Desi Arnaz Master Negotiator (article) by Paul Kyriazi on AuthorsDen

The Desilu special ‘Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana’ had a running time of an hour and 15 minutes. Longer or shorter would ruin it. Desi did not want to ruin it, so he called the president of US Steel who sponsored the TV dramatic show that followed Desi's show: The US Steel Hour. Desi said to the president:

“You know, I’ve got the number one show on TV, but I’ve got a problem with my special running 15 minutes too long. But I think you can benefit from it.”

“How’s that?” the president asked.

“Well, your show’s not doing too good.”

“You can say that again.”

“So, I need you to cut your next show down to 45 minutes. Your show follows mine and at 15 minute mark, when my show ends, I’ll come on screen as Desi Arnaz, not Ricky Ricardo, thank the US Steel Hour for giving us the time and tell them to stay tuned to your show and that I heard it’s a good one this week. It would be too late for people to turn the channel and watch another show, so they’ll probably stay tuned to watch your show. Editing your show down to 45 minutes won’t hurt it, it might make it better, or at least 15 minutes less bad. And I know you’ll double your ratings that night.”

Desi said, the guy was ‘laughing like hell’ and said, “Who pays for the 15 minutes we’re giving up?”

“Our sponsor the Ford Motor Company will pay. "

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Desi said, “Will you call Mr. Paley (Network President) because if I call him, he won’t believe that you gave me the 15 minutes.”

The call was made, and it was the only hour and 15 minute show ever broadcast in the history of TV. And the US Steel Hour did double its ratings that week.

Bonus Story - Don't Miss This -

In 1944, I was still in the Army, in charge of their Los Angeles hospital recreation program. I got a call from Lucy’s lawyer saying she was divorcing me. I wasn’t going to contest it. A few days later, I called Lucy and said, “Hi. What are you doing tonight?” “I’m divorcing your tomorrow. “I know. But how about dinner?”

We went to dinner, ended up at her apartment and had a beautiful night in bed. At 7:30AM, Lucy jumped out of bed and said, “Oh, my God. I’m late.” “Where are you going?” “I told you. I’m divorcing you this morning.” “You’re not going to go through with it now, are you?”

“I’ve got to go through with it. All the reporters will be there, and I’ve got a new suit and hat. I won’t say too many bad things about you. And I’ll be back as soon as I can.” “Hurry back, you crazy nut.”

She went to court, got the divorce and came back and joined me in bed. This annulled the divorce because in California, at that time, there is a one year waiting period for the divorce to become legal. And if the husband and wife have an affair during that year, the divorce is automatically null and void. So, we both went back to our house in North Los Angeles where the hospital was only 15 minutes away, and I could be home most nights.

Reviewed by Eva Pasco

Reviewed on December 24, 2019

I enjoyed reading your account of Desi Arnaz, one more testament about his smarts in show biz.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on December 22, 2019

In order to negotiate like that, you have to know the rules and even, the unwritten rules. Dezi Arnaz may have portrayed himself as a crazy emigrant, but he was one smart cookie.

I wish I had read that second story and then checked Texas divorce law. Because, then, my ex-wife and I may have notified our divorce. ;-)

Ron