Lucille Ball

Jerry Lewis. No comedian since Charles Chaplin has been so loved and so reviled. He is America's Dark Prince of Comedy--brilliant, bitter, passionate and deeply conflicted. A man of many demons, his cockiness conceals a labyrinth of doubts and self-destructive impulses. An American original whom Americans have never quite come to terms with, he also happens to be one of the greatest filmmakers of the latter half of the 20th century. And for this he deserves an Academy Award. It's not surprising that he's never even been nominated for one. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a tradition of snubbing comedians.

"Lucille Ball was a gifted comedienne who brought laughter to millions the world over. Her red hair, her antics on the screen, her timing and her zest for life made her an American institution." --Former President Ronald Reagan on the death of Lucille Ball.

Doris Singleton, an actress on "I Love Lucy" who played one of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's neighbors and called her character "Lucy's nemesis," has died. She was 92. Singleton died Tuesday in Los Angeles from complications of cancer, according to her nephew Henry Isaacs.   Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz , posted on Facebook that Singleton died the same day that writer-director Nora Ephron passed away, according to the Associated Press.

I would like to thank KTTV for airing "A Tribute to Lucy." I found that the 10-hour commercial-free marathon was both enjoyable and very entertaining. We lost a true legend last month. However, through television, Lucille Ball will always be with us. Thank you, KTTV, for keeping her memory alive. Lee Burt, Orange

I knew there was a reason for reruns. Without reruns, KTTV could not have played 10 commercial-free hours of "I Love Lucy" on April 29. Lucille Ball was a brilliant comedienne who will be missed by millions. Patricia Lopez, Riverside

Veteran actor Gale Gordon will be honored by Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters at a luncheon Friday at the Sportsmen's Lodge. Gordon has played Lucille Ball's comic foil in three series and also portrayed Mr. Wilson on "Dennis the Menace" and pompous principal Osgood Conklin on "Our Miss Brooks."

Re Diane Haithman's "The Industry's Debt to Lucy," April 30: Proverbs 15:30 says, "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine. . . ." Assuredly, Lucille Ball brought joy to hearts, health to bones and the best medicine anyone would want--down-to-earth comedy. A. MANRIQUEZ La Mirada