Real Reason: Why LILLIAN Appleby MORPHED Into CAROLINE Appleby on "I Love Lucy!?" 

OMG... How did you know! I was searching for this exact information. Thank you so much.

She played snarky very well. Loved their banter in all the episodes, but probably my favorite is Baby Pictures.😊

Very good video. I Love Lucy is my favorite classic show. Very informative video and interesting topic. Your videos are always a treat. Keep up the great work.

My favorite is “Lucy Tells the Truth”; when the girls settle down to cards in Carolyn’s newly decorated Chinese Modern living room, which Ethel busts Lucy for disparaging as “a bad dream after eating too much Chinese food”, hoping to win the wager she and the boys have made ver Lucy’s inability to be 100% truthful. Ethel, Carolyn and Marian Strong test Lucy by peppering her with three very personal questions: “How old are you? How. Much do you weigh? What color would your hair be if you didn’t dye it?” Seemingly licked, Lucy reveals all three answers, then further flummoxes them by turning the tables with several choice comments about individual lady: to Ethel, “You gab so much you don’t even know what cards are playing”; to Carolyn, “you cheat!”, which she would have noted earlier had they not been partners; and to a lol-ing Marian: “Quit cackling, I’ve been waiting ten years for you to lay that egg!” As the scene plays out over a very complimentary flourish by the offstage musical accompaniment, Lucy’s last zinger is to Carolyn: “For heaven’s sake Carolyn, when are you going to get a new deck of cards??? We’ve been playing with this same dirty old deck as long as I’ve known you!” Gold. Pure gold, delivered by a most professional acting quartet. That’s why it’s still watchable nearly seventy years later!

Awesome that you paid homage to her Rick!

I really enjoyed this! And that's because I noticed the name change many MANY years ago! But I never knew the backstory........thanks for the clearing up the mystery!!!

Hi Rick, Interesting information. My favorite episode with Doris is Lucy and Harpo Marx.

In the episode where lucy tries to get into the movies...(they're in California) and ricky comes in and says...what do you mean telling Lillian Appleby you're gonna be in a movie?!! Ironically this episode is AFTER she's already been on as Carolyn!

Some of the Best Episodes of ,’I Love Lucy’,with some of the best,well written and witty dialogue,are with Dorises Character, Carolin Appleby.

Thanks Rick. Very fascinating. I will be in the Anaheim area first week of July with the whole family. Going to try to see some stars on the sidewalk. Pretty excited. Let us get coffee lol.

Doris Singleton was also on an episode of All In The Family...

Wow!!! Only TEN TIMES!!

I just love this lady she was a great funny lady and her timing was perfect my favorite episode is the Harpo Marx one I never get tired of It

Lucy’s favorite school teacher was named Lillian Appleby ☺️

I recall either a nick at nite or tv land trivia saying they felt lucy and lily were almost alike which is why they changed.

Thank you Rick for the information. I like Caroline Appleby. I think the one with Harpo was the best.

One of the marks of a truly larger-than-life presence on a show is being shocked at how few episodes an actor or actress was actually in comparison to how many we perceived them to be in, which (in our minds) was a lot more than only 10 for both Doris Singleton on 'I Love Lucy' AND Paul Lynde on 'Bewitched'! Intellectually I know this is true, but it sure doesn't seem like it.

I think what happens with these old shows when they introduce a character for the first time most audiences won't remember a name change in a later episode because they never imagined that guys like you Rick over 50 years later would point out their mistakes. Loved you recent livestream !

I thought I was the only one to have a crush on her. Her voice and overall attractive mid-century glamorous housewife look got me the first time I saw her. Something you should have mentioned is she was a popular band singer and sang with a few popular band leaders in the 40's

This is a very interesting piece, Rick. You do a nice job. I, too, loved Doris Singleton’s work through the Desilu years. I will never forget having the opportunity once to meet her in 1998 prior to her passing.

I used to mix Carolyn Appleby up with the neighbor in Connecticut Betty Ramsey who turned out to be from Albuquerque like Ethel. I wonder why they didn't have Carolyn play that role too.

i had a crush on her. But I will admit Ethyl Mertz was my boo💖

Some of the most entertaining episodes were with the Carline Appleby character, along with the ones where Lucy and Ethel would argue with each other.

Tbh I always wondered why we never saw Lillian applebee again an now I see why

So many well written episodes on this show.

Gosh, I thought I had watched I Love Lucy "backwards and forwards," but I never picked up on the name change! To me, she was "always" Carolyn Applebee! Thanks for this video, explaining the change(s) and why!

