Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time (with "I LOVE LUCY's Lost Scenes" and rare Lucille Ball audio) Kindle Edition

This book was written by Gregg and Jess Oppenheimer in 1996. Jess was the producer and head writer of 153 episodes of I love Lucy and his son Gregg completed the memoir started by his father supplementing the original draft with journal entries and other materials his father collected over the years. This book not only gives an incredible back stage insight into "I love Lucy" but also stories from the early years of Jess' family which I enjoyed very much. From how Jess' father sold his stocks the week before 1929 crash(the family thought it was a terrible idea for a week), to how Jess became a writer for Fred Astair radio show (yes, he danced for the radio show audience). The stories were funny, entertaining, and revealing. Jess's relationship with Lucy and the camaraderie on the set were interesting to read about. I also liked that the book included a large number of photos. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and had a grin on my face through out the book.Ali Julia review

This book was very enjoyable. Jess Oppenheimer began working in radio and was also the producer and head writer of the “I Love Lucy” TV show. He has lots of interesting stories to share including fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. What a great job to go to work and laugh every day. I never realized that this TV show was the first to air a re-run, the first to use 3 cameras, and one of the first to be filmed, which enables us to continue to watch these classic shows. Lucy was also the first pregnant woman on TV. Jess explains the evolution of the show which began on radio with another actor playing Lucy’s husband. The show was called “My Favorite Husband.” Lucy had to fight to have her real husband, Desi Arnaz play her husband on the TV show. There was resistance because he was Cuban, difficult to understand, and a bandleader, not an actor. He also fought for top billing. Jess was instrumental in changing Lucy’s character from a spoiled wife to a scatterbrain which was the perfect excuse for her physical comedy. There are lots of great photos and other extras in the book such as links for audio of shows and full scripts. This book is highly entertaining and made me appreciate all that went into this enduring classic groundbreaking show.

Although this wasn't about what I thought (more Lucy and Ricky) I enjoyed reading about Jess Oppenheimer's life and work. A very interesting and smart man. They have some pictures and a few were of the Lucy set. it was interesting seeing the layout for I Love Lucy and remembering the many laughs my family had watching the show. The most I ever saw my dad laugh was the show where they (all four) were on a trip and had to spend the night at a ratty hotel/filling station run by Ernie Ford. When a train would go by the building the bunk beds would jump all around the room. It was great seeing my dad sitting on the couch in stitches. It was before 1956 and we lived in a duplex my folks owned. What great memories. If you're in the age group that watched these 'new' shows weekly I think you'd enjoy this book

Liked it ok, but thought it would be more about Desi and Lucy and not so much about the Author. Had some really good parts, and I did like it, but disappointed as it looked by title, that it would be a Lucy Ball tell all.

This book is probably one of the more enjoyable books I've read in some time. To think it might have never been given to the public to read makes me shudder! I'm so grateful the son of this talented man took time off from being a lawyer (shows Jess also had terrific children) to make sure his legacy lived on. Jess shows his talent in a very humble way, he is not critical he is just stating facts regarding his subjects. He gives you a glimpse into history with the beginning of radio, how he got permission (from his mother and family) to pursue his desire into that world. It also shows how his family tried to prevent him from persuring a carrer in radio by giving him the ultimatum of one year to make something happen. This gives thought to the fact as a parent, what do you prevent your children from becoming? It would have been dreadful that we might not have had the "I Love Lucy" Series today had he not been given the opportunity to pursue his desire in radio? As a reader, you are excited for him, you long for him to go on with the story because you don't want to miss a thing! You love learning about his beginnings but it is powerful to learn about how he resolved problems before him, being a quick study to learn about film, dealing with the disagreements with Viv and Bill, and learning quickly that Lucy was insecure and Desi was quite bright. He valued Lucy as a wonderful talent and never took anything away from her or others. He stood his ground and I probably loved that most in learning who Jess Oppenheimer was as a man. A must read!

Wonderful book

Wonderful and often very funny history of the I love Lucy show and also early radio shows. Well worth reading.

I nearly lost interest in the early chapters.....so before my time......but glad I persisted as the Lucy years are fascinating. The actual production history is even interesting and I then went to youtube and watched a couple of hilarious episodes mentioned in the book. Recommended if you watched in the originals.

Liked it but reader should know that about a third of the book is old radio and TV scripts.

Amusing, but it's a while before Lucy comes in and the last section of the book is composed of a few radio scripts -- which half as amusing when they're written down.