Lucille Ball ran Desilu and was friends with Ethel Merman. Desilu created this half hour comedy show for Ms. Merman which would have Merman belt out 2 songs per show. Maggie Brown failed to attract a sponsor and the show never aired on CBS. Ms. Ball was deeply disappointed because Merman was both a close friend and Ms. Ball felt that Merman could return Desilu to fame as a comedy factory. In fact Desilu under Ms. Ball's tenure and the able Executive Vice President Herbert Solow produced smash hit drama shows such as Mission Impossible, Star Trek and Mannix. Lucille Ball had Desilu go out in a blaze of glory with a smash hit Desilu movie Yours Mine and Ours.
Ethel Merman larger than life never had a hit TV show.
Ethel Merman larger than life never had a hit TV show.