Loved her! I enjoyed her, and the other actresses in "Lucy Tells The Truth".

7 years ago, a utube video revealed that Lucy's daughter said the name change was because Lucy changed characters' names to have "ar" in them to reflect the name Arnaz.

Kids today cant relate to watching I Love Lucy these days besides us because we know great tv comedy when we see Lucille Ball

I remember her in the Hollywood episodes.

Great video!! I guess I'd have to go with the obvious favorites, the 2 episodes of her visit to California. But I also loved the episode of Lucy's surprise visit to Caroline's with Little Ricky. Loved her mad dash to tidy up her messy Apartment. 😉

The most important question of the last century!

I really liked each of the episodes that revolved around the Girls' Club or League... watching Lucy interact with her 'gfs' is so hilarious. And of course, there was was Carolyn's new furniture that reminded Lucy of "a bad dream she'd have after eating too much Chinese Food" - one of my all time fav lines...thanks for sharing...I too loved the Caroline character and good description - they were frenemies.

Fascinating, Rick! I could be wrong, but I think in one episode, Desi/Ricky slipped and called herLillian. I loved her in the episode where both she and Lucy think that their respective baby is the cutest.

interesting! I love Caroline Appleby! Great video!

My favorite episode where we see Doris Singleton is "Lucy and Superman." "Lucy and Superman" is one of my favorite episodes. It is my favorite episode that is set in the apartment. Such a funny episode!

I thought it was kind of funny when Desi made the mistake(?) of calling her Lillian Appleby rather than Carolyn in the episode “The Dancing Star” with Van Johnson

Caroline's hubby, Charlie -- his voice sounds like George Jetson of the cartoons.

Great video once again! I sincerely believe you should write a book or have your own tv show.

Lucille Ball Liked Names that had ar in it. Recardo, Carmicheal, and Carter. The three series she had. (I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, and Here's Lucy).

Can you do a fun facts video on my favorite episode Tennessee Bound? I own the compete series on DVD but why on all streaming services like paramount+, RU-vid, Hulu, etc that play the show skip that episode as well as a few others

I thought the reason that "Lillian" was changed to "Caroline" was because there was a real woman, I think it was a socialite, whose real name was Lilian Appleby. The real Lillian Appleby made a complaint to the show about her name being used and she was note amused, so to speak. That is when the producers decided to change the name of the character. Originally, Lucille Ball selected the name "Lillian Appleby" for the character because that was the name of one of her teachers in school. But, apparently there was another Lillian Appleby that did not like her name being used on the program. That is the story I heard on one of the tv documentaries about "I Love Lucy."

All I know for SURE is I would struggle not to sell out my friend for that sweater and matching bag!! I've loved it from the first time I saw it until today! It made me into a bit of a sweater collector, not hoarder collector, but I've bought a number of lovely sweaters over the years, and a lot of times I'm thinking of Lucy's sweater. And Lucy lost the sweater to Caroline AND the election!

I love Doris in every one

I might be mistaken, but I seem to recall that in one of the Hollywood episodes with Carolyn Appleby, Ricky refers to her as Lillian. I think he says something like “Why did you told Lillian Appleby that you know all these movie stars?”

Singleton played an uptight snob very well, and that usually seemed to be her character, a great foil for Ball (and sometimes and Vance) to play against. Years, later when she guest starred in an episode of "All in the Family", as a very snooty (and, in this case, bigoted) woman who serves on a jury with Edith, the character almost seems like an older version of Carolyn. I think the writers had those old ILL episodes in mind, and wrote her character similarly to how Carolyn had been written.

I loved her character. Those episodes were great! I’ve watched this show so much that I knew she was first Lillian and then Carolyn but I never knew why. I think I have to pick 2 favorites here. When Lucy dances with Van Johnson I cry every single time I watch it. It’s very moving. The other one is Lucy Tells the Truth! I love the way she lets them all have it! She tells Carolyn that her furniture looks like a bad dream you’d have after eating too much Chinese food! And calling Fred and Ethel tightwad and tacky was hysterical! Thanks for clearing up the mystery Rick! Great video!🤗🤗

What a great surprise to find out that my best friend and I weren't the only ones to have a crush on Caroline Appleby while growing up watching the show 😄

I believe one of Lucy's acquaintances in Jamestown was named Lillian Appleby. She often used the names of people she knew as character names.

It was always good to see Doris Singleton on an episode of I Love Lucy. The character should have been used more in the series. One little trivia item. Desi calls Carolyn Lillian Applybee by mistake in referencing her character when they are in Hollywood. I'm surprised he misspoke considering the name had been changed years earlier.

