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Hi! My name is Michael Stern. Back in 1971 I was fortunate enough to see Lucille Ball, live and in-person in glorious living Technicolor, at a filming of "Here's Lucy." I was only ten years old -- but that studio visit literally changed my life. Over the next few years I was lucky enough to be in her presence and her audience on four more occasions -- and I would sit, absolutely enthralled, in Lucy's in-person audience, totally smitten with the lady and her charms and her talents. Little did I know she would soon become an incredibly important part of my life.

And then Lucy said, "...

In 1974, after having enjoyed a number of occasions in her company, Lucille Ball remarked for the first time that I was her number one fan. Wow! Was I surprised, honored and proud! It was a verbal honor she was later to repeat -- and on the air, when she guested on an episode of "America Alive."

In the late 1970's the famous redhead's maternal instinct surfaced, and she took me aside, telling me to stay in school and get a job. So I went about getting my first after-school job working in the linen section of a local department store. Within a few months, you'll never believe who came in, totally astonishing my fellow employees -- and the bosses -- and bringing her old film pal and partner, Mary Wickes, along to check on me, feel the goods and do some shopping!

And did I say she changed my life? That very day, Lucy also invited me to visit her home on Beverly Hills' Roxbury Drive to play backgammon. While I confessed I knew very little about the game, she said she would gladly teach it to me. A thousand games later, I can honestly say that Lucille Ball was a very good instructor, not only regarding the game, but also life itself. (But you did have to watch her closely when it came to scoring.)

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Today, 35 years after that first meeting with the world's number one Queen of Comedy, I've finally decided to write the story of our time together and share my memories of one of the most remarkable stars in entertainment history.  Soon you will read how Lucy and I came to share a wonderful friendship in my new book titled I Had A Ball.

If you would like information in the future about the release of my book, please send your name and email address to the email address provided below.

You may email me at: Michael@LucysNumberOneFan.com

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Michael Stern on TV

The video below is from May 2009 when I was interviewed on WKBW - TV in Buffalo New York during the Desi-Lucy Day Festival.

The article below is from the Jamestown Post-Journal from May 2009.  Click the picture below to read the article.

In March 2006, I was featured on Canada's STAR Network on a new show entitled, "I ". 

Click on the video to watch a portion of the interview.


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