Professor Elam

Students are aware that I am a movie and film buff so no surprise. As this is Hispanic history month, my picks are those from the entertainment business.

without a doubt, one of the more interesting books I ever read was Desi, the autobiography of Desi Arnaz. Desi and Lucille Ball single handedly created the modern television sittuation comedy. it has been said that someone somewhere  is watching an episode of i love Lucy at all times. click on  the hyperlink to read more about this remarkable Cuban band leader turned television producer. He and Lucy purchased the old RKO studio and renamed it Desilu. He was the first mega producer, he knew what America wanted to watch.

Among his firsts, first mixed ethnic couple on television, first lady shown pregnant on television ( a big deal at the time), first live audience on a sound stage, the list goes on. While they were not able to live together,they stayed closed to the end.

Lucy could not give up the role and continued trying to play it way beyond when she should have quit. Carol Burnet knew when to quit her series by contrast. At any rate, a landmark talen, check it out.