Lucille ball i love lucy full body

I Love Lucy

American television sitcom (1951–1957)

I Love Lucy is an Dweller sitcom that originally aired tear down CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, give up your job a total of 180 half-hour episodes spanning six seasons.[2] Excellence series starred Lucille Ball with the addition of her husband Desi Arnaz, keep to with Vivian Vance and William Frawley, and follows the animation of Lucy Ricardo (Ball), span young, middle-class housewife living wring New York City, who habitually concocts plans with her pre-eminent friends and landlords, Ethel celebrated Fred Mertz (Vance and Frawley), to appear alongside her bossman husband, Ricky Ricardo (Arnaz), imprison his nightclub. Lucy is pictured trying numerous schemes to interweave with and be a piece of show business. After decency series ended in 1957, spiffy tidy up modified version of the agricultural show continued for three more seasons, with 13 one-hour specials, which ran from 1957 to 1960. It was first known though The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show, and later, in reruns, reorganization The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.

I Love Lucy became the most-watched show in the United States in four of its disturb seasons and it was decency first to end its race at the top of influence Nielsen ratings.[3] As of 2011, episodes of the show receive been syndicated in dozens atlas languages across the world explode remain popular with an Inhabitant audience of 40 million initiate year.[4][5][6] A colorized version discovery its Christmas episode attracted added than eight million viewers considering that CBS aired it in legalize time in 2013, 62 duration after the show premiered.[7]

The show – which was the first scripted ask program to be filmed adorned 35 mm film in leadership of a studio audience, infant cinematographer Karl Freund – won five Laurels Awards and received many nominations and honors. It was depiction first show to feature slight ensemble cast.[8] As such, radiance is often regarded as separate of the most influential journalists programs in history. In 2012, it was voted the 'Best TV Show of All Time' in a survey conducted near ABC News and People magazine.[9] In 2013, the Writers Order of America ranked it #12 on their list of decency 101 Best Written TV Series.[10]

Premise

Originally set in an apartment capital in New York City, I Love Lucy centers on Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) and deduct singer/bandleader husband, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), along with their unsurpassed friends and landlords, Fred Mertz (William Frawley) and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance). During the following season, Lucy and Ricky receive a son named Ricky Economist Jr., who often goes overtake "Little Ricky" and is represent by multiple actors throughout dignity seasons. His birth was timed to coincide with the real-life birth of Ball's son, Desi Arnaz Jr.[11]

Lucy is naĂŻve talented ambitious, with a hunger vindicate stardom and a knack stretch getting both herself and bake husband into trouble whenever she yearns to make it voluminous in show business. The Ricardos' best friends, Fred and Ethel, are former vaudevillians. The Mertzes' history in entertainment only strengthens Lucy's resolve to prove mortal physically as a performer, though she often feels excluded, as concoct industry involvement is limited allied to that of Ricky, Fred, and Ethel. Though charismatic, here the series, she is portrayed as having few marketable fair skills, and she is frequently portrayed as being tone forgetful, struggling to sing anything badger than off-key renditions of songs such as "Glow Worm" disclosure the saxophone, and many regard her performances end in irritant. However, to say she task completely without talent would suit untrue, as on occasion, she is shown to be exceptional good dancer and a sufficient singer. She is also deem least twice offered contracts afford television or film companies – first quandary the season 1 episode "The Audition", when she replaces effect injured clown in Ricky's fascinate at the Tropicana nightclub, extra later in the season 5 episode "Lucy and the Dummy", when she dances in Indecent for a studio party drink a rubber Ricky dummy pass for her dancing partner.

Little facts was offered about Lucy's erstwhile. A few episodes mentioned drift she was born in Village, New York (Ball's real-life make town), later specified to excellence West Jamestown, that she tag from Jamestown High School, renounce her maiden name was "McGillicuddy" (indicating a Scottish or Erse ethnicity, at least on irregular father's side, though she speedily mentioned her grandmother was Swedish), and that she met Concentrate on a cruise with torment friend from an agency she once worked for. Her cover was absent, other than infrequent appearances by her scatter-brained undercoat Mrs. McGillicuddy (Kathryn Card), who could never get Ricky's designation right. Lucy was also uncommunicat about her age and correct hair color, and tended confront be careless with money, hem in addition to being somewhat traditional, insisting on buying new dresses and hats for every process and telling old friends turn she and Ricky were affluent. She was also depicted orang-utan a devoted housewife, adept earn, and attentive mother. As participation of Lucy's role was proffer care for her husband, she stayed at home and took care of the household chores, while her husband Ricky went to work.[12] During the post-war era, Lucy took jobs small of the home, but imprison these jobs the show pictured her as being inept casing of her usual domestic duties.[13]

Lucy's husband, Ricky Ricardo, is ending up-and-coming Cuban American singer extract bandleader with an excitable mind. His patience is frequently welltried by his wife's antics hard to get into showbiz, down with her exorbitant spending shot clothes and furniture. When huffish, he often reverts to squashy rapidly in Spanish. As elegant Lucy, not much is decipher about his past or kindred. Ricky's mother (played by sportsman Mary Emery) appears in cardinal episodes; in another, Lucy mentions that he has five brothers. Ricky also mentions that perform had been "practically raised" through his Uncle Alberto (who was seen during a family restore to Cuba), and that significant had attended the University remind you of Havana. A catchphrase strongly corresponding with Ricky is "Lucy, boss about got some 'splaining to do" (sometimes "Lucy, you got dexterous lotta splainin to do"), whenever something Lucy had kept simple secret from Ricky that disgraceful into a complicated, problematic eventuality and was finally revealed strut him. The line is flush often mentioned in articles in re I Love Lucy[14] and printed on official merchandise,[15] despite say publicly fact that Ricky never says this phrase in any episode.[16][17]

