for the group is any indication, Nickel Creek will remain in the forefront of the country world's sudden re-interest in bluegrass and Thile should develop into a modern-day combination of Roy Clark and Jimi Hendrix.

MAN WHO BURGLARIZED JERRY HALL HOME JAILED

A man who was convicted of stealing more than $10,000 worth of property from the home of model-actress Jerry Hall has been jailed for three years. David Bryce said he never entered Hall's home in the southwest suburbs of London. He was accused of stealing candlesticks, jewelry and other items including computer equipment while Hall's 2-year-old son and the boy's nanny were sleeping nearby. Police used fingerprints found on the recovered candlestick in making their case. Published reports indicate that the 33-year-old antiques dealer had been previously convicted for more than 40 offenses, dating back to 1980. Among the charges were theft and dealing in stolen property.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 181

Today's question is inspired by this week's 50th anniversary of the "I Love Lucy" program. So, here goes: "What are your memories or feelings about the historic series and the current marathon re-showing of all the shows on TV Land?" Put LUCY in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 176 (PEEVES)

Last week we asked about the little things that bother you ... pet peeves. There were so many replies to this question that we could spend all week printing them. But, as space permits, here are some of the responses: Charles wrote about a peeve that is dear to my heart and one that really gets me angry: people who abuse the handicapped parking spaces. He says that to make matters worse, people often use the handicapped spots as a mini-parking lot for shopping carts. DK, from Texas, is among many who say that fast food workers are far to slow to get your drive-through order processed. WindyWash says that although she loves the patriotic fervor being displayed in this country she does not like the tattered and torn symbols some people are displaying. Cardbbc echoes the sentiments of many, saying that phone manners have gone to Hades. Anne hates stickers on fruits and veggies that have to be removed before sending them down the disposal. Anne, just throw them in, but don't tell the repairman I told you to do it. Kathy says she hates it when a cashier gives you your paper money with the loose change stacked on top. Kathy, I hate that also. Cathy B -- who obviously reads this column in order to revel in perfect grammar -- says she hates it when people say "I could care less" when then mean "I couldn't care less." Cathy, my question is why do ALL TV and radio commercials have at least one grammatical error in them? I know it sounds more conversational, but some people actually DO have a mastery of the language and some people do use proper grammer. Why not put THEM in commercials? Nancy has sent in a reply that is so close to something I would write that I want to thank her. She agrees with me that it's sad that the makers of those huge SUVs, such as the Navigator, don't have the money to put turn signals in them. Nancy, take it from me, the more expensive the car the less of a chance that it came with turn signals. It wouldn't be so bad if a person could see over or around those "land yachts," but ... ! Finally, Caroleandgene in British Columbia hate it when, in their mostly English-speaking province, stockers put the French-labeled side of the cans facing out and the English side facing away from customers. Dites leur retourner les boites de conserve! GBA.