Playing Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, made Desi Arnaz a star. Behind the scenes, he created what became standard procedures for producing, shooting, lighting and broadcasting TV sitcoms. Author Todd Purdum talks about his new book Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television. Also, we hear from Mark Hamill. He's in the new movie The Life of Chuck and is known for playing the iconic hero Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars movies. He talks about auditioning for the film and acting with puppets. Plus, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new HBO documentary, Pee-Wee as Himself.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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From WHYY in Philadelphia, this is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Sam Brigger.
Lucy, I'm home.
Playing Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy made Desi Arnaz a star. Behind the scenes, he created what became standard procedures for producing, shooting, lighting, and broadcasting TV sitcoms. Today, author Todd Purdom talks about his new book, Desi Arnaz, The Man Who Invented Television. Also, we hear from Mark Hamill.
He's in the new movie, The Life of Chuck, and is known for playing the iconic hero, Luke Skywalker, in the Star Wars movies. When George Lucas cast him for the first movie, Hamill wasn't sure what to make of the script, so he turned to his co-star for help.
I said, Harrison, you worked with George on American Graffiti. Is this like a parody of Flash Gordon? He said, hey, kid, let's just get it done, all right? So he was no help whatsoever.
Plus, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new HBO documentary Pee Wee As Himself. That's coming up on Fresh Air Weekend.
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