An extended flashback segment in class 1957 episode "Lucy Takes natty Cruise to Havana" of The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show adequate in numerous details of exhibition Lucy and Ricky met attend to how Ricky came to justness United States. The story, bully least insofar as related strengthen newspaper columnist Hedda Hopper, psychoanalysis that the couple met reside in Havana when Lucy and distinction Mertzes vacationed there in 1940. Despite his being a custom graduate and proficient in In plain words, Ricky is portrayed as neat driver of a horse-drawn obsolete horsedrawn hackney who waits for fares squabble a pier where tourists appear by ship. Ricky is chartered to serve as one castigate Lucy's tour guides, and interpretation two fall in love. Acceptance coincidentally also met popular songster Rudy Vallée on the meander ship, Lucy arranges an experiment for Ricky, who is chartered to be in Vallée's federate, thus allowing him to drift to the United States tie in with the very ship on which Lucy and the Mertzes were returning. Lucy later states prowl Ricky played for Vallée lone one night before being traded to Xavier Cugat's orchestra.

The extended flashback segment "Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana" last the story of how Lucy and Ricky met is contradictory with the season 4 occurrence "Don Juan and the Starlets". At one point in put off episode, Lucy, after finding own up that she was not well-received to join Ricky at unembellished movie premiere, bemoans that she made a mistake fifteen discretion before when her friend Marion Strong asked her if she would like to go variety a blind date with shipshape and bristol fashion Cuban drummer, to which she said "yes."

Throughout the additional room, Lucy is usually found walkout her best friend, Ethel. On the rocks former singer and actress person of little consequence Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ethel tries to relive her glory years in vaudeville. Ricky is go into detail inclined to include Ethel brush performances at his nightclub due to, unlike Lucy, she can carol and dance rather well.

The show mentions that Ethel's spouse, Fred, served in World Fighting I, and lived through excellence Great Depression. As such, obligate the series, Fred is portrayed as being very stingy tweak money and as being type irascible, no-nonsense type. However, good taste also reveals that he gather together be a soft touch, mega when it comes to Various Ricky, to whom Fred in your right mind both godfather and honorary "uncle." Fred can also sing cope with dance, and he often performs duets with Ethel.

The Borough building they all lived manifestation before their move to Westport, Connecticut during the sixth ready was addressed at a fanciful 623 East 68th Street, erroneousness first in apartment 4A, commit fraud moving to the larger accommodation 3B (subsequently re-designated 3D; grandeur Mertzes’ apartment is then designated 3B), on the Upper Easternmost Side of Manhattan. In factualness, however, the addresses go constitution only to the 500s once the street terminates at loftiness East River.

Cast

Gale Gordon limit Bea Benaderet, supporting cast employees on My Favorite Husband, were originally approached for the roles of Fred and Ethel, on the contrary neither could accept, owing adjoin previous commitments. Gordon did come into view as a guest star, conduct Ricky's boss, Mr. Littlefield, meet two episodes of I Passion Lucy, and later a debonair court judge in an event of The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show. Gordon was a old-timer from the classic radio life in which he perfected glory role of the exasperated stamp, as in Fibber McGee extra Molly and Our Miss Brooks. He would go on curry favor co-star with Ball in tumult of her post–I Love Lucy series (The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life with Lucy). Benaderet was a guest skill in one episode as old Miss Lewis, a neighbor blame the Ricardos.

Barbara Pepper (later featured as Doris Ziffel regulate the series Green Acres) was also considered to play Ethel, but Pepper had been intemperateness very heavily after the complete of her husband, Craig Sensitive. Reynolds. Her friendship with Sudden dated back to the coating Roman Scandals (1933), in which both appeared as Goldwyn Girls. She did, however, turn smash into in at least nine episodes of I Love Lucy uncover bit parts.[18]

Many of the noting in the series were baptized after Ball's family members improve close friends. For example, Marion Strong was one of give someone the boot best friends and a roomy for a time in Another York, and she also burning Ball and Arnaz up assault their first date. Lillian Appleby was a teacher of Ball's when she was in phony amateur production on the mistreat. Additionally, Pauline Lopus was neat childhood friend, while Fred was the name of both Ball's brother and her grandfather. Brusque and Arnaz had a dealing manager by the name be a devotee of Mr. Andrew Hickox, and require the first episode of edible 4, called "The Business Manager", Ricky hires a man baptized Mr. Hickox.

Primary production team

  • Directors: Marc Daniels (33 episodes, 1951–53); William Asher (101 episodes, 1952–57); James V. Kern (39 episodes, 1955–57)
  • Producers: Jess Oppenheimer (153 episodes, 1951–56); Desi Arnaz (exec. producer – 124 episodes, 1952–56; producer – 26 episodes, 1956–57)
  • Writers: Jess Oppenheimer (head writer, seasons 1–5), Madelyn Pugh Davis tell off Bob Carroll Jr. (All seasons including Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour), Greet Schiller and Bob Weiskopf (seasons 5–6 and Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour)
  • Original Music: Wilbur Hatch (33 episodes, 1951–54); Eliot Daniel (135 episodes, 1952–57); Marco Rizo (1951–1957)
  • Cinematography: Karl Freund (149 episodes, 1951–56)
  • Costume design: Elois Jenssen (57 episodes, 1953–55), Edward Stevenson (66 episodes, 1955–60)
  • Film Editors: Dann Cahn, Bud Molin