Great video! I Love Lucy 💘 is in my top 5 shows all time!

I had a crush on her too. She was even pretty when she got older

You are truly a fountain of knowledge! I’m sure Lucy’s ladies club would have elected you to be a guest speaker!

Carolyn is then referred to as Lillian in S4E19 “Lucy Gets Into Pictures” where Ricky asks Lucy why she is sending a postcard to Lillian Appleby. But in “The Dancing Star” and “Lucy and Harpo Marx” when Doris Singleton makes an appearance, she is referred to Carolyn again and is referred to as Carolyn for the rest of the show’s run.

I loved her character!

The fact her name changed is interesting. I never noticed this at all, so finding that out and why it happen makes it even more interesting. Thanks for the video Rick, keep up the great work!

I read that Lucy had a teacher named Lillian Appleby. I also read she wanted it changed to something that didn't start with L. In The Million Dollar idea, Lucy calls Carolyn (you don't see her) and is bad mouthing her until Carolyn answers the phone. A real frienemy! One little blooper is when RIcky calls her Lillian in one of the Hollywood episodes!

In Club Election the sweater and handbag Lillian gets is absolutely beautiful! Lillian to Lucy after calling the members on the phone: "Lucy I really must be going". Lucy: "Oh Oh". Whereupon she dashes to get Lillian her reward the handbag.

I liked her in the Harpo show where she looked good in a dress that showed off her trim waist, and when Harpo carried her on his shoulder.😅

Hey Rick, I always liked Carolyn Appleby, my favorite episode with her has to be one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes, of course that would be with Harpo Marx. As always, your research is amazing, thanks for sharing another fun ILL video 👍👍🙂

She was on Here's Lucy and the Lucy Show ... through the 60s, not sure about the 1970s, no?

She’s my favorite too. I share a birthday with Lucy!

Only 10 times? Wow seemed like more

I recently saw the All in the Family episode "Edith Has Jury Duty" and thought the haughty hotel roommate looked familiar, and when I saw the name "Doris Singleton", I really had to stop and think "where have I heard that name before" 😅😅😅 IT WAS HER!!!!!!!!!!

In the “Lucy in Hollywood” shows, Carolyn looks younger, smiles more, is more charming, and is funny as well as fun. Her contribution to those shows is massive.

What’s funny is that I too thought Caroline was on the very attractive side but the actress I had a crush on from this show is Janet Waldo aka Peggy in episode The Young Fans

I always liked Doris and looked forward to when she was in an episode. Hope you are doing well Rick and are staying safe and happy. Blessings-Judith 🎵🎭

I loved all the Caroline Applebee episodes, but the best was when Lucy made a bet she could go twenty four hours telling the truth.

I don’t blame you for crushing on Doris Singleton. She was very attractive. And wow, only TEN episodes?? Seemed like way more and it also seemed like she was Lillian for more than just that first appearance. What a surprise. Thanks for breaking it all down for us!

I remember Doris on the Twilight Zone.

It's a good thing that with the name change happening rather quickly, that the "morph" worked. They played off each other wonderfully.

Rick Nineg I would like to hear what you think of Deborah Messings portrayal of Lucille Ball in Vitameatavegemine skit. I saw and think she got the look and mannerisms down. Of course her voice isn’t the same, Lucille had a deep and unusual voice all her own. But since you love Lucy I would like to know your opinions.

2 mothers battling for B~day guests & claws out for baby pictures makes it a race, but its gotta be Harpo, hands down. “Carolyn” really added to the cast

I always thought Doris Singleton was so elegant. Maureen O’Hara another one of my favs, years later I found out thy were not the same person.

Bertha Edwards name was changed to Clara Edwards on the Amdy Griffith show. why?

In the close up shot at 3:25, she sort of has a early version hair style of Carrol Burnett's character Eunice Higgins in a 19 year future television movie, a early version of Mama's Family, simply called Eunice. On a bit off topic bit, Eunice (1982) is a more serious portrayal of Mama's Family as opposed to it's slap stick television series counterpart one year later.

She was also in an Episode of The Adventures of Superman Can't Remember the name of it.

My favorite was with Harpo Marx.

If you notice carefully Doris Singleton was very short.

👍👍👍👍👍

Rick how do you find out all this hidden info? Amazing! One of my favorites in the episode when Lucy pays Caroline a visit with Little Ricky to gloat, Caroline put the two kids together to play then Lucy and Caroline argue and she asks for Little Ricky back to leave and says " I hope Little Ricky didn't pick up any of your baby's bad habits like peeling bananas with his feet" That cracks me up just thinking about it!

