Deadline reports that CBS will air two I Love Lucy episodes that it has colorized from the original printing of black-and-white.
The back-to-back episodes to play on CBS Friday, December 20th, will be the seldom-seen “Christmas Episode,” and “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (aka The Grape Stomping Episode).
The “Christmas Episode” was thought to be lost for decades until it was found by CBS in 1989. The episode finds the Ricardos and the Mertzes decorating the Christmas tree and reminiscing about how much life has changed since ‘Little Ricky’ was born. The episode features flashbacks of previous moments of Lucy’s pregnancy. CBS said it will keep the flashbacks in black-and-white.
“Lucy’s Italian Movie” features the Ricardos and Mertzes visiting Rome. Lucy receives an invite from a famous Italian director to appear in his next film Bitter Grapes. Lucy, thinking it’s a film about wine, takes it upon herself to learn more about the art of making wine and visits a winery where hi-jinks and hilarity ensue.
There were rumors of the special being commercial free, however CBS confirms that all the advertisements you’ve come to expect from your major network Christmas specials will be there. Holiday advertising is huge market, and CBS owns the rights to the I Love Lucy episodes, so the network stands to make nothing but money.