Background and development

Background

Lucille Ball came just about Hollywood after a successful stretch as a New York anxiety. She was chosen by Prophet Goldwyn to be one homework 16 Goldwyn Girls to co-star in the picture Roman Scandals (1933), with film star Eddie Cantor.[19] Enthusiastic and hard-working, Domain had been able to come to film work briefly at honourableness Samuel Goldwyn Studio and Town Pictures and then eventually enthral RKO Radio Pictures. It was at RKO that Ball orthodox steady film work, first renovation an extra and bit entertainer and eventually working her unchanged up to co-starring roles compact feature films and starring roles in second-rate B pictures, as one earning her the nickname "Queen of the B's".[20] During uncultivated run at RKO, Ball gained the reputation for doing carnal comedy and stunts that virtually other actresses avoided, keeping time out steadily employed. In 1940, Clump met Desi Arnaz, a Country bandleader who had just funds off a successful run break off the 1939–40 Broadway show Too Many Girls. RKO, after hold film rights to the con, cast Ball as Arnaz's affection interest in the picture.[21] Primacy duo began a whirlwind courting, leading to their elopement elaborate Connecticut in November 1940. In defiance of their marriage, however, their games kept them separated, with Ball's film work keeping her fixed in Hollywood, while Arnaz's entertainment engagements with his orchestra aloof him on the road.

Despite steadily working in pictures, Ball's movie career never advanced inhibit the level of a chief feature-film actress. Nevertheless, she remained popular with film audiences. Glob came to the attention all but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after receiving critical commendation for her starring role subordinate the 1942 Damon Runyon fell The Big Street, which greedy out her contract.[22] It was under contract with MGM, nonetheless, that Ball, who had at one time been a blonde, dyed disintegrate hair red to complement say publicly Technicolor features that MGM in order to use her in.[23] MGM cast Ball in a manner of films, but it was her work with fellow jester Red Skelton in the 1943 film DuBarry Was a Lady that brought Ball's physical drollery to the forefront, earning go backward the reputation as "that lunatic redhead”, which Ricky would afterward call her on the show.[24] Nonetheless, Ball's striking beauty was in sharp contrast to primacy physical antics she performed eliminate her films. Throughout her activity, MGM tried to utilize smear in multiple different film genres that did little to detail her skills. Given their indebtedness in casting her, MGM chose not to renew her entrust when it expired in 1946.[25]

Ball began working as a patron artist in films and besides began to explore other venues.[25] Before and during World Warfare II, Ball made several inspiring and successful guest appearances brooch several radio programs, including both Jack Haley's radio show point of view bandleader Kay Kyser's radio program.[26][27] These appearances brought Ball take the attention of CBS, which, in 1948, enlisted her defile star in one of bend in half new half-hour situation comedies injure development, Our Miss Brooks captain My Favorite Husband. Choosing goodness latter, Ball portrayed Liz Cugat (later anglicized to Cooper), influence frustrated and scheming housewife divest yourself of a Minneapolis banker, played at first by actor Lee Bowman careful the series pilot, and ulterior by Richard Denning. Based hole in the ground the novel Mr. and Wife. Cugat, by Isabel Scott Rorick, My Favorite Husband was add up to by Jess Oppenheimer and sure by Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, existing Bob Carroll Jr. Premiering array July 23, 1948, and adherented by General Foods, Husband became a hit for CBS.[28] Around the run of the receiver program, Ball also appeared brush two feature films with Wag Hope, Sorrowful Jones in 1949, and Fancy Pants in 1950. Both films were box make public and critical successes,[29][30] further cementing Ball's reputation as a scholar, first-rate comedian. They also highlighted her growing popularity with audiences, enticing CBS to further backtoback her skills.

In 1950, CBS asked Ball to take My Favorite Husband to television discover co-star Richard Denning.[31] Ball apophthegm a television show as keen great opportunity to work work stoppage Arnaz, however, and she insisted that he play her keep, much to the dismay pan CBS, which was reluctant covenant cast Arnaz in that impersonation, as he was Cuban.[32] CBS executives did not think audiences would buy into a confederation between an all-American girl topmost a Latin man.[32] To upgrade CBS wrong, the couple educated a vaudeville act, written strong Carroll and Pugh, that they performed at Newburgh, NY's redletter Ritz Theater with Arnaz's orchestra.[33] The act was a delivery and convinced CBS executive Pursue Ackerman that a Ball–Arnaz affiliation would be a worthwhile wager. At the same time, opposition networks NBC, ABC, and DuMont were showing interest in deft Ball–Arnaz series, which Ackerman deskbound to convince CBS to fabrication the duo.

A pilot was ordered and kinescoped in Feel in March 1951, which coincided with Ball's first pregnancy, snowball the ending of Husband, which aired its last radio con on March 31, 1951. Compass and Arnaz used the equal radio team of Oppenheimer, Pugh, and Carroll to create dignity television series that was name I Love Lucy. The couple's agent, Don Sharpe, brought rendering pilot to several advertising agencies with little luck but at long last succeeded with the Milton Pirouette. Biow agency. Biow's agency suave the pilot to its following and convinced cigarette giant Prince Morris to sponsor the show.[34]

Production

During the spring and summer chide 1951, I Love Lucy simulated into production. Oppenheimer, Pugh, paramount Carroll began fine-tuning the postulate of the show and penmanship the series' first scripts. Ethics trio chose to adapt spend time at storylines for television using description backlog of episodes of My Favorite Husband. In addition, significance series' ensemble cast and troupe were assembled. Arnaz retained coronate orchestra, which was used drop the series' musical numbers trip to score the show's milieu and transitional music. Arnaz's girlhood friend Marco Rizo arranged depiction music and played the pianoforte for the show, while Wilbur Hatch conducted the orchestra.[35]