Carolyn Applesby is one of my favorite character, Thankyou Rick for the history of name changing on the character, I didn't even know about that. In the Hollywood episode 'Lucy Gets Into a Picture' Ricky read the post card Lucy wrote and accidentally change the character name from Carolyn to Lillian! 🙂

Her character - although too young at that time - always reminded me of (the mother of) one of those 1950s mean girls in high school or college that were always making some kind of appearance in B-movies! An odd storyline that she suddenly had to always wear glasses just for Hollywood, but not for any other! She was definitely missed by the time they moved to Connecticut, because Betty Ramsey only became adversarial to Lucy briefly and then became a good friend and neighbor!

Lucy tells the truth

Doris Singleton plays Caroline Appleby so differently in the Hollywood episodes that she almost looks like a different woman!

Hmmm. I believe Ricky referred to her as Lillian in one of the Hollywood episodes. He read the post card Lucy was sending to Lillian/Carolyn. He scolded Lucy for hinting that she would be in a movie or television in the post card. I met Doris Singleton at on of the Lucy conventions in Burbank, CA in the late 90s. I asked her why the name changes and she said she didn't know.

Nice tribute to Doris Singleton! She played the mother-in-law to two of the sons on 'My Three Sons', Mike and Chip. First, she was Sally's (Meredith McCrae) mom and then later played Polly's (Ronne Troup) mom. Whew, she sure had smoking "daughters"! I'm not complaining but it seems weird that the producers didn't hire some other 40-something actress to play Polly's mom. Then again, they could have went for a hat trick and had her play Katie's mom also! She also showed up on an episode of 'Superman'. She pulls a diamond off a voodoo idol and drops it in quicksand which causes problems with the local tribe. Think it was from the second season; B & W but with Noel Neil.

Enjoyed seeing Doris Singleton and she was also on Lucy's radio show; Doris was so pretty and talented; odd Lucy would care about the names of characters.

In a world full of trash I find class act post with you , David Hoffman 'film maker' & Jamal who covers music. Nice to know the world still has a few people who can post stuff without a bunch of trash.

I love Lucy

Did you forget she appeared in the superman episode

In The Dancing Star, doesn't Ricky / Desi mistakenly refer to her as "Lillian" before she makes her appearance?

Me too I had a crush on her also. My favorite was the one they both were competing for the cutest son.

Lucy killed me. She told Caroline that she hoped that little Ricky did not pick up any of their little Stevie’s bad habits like scratching himself and peeling bananas with his feet. LOL

Yes.., my absolute 1950's show---I Love Lucy!

RICK I would like for you to do videos on actors Neil J Schwartz who played BAG Zombroski on Happy Days And Skip Young who played WALLY PLUMSTEAD on The Adventures of OZZIE and Harriet. Bag Zombroski and Wally Plumstead were both PRACTICAL JOKERS characters. Bag liked to play Practical Jokes on Richie Postie and Ralph and Wally Plumstead liked to play jokes on Rick and David Nelson. Wally Plumstead Skip Young had a girlfriend named GINGER played by Charlene Salerno. Also Bag Zombroski played The drums in Richie's band and BAG was a member of the Demons club. I would also like to see videos on Roy Stuart Cpl Boyle on GOMER PYLE USMC and Tommy Leonetti Who played Cpl Nick Cuccinelli on GOMER PYLE USMC. I would also liked to see videos on actors Buddy Hart who played Chester Anderson and Tiger Fafara Who played Tooey Brown On Leave It to Beaver. Whatever happened to Actress Karen Sue Trent Who played Penny Woods On Leave It to Beaver and Actors Russell Horton who Played Junior Hocker on Petticoat Junction and Don Washbrook who played Herbie Bates on Petticoat Junction.

I have a "play Aunt Carolyn" I always thought that was a cool name. Baby Pictures was one of my favs. Especially when Ricky explodes! Telling Lucy she'd better get him back on Charlie's show. Lucy Tells the Truth (love how the girls "gang UP" on Lucy) Lucy still gives the wrong age, LOL!!!!

In one of the Hollywood episodes, Ricky mistakenly referred to Caroline as "Lillian."

Nice video Rick, thank you for profiling Doris i’ve always enjoyed watching her performances. Although my favorite performance by her is in the Dick Van Dyke episode the talented neighborhood. She plays the irritating Mrs. Kendall. Doris could do irritating real well.

I'm shocked she only appeared 10 times. She seemed to have appeared more than that. Then again, I've watched the entire series countless times so that might have something to do with it. Also, even if she doesn't appear, she's mentioned often.