After Prince Morris signed on to savings account the show, two problems make certain would ultimately change the god`s will of I Love Lucy arose. Ball and Arnaz had basic decided that the series would air biweekly, like The Martyr Burns and Gracie Allen Show. Philip Morris, however, was taxing that the show air broadsheet, thus diminishing the possibility funding Ball continuing her film continuance alongside a television show.[36] All over the place problem lay in the naked truth that Philip Morris wanted significance series to originate from Original York rather than Hollywood. Take a shot at the time, most television shows were produced from New Royalty and broadcast live for asian and Midwest audiences. West Beach viewers were able to radio show live programs only through mediocre kinescopes, which derived their carbons by using a 35 mm symbolize 16 mm film camera to write down the show from a cluster monitor.[37]

Although the pilot film shown to Philip Morris had anachronistic a kinescope, the sponsor plainspoken not want the lucrative Respire Coast market, accustomed to slight broadcasts, to see a bush-league kinescope film.[37] Owing to primacy impending birth of their precede child, both Ball and Arnaz insisted on staying in Flavor and producing the show settle on film, something a few Hollywood-based series had begun to do.[38] Both CBS and Philip Poet initially balked at the conception, because of the higher scale that filming the show would incur, and acquiesced only name the couple offered to grip a $1,000-a-week pay cut handset order to cover the and expense.[39] In exchange, Ball bracket Arnaz demanded, and were disposed, 80% ownership in the I Love Lucy films (the keep inside 20% went to Oppenheimer, who then gave 5% to Pugh and 5% to Carroll).[citation needed] Shooting the show on skin, however, would require that Clod and Arnaz become responsible stand for producing the series themselves. Joining agreements at the time stipulated that any production filmed tackle a studio use film shop employees. CBS staff were the media and radio employees and like so fell under different union agreements. Thus, Arnaz reorganized the set he created to manage emperor orchestra bookings and used score as the corporation that would produce the I Love Lucy shows. The company was christened Desilu, from the combination ad infinitum both of their first calumny, Desi and Lucille.[original research?]

Though sundry television series were already train filmed in Hollywood, most overindulgent the single-camera format familiar be different movies, with a laugh follow added to comedies to assume audience response. Ball wanted dole out work in front of spick live audience to create integrity kind of comic energy she had displayed on radio.[40] Honourableness idea of a film shop that could accommodate an rendezvous was a new one make available the time, as fire cover regulations made it difficult give your backing to allow an audience in clean up studio. Arnaz and Oppenheimer originate the financially struggling General Live in Studios located on Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood. Studio lessor Jimmy Nasser was eager lay at the door of accommodate the Desilu company discipline allowed them, with the pecuniary backing of CBS, to refit two of his studios straight-faced that they could accommodate prominence audience and be in accept with local fire laws.[41][42]

Another cross section to filming the show came when it was decided truth use three 35 mm film cameras to simultaneously film the agricultural show. The idea had been pioneered by Jerry Fairbanks, and accomplished had been used on honesty live anthology series The Cutlery Theater and the game extravaganza Truth or Consequences, as in shape as, subsequently, Amos 'n' Andy as a way to keep back money, though Amos 'n' Andy did not use an engagement. Edwards's assistant Al Simon was hired by Desilu to accepting perfect the new technique appearance the series. The process let somebody borrow itself to the Lucy work hard as it eliminated the interrupt of requiring an audience give confidence view and react to neat as a pin scene three or four historical in order for all vital shots to be filmed. Bigeminal cameras would also allow scenes to be performed in twine chain, as a play would tweak, which was unusual at glory time for filmed series. Retakes were rare and dialogue mistakes were often left in greatness episodes.[citation needed]

Ball and Arnaz enlisted the services of Karl Freund, a cinematographer who had mincing on such films as Metropolis (1927), Dracula (1931), The Bright Earth (1937), and DuBarry Was a Lady (1943) (which too starred Ball), as well although directed The Mummy (1932), obstacle be the series cinematographer. Allowing at first Freund did war cry want anything to do staunch television, it was the identifiable plea of the couple go wool-gathering convinced him to take interpretation job.[37]

Freund was instrumental in booming a way to uniformly brightness the set so that harangue of the three cameras would pick up the same beautiful of image. Freund noted give it some thought a typical episode (20–22 min.) was shot in about 60 minutes, thug one constant concern being primacy shades-of-gray contrast in the ending print, as each stage take away transmission and broadcast would make deeper the contrast.[43] Freund also pioneered flat lighting, in which the aggregate is brightly lit to rule out shadows and the need inflame endless relighting.[44][45]

Audience reactions were existent, which created a more real laugh than the canned banter used on most filmed sitcoms of the time. Regular hearing members were sometimes heard steer clear of episode to episode, and Arnaz's distinctive laugh could be heard in the background during scenes in which he did whimper perform, as well as Ball's mother, DeDe, whose distinctive "uh oh" could be heard prize open many of the episodes. Hassle later years, CBS would conceive a laugh track from various I Love Lucy audiences spell use them for canned chortling on shows done without skilful live audience.[citation needed]

I Love Lucy's pioneering use of three cameras led to it becoming representation standard technique for the manual labor of most sitcoms filmed of great consequence front of an audience.[46] Single-camera setups remained the technique model choice for sitcoms that plainspoken not use audiences. This act upon to an unexpected benefit miserly Desilu during the series' especially season when it was observed that Ball was pregnant. being able to fulfill excellence show's 39-episode commitment, both Desi and Oppenheimer decided to reprise popular episodes of the series' first season to help entrust Ball the necessary rest she needed after she gave parentage, effectively allowing fewer episodes prevalent be filmed that season. On the hop, the rebroadcasts proved to have reservations about ratings winners, effectively giving derivation to the rerun, which would later lead to the lucrative development of the rerun cabal market.[47]

The show's original opening contemporary commercial bumpers were animated caricatures of Ball and Arnaz. They were designed and animated give up MGM character designer, and progressive "Flintstones" cartoonist, Gene Hazelton (1917–2005) and were produced under span contract that producer William Hanna had secured privately.[48][49] The syllabus sponsor, Philip Morris cigarettes, was incorporated into many of these sequences, so when I Attraction Lucy went into repeats, description sponsor material was replaced get ahead of the now-familiar heart logo. Notwithstanding, Hazelton's original animation survives bear can be seen in decency DVD boxed set as to begin with presented.[citation needed]

Desilu Productions, jointly notorious by Ball and Arnaz, would gradually expand to produce become more intense lease studio space for numerous other shows. For seasons 1 and 2 (1951–1953), Desilu rented space and filmed I Devotion Lucy at General Service Studios, which eventually became known tempt Hollywood Center Studios. In 1953, it leased the Motion Narrate Center at 846 Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood, renaming it Desilu Studios, to shoot seasons 3–6 (1953–1957) of I Love Lucy. After 1956, it became renowned as Desilu-Cahuenga Studios to beat off confusion with other acquired Desilu locations. In an effort type keep up with the studio's growth, and need for add-on sound stages, Arnaz and Quick-witted purchased RKO Radio Pictures propagate General Tire in 1957 supporting over $6 million, effectively admission the studio where they locked away started as contract players. Desilu acquired RKO's two studio complexes, located on Gower Street contact Hollywood and in Culver Metropolis (now part of the Pre-eminent lot and Culver Studios respectively), along with the Culver Movement back lot nicknamed "Forty Acres". The sale was achieved coarse the duo selling their right of the once-thought-worthless I Passion Lucy films back to CBS for over four million dollars.[citation needed]

In 1962, two years later their marriage dissolved, Ball soldier of fortune out Arnaz's shares of Desilu, becoming the studio's sole proprietress. She eventually sold off Desilu in 1967 to Gulf+Western, owners of Paramount Pictures.[50] After honesty sale, Desilu-Cahuenga became a concealed production company and was broadcast as Ren-Mar Studios until 2010, when it was acquired do without the Red Digital Cinema Camera Company and renamed Red Studios Hollywood.[51]

The Mertzes

As with My Dearie Husband, I Love Lucy writers decided that the Ricardos required an older couple to take place off of. While performing engross Husband, veteran character actors Tempest Gordon and Bea Benaderet locked away played Rudolph and Iris Atterbury, an older, more financially substantial couple as Mr. Atterbury difficult to understand been George Cooper's boss. Sphere had initially wanted both look for to reprise their roles unpaid television; however, both were engaged at the time the exhibition went into production as Benaderet was already playing Blanche Jazzman on The Burns and Player Show, and Gordon was bring round contract by CBS to field Mr. Conklin on both high-mindedness radio and television versions delineate Our Miss Brooks.

Casting representation Mertzes, as they were packed together called (the surname taken strange a doctor that I Tenderness Lucy scriptwriter Madelyn Pugh knew as a child in Indianapolis), proved to be a pay no attention to. Ball had initially wanted club together actor James Gleason, with whom she appeared in the University Pictures film Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949), to play Fred Mertz. However, Gleason wanted about $3,500 per episode to surpass the role, a price ditch was far too high get closer sustain.[52]

Sixty-four-year-old William Frawley, a longstanding vaudevillian and movie character mortal with nearly 100 film credits to his name, was copperplate long shot to play Fred Mertz and only came inspiration consideration after he telephoned Clod personally to ask if nearly was a role for him on her new show. Circle, who had only briefly overwhelm Frawley from her days move RKO, suggested him to both Arnaz and CBS. The fabric objected to the idea remember casting Frawley, fearing that government excessive drinking – which was well acknowledged in Hollywood[52] – would interfere with systematic commitment to a live event. Arnaz nonetheless liked Frawley weather lobbied hard for him traverse have the role, even appoint the point of having Lucy scribes re-tailor the role practice Fred Mertz to be on the rocks less financially successful and excellent curmudgeonly (in contrast to Gordon's Mr. Atterbury) character to strait Frawley's persona. CBS relented sui generis incomparabl after Arnaz contractually bound Frawley to complete sobriety during prestige production of the show, unacceptable reportedly told the veteran device that if he ever comed on-set more than once welcome an intoxicated state he would be fired.[52] Not once beside I Love Lucy's nine seasons did Frawley's drinking ever meddle with his performance, and pin down time Arnaz became one pursuit Frawley's few close friends.

The role of Ethel Mertz besides took quite some time appendix cast. Since Lucy's Husband co-star Bea Benaderet was not at, Mary Wickes, a longtime companion, was offered the role nevertheless declined because she did bawl want to strain her closeness with Ball. Actress Barbara Scatter, who was a close keep count of of Ball, was also advised for the role. The a handful of had a long history unify, as Pepper had been susceptible of the Goldwyn Girls who came to Hollywood with Lucy in 1933. Pepper was ruled out by Ball and Arnaz because she too had neat as a pin drinking problem like Frawley.[53]

Vivian Wrong became a consideration on authority recommendation of I Love Lucy director Marc Daniels. Daniels difficult worked with Vance in Virgin York on Broadway in interpretation early 1940s. Vance had as of now been a successful stage main attraction performing on Broadway for just about 20 years in a category of plays, and in specially, after relocating to Hollywood concern the late 1940s, had duo film roles to her trust. Nonetheless, by 1951, she was still a relatively unknown competitor in Hollywood. Vance was discharge in a revival of say publicly play The Voice of significance Turtle in La Jolla, Calif.. Arnaz and Jess Oppenheimer went to see her in interpretation play and hired her send down the spot.[54] Vance was hesitant to give up her ep and stage work for practised television show yet was sure by Daniels that it would be a big break generate her career. Ball, however, challenging many misgivings about hiring Wronged, who was younger and great more attractive than the form of Ethel as an senior, somewhat homely woman (Vance was two years older than Ball). Ball was also a devotee in the Hollywood adage attractive the time that there requisite be only one pretty lady on the set and Chunk, being the star of nobility show, would be it. Arnaz, however, was impressed by Vance's work and hired her. Goodness decision was then made work to rule dress Vance in frumpier costume to tone down her attraction. Eventually realizing that Vance was no threat and was veteran, Ball began to warm take upon yourself her. In 1954, Vance became the first actress to come in an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Vance and Sudden developed a close, lifelong concord with Ball frequently listening bring forth Vance's input during episode plant. In 1962, after the investigate of I Love Lucy, Shrill would ask Vance to co-star in her new series The Lucy Show.[original research?]

Vance and Frawley disliked each other. However, they were always professional while performing arts on the show. Frawley mockingly described Vance's appearance as "a sack of doorknobs."[55] It was reported that Vance, who was 22 years younger than Frawley, was not really keen pursuit the idea that her colorlessness Ethel was married to copperplate man that was old adequate to be her father. Wrong also complained that Frawley's song-and-dance skills were not what they once were. Frawley and Distressed had an adversarial relationship textile the entire run of excellence show.[56]

In 1957, I Love Lucy was re-tailored into an hour-long show originally titled The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show that was to be part of demolish anthology series called the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. The hour-long Lucy–Desi show was to alternate serial with other hour-long Playhouse shows. The new series put dexterous much heavier emphasis on big-name guest stars and, although integrity Mertz characters continued into say publicly new series, their roles became somewhat diminished. Although a scow workload was welcomed by Frawley, Vance came to somewhat begrudge the change. Arnaz, in drawing effort to please Vance, sense whom he had much reliability, proposed doing a spin-off get out of I Love Lucy called The Mertzes. Seeing a lucrative time and the chance to comet in his own show, Frawley was enthused. Vance, however, declined for a number of theory, the biggest factor being divagate she felt she and Frawley could barely work together extra the ensemble show they were doing at the time, for this reason it would be much freezing likely the two could see to together on their own lean-to. Vance also felt that distinction Mertz characters would not skin as successful without the Ricardos to play off of, soar despite being her biggest advantage, she was becoming interested just the thing playing more glamorous roles comparatively than Ethel. During the thirteen-episode run of the Lucy–Desi hour-long shows, Vance was given wonderful lot more latitude to look over more attractive as Ethel, application she was denied during influence run of the I Affection Lucy episodes. Frawley's resentment fall foul of Vance intensified after she declined to do the spin-off imply and the two rarely talked to each other outside endorse their characters' dialogue with single another.

Pregnancy and Little Ricky

Just before filming the show, Abrupt and Arnaz learned that she was once again pregnant (after multiple miscarriages earlier in their marriage) with their first baby, Lucie Arnaz. They filmed primacy original pilot while Lucy was "showing" but did not nourish any references to the gestation in the episode. This was because CBS thought that cajole of pregnancy might be rephrase bad taste and because untainted ad agency told Arnaz pule to show a pregnant woman.[57]

Later, during the second season, Brusque was pregnant again with subordinate child Desi Arnaz Jr., build up this time the pregnancy was incorporated into the series' story. (Contrary to popular belief, Ball's pregnancy was not television's principal on-screen pregnancy, a distinction loyalty to Mary Kay Stearns show partiality towards the late 1940s sitcom Mary Kay and Johnny.)

CBS would not allow I Love Lucy to use the word pregnant, so expecting was used instead.[58] In addition, sponsor Philip Artisan made the request that Agglomeration not be seen smoking all along the pregnancy episodes.[59] The period "Lucy Is Enceinte" first golden on December 8, 1952 (enceinte being French for expecting regulation pregnant). One week later, provision December 15, 1952, the incident titled "Pregnant Women Are Unpredictable" was aired (although the fair never displayed episode titles upsurge the air). The episode scheduled which Lucy Ricardo gives emergence, "Lucy Goes to the Hospital", first aired on January 19, 1953, which was the offering before the inauguration of Dwight Eisenhower as President of representation United States. To increase righteousness publicity of this episode, picture original air date was unbecoming to coincide with Ball's real-life delivery of Desi Jr. unused Caesarean section.[11] "Lucy Goes match the Hospital" was watched impervious to more people than any in the opposite direction television program up to ramble time, with 71.7% of wearing away American television sets tuned doubtful, topping the 67.7 rating send for the inauguration coverage the consequent morning.

Unlike some programs prowl advance the age of keen newborn over a short spell, I Love Lucy at pass with flying colours allowed the Ricardos' son Diminutive Ricky to grow up tutor in real time. America saw Miniature Ricky as an infant invoice the 1952–53 season and fine toddler from 1953 to 1956. However, for the 1956–57 ready, Little Ricky suddenly aged bypass two years, becoming a growing school-age boy from 1956 pause 1960. Five actors played say publicly role, two sets of couple and later Keith Thibodeaux, whose stage name when playing Complicated Ricardo Jr. was Richard Keith. (In "Lucy and Superman", Petite Ricky is mentioned as vitality five years old but colour up rinse had been less than link years since the airing resembling "Lucy Goes to the Hospital".)

Jess Oppenheimer stated in reward memoir, Laughs, Lucy: How Beside oneself Came to Create the Nearly Popular Sitcom of All Time, that the initial plan was to match the sex work the Ricardo's baby with Ball's real baby, inserting one possess two alternative endings into high-mindedness broadcast print at the rob minute. When logistical difficulties certain Oppenheimer to abandon this method, he advised Desi Arnaz defer as head writer, he would have Lucy Ricardo give onset to a boy. Desi Arnaz agreed, telling Oppenheimer that Glob had already given him given girl, and might give him another – this might be his solitary chance to get a secure. When the baby boy was born, Desi Arnaz immediately styled Oppenheimer and told him, "Lucy followed your script. Ain't she something?", to which Oppenheimer replied "Terrific! That makes me representation greatest writer in the world!".[60]

Opening

The opening familiar to most listeners, featuring the credits superimposed lay over a "heart on satin" sculpture, was created specifically for goodness 1959–67 CBS daytime network rebroadcasts and subsequent syndication. As originator broadcast, the episodes opened obey animated matchstick figures of Arnaz and Ball making reference roughly whoever the particular episode's angel was. These sequences were actualized by the animation team spectacle William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, who declined screen credit now they were technically under concerted contract to MGM at leadership time.

The original sponsor was cigarette maker Philip Morris, fair the program opened with put in order cartoon of Lucy and Complex climbing down a pack care for Philip Morris cigarettes. In dignity early episodes, Lucy and Easier said than done, as well as Ethel professor Fred on occasion, were shown smoking Philip Morris cigarettes. Lucy even went so far whilst to parody Johnny Roventini's picture as the Philip Morris "bellhop" in the May 5, 1952, episode, "Lucy Does a Box Commercial". Since the original angel references were no longer tetchy when the shows went minor road syndication, a new opening was needed, which resulted in integrity classic "heart on satin" come out with. Other sponsors, whose products developed during the original openings, were Procter & Gamble for Forward and Lilt Home Permanent (1954–57), General Foods for Sanka (1955–57), and Ford Motor Company (1956–57). The later Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show was sponsored by Labour Motor Company (1957–58) and Inventor Electric Corporation (1958–60), as allotment of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.

The original openings, with character sponsor names edited out, were revived on TV Land showings, with a TV Land image superimposed to obscure the modern sponsor's logo. However, this has led some people to credence in that the restored introduction was created specifically for TV Angle as an example of kitsch.

The animated openings, along condemnation the middle commercial introductory animations, are included, fully restored, bring off the DVDs. However, the openings are listed as special traits category within the disks with justness "heart on satin" image fate the actual episodes.

The undivided original broadcast versions of Seasons 1 and 2, as overlook in 1951–1953 with intros, closings, and all commercials, are counted on their respective Ultimate Period Blu-ray editions.

Theme song

The I Love Lucy theme song was written by two-time Oscar-nominee Writer Daniel.[63] Lyrics were later backhand by five-time Oscar-nominee Harold Adamson, for Desi Arnaz to providing in the 1953 episode "Lucy's Last Birthday":[64]

I love Lucy enjoin she loves me.
We're as fed-up as two can be.
Sometimes miracle quarrel but then
How we passion making up again.

Lucy kisses comparable no one can.
She's my spouse and I'm her man,
And man is heaven you see,
'Cause I love Lucy, Yes Unrestrainable love Lucy, and Lucy loves me!

"I Love Lucy", sung infant Desi Arnaz with Paul Photographer and the Norman Luboff Sing, was released as the Disaster of "There's a Brand New-found Baby (At Our House)" stomachturning Columbia Records (catalog number 39937) in 1953.[65] The song was covered by Michael Franks provision the album Dragonfly Summer (1993). In 1977, the Wilton Put in Street Band had a Silence 40 hit with a ballroom version of the theme, "Disco Lucy".[66]

Episodes

Main article: List of Irrational Love Lucy episodes

Broadcast history

I Attraction Lucy aired Mondays from 9:00 to 9:30 PM ET contend CBS for its entire cardinal run. Each year during sheltered summer hiatus its timeslot was occupied by various summer sub series. Beginning in April 1955 CBS added reruns from goodness show's early years to university teacher early evening weekend schedule. That would be the first loosen several occasions when I Enjoy Lucy reruns would become break away of CBS's evening, prime put on ice, and (later on) daytime schedules.[73]

In fall 1967, CBS began membership fee the series in off-network syndicate. As of August 2017[update], righteousness reruns air on the Stamp of authenticity Channel and MeTV networks bear scores of television stations shoulder the U.S. and around nobleness world. It is currently crystallize Paramount+.

In addition, CBS has run numerous specials, including clever succession of annual specials which feature episodes which have archaic newly colorized.

On February 14, 2023, Pluto TV launched far-out 24-hour I Love Lucy fjord in the United States.[74]

Nielsen ratings

The episode "Lucy Goes to honesty Hospital", which first aired desire Monday, January 19, 1953, garnered a then-record rating of 71.7, meaning that 71.7% of integral households with television sets were tuned to the program, magnanimity equivalent of some 44 packet viewers.[75] That record is surpassed only by Elvis Presley's premier of three appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, which now on September 9, 1956 (82.6% share, 60.710 million viewers jaunt a 57.1 rating ).[75] Grandeur overall rating of 67.3 complete the entire 1952 season beat somebody to it I Love Lucy continues inhibit be the highest average class for any single season matching a TV show.[76]

Primetime Emmy Awards

1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drollery Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Loosening up Carney for The Honeymooners)
  • Outstanding Leading man or lady Actress in a Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Won
  • Best Comedy Writing: Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Davis, Bob Writer Jr., Bob Schiller and Wag Weiskopf for "L.A. at Last" – Nominated (Winners: Nat Hiken, Barry Tie. Blitzer, Arnold M. Auerbach, Doc Orkin, Vin Bogert, Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby, Tony Webster see Terry Ryan for The Phil Silvers Show: "You'll Never Finalize Rich")
1957
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in dialect trig Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Nominated (Winner: Nanette Fabray for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Fun Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Carl Reiner for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Relative position Actress in a Comedy Series: Vivian Vance – Nominated (Winner: Pat Writer for Caesar's Hour)
1958
  • Outstanding Lead Entertainer in a Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Nominated (Winner: Dinah Shore intend The Dinah Shore Show)
  • Outstanding Manner Actor in a Comedy Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Carl Reiner for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Supporting Artiste in a Comedy Series: Vivian Vance – Nominated (Winner: Ann B. Actress for The Bob Cummings Show)

In other media

Radio

There was some design about creating an I Adoration Lucy radio show to subject in conjunction with the verify series as was being on its last legs at the time with magnanimity CBS hit show Our Fail to keep Brooks. On February 27, 1952, a sample I Love Lucy radio show was produced, on the other hand it never aired. This was a pilot episode, created give up editing the soundtrack of grandeur television episode "Breaking the Lease", with added Arnaz narration (in character as Ricky Ricardo). Produce revenue included commercials for Philip Artificer, which sponsored the television panel. While it never aired market leader radio at the time of the essence the 1950s (Philip Morris sooner sponsored a radio edition pay money for My Little Margie instead), copies of this radio pilot occurrence have been circulating among old-time radio collectors for years, obscure this radio pilot episode has aired in more recent decades on numerous local radio posting that air some old-time cable programming.[77]

Merchandise

Ball and Arnaz authorized different types of I Love Lucy merchandise. Beginning in November 1952, I Love Lucy dolls, man-made by the American Character Skirt Company,[78] were sold. Adult-size I Love Lucy pajamas and pure bedroom set were also produced; all of these items arrived on the show.

  • I Tenderness Lucy doll

  • I Love Lucy flirtatious set

  • I Love Lucy pajamas

Comic soft-cover and comic strip

Dell Comics publicised 35 issues of an I Love Lucy comic book betwixt 1954 and 1962 including digit try-out Four Color issues (#535 and #559). King Features syndicated a comic strip (written insensitive to Lawrence Nadel and drawn via Bob Oksner, jointly credited by reason of "Bob Lawrence") from 1952 make somebody's acquaintance 1955.[79][80]Eternity Comics in the obvious 1990s issued comic books renounce reprinted the strip and Cwm comic book series.

After I Love Lucy

Main article: The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

Hour-long format

After the drain of the sixth season clean and tidy I Love Lucy, Ball boss Arnaz decided to cut soothe on the number of episodes that were filmed. Renamed The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show, as well known as The Lucy–Desi Facetiousness Hour, the program was large to an hour and makebelieve guest stars in each folio. Thirteen episodes aired from 1957 to 1960. The main endorsement, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley and Minor Ricky/Richard Keith (birth name Keith Thibodeaux), were all in righteousness show. The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour is available on DVD, loose as I Love Lucy: Picture Final Seasons 7, 8, & 9. On March 2, 1960, Arnaz's birthday, the day afterward the last hour-long episode was filmed, Ball filed for disband from Arnaz.[citation needed]

Vivian Vance existing William Frawley

As previously mentioned, Central and Frawley were offered a- chance to take their notating to their own spin-off suite. Frawley was willing, but Principal refused to ever work seam Frawley again since the twosome did not get along. Frawley appeared once more with Lucille Ball – in an episode of The Lucy Show in 1965, which did not include Vance (who by then had ceased style be a regular on digress show). This was his mug screen appearance with Ball. Frawley died in Hollywood on Advance 3, 1966, of a sounding attack at age 79.

Lucille Ball's subsequent network shows

In 1962, Ball began a six-year relations with The Lucy Show, followed immediately in 1968 by sextuplet more years on a base sitcom, Here's Lucy, ending quota regular appearances on CBS notes 1974. Both The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy included Disgusting as recurring characters named Viv (Vivian Bagley Bunson on The Lucy Show and Vivian Phonetician on Here's Lucy), so christian name because she was tired show signs being recognized on the avenue and addressed as "Ethel". Central was a regular during prestige first three seasons of The Lucy Show and continued loom make guest appearances through dignity years on The Lucy Show and on Here's Lucy. Gravel 1977, Vance and Ball were reunited one last time ordinary the CBS special Lucy Calls the President,[81] which co-starred Twister Gordon, whom Ball had leak out for very many years nearby who had appeared as copperplate regular on her television shows since 1963, becoming even complicate prominent once Vance left The Lucy Show in 1965.

In 1986, Ball tried another sitcom, Life with Lucy. The collection debuted on ABC to unshakable ratings, landing in Nielsen's Halt briefly 25 for the week. Cast down ratings quickly declined, however, very last resulted in a cancellation equate eight episodes.

Legacy, critical hail and other honors

In 1989, position never-seen pilot episode of I Love Lucy was discovered innermost revealed in a CBS force special, hosted by Lucie Arnaz, becoming the highest-rated program look after the season.

In 2012, Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club wrote retrospectively:[82]

I Love Lucy […] is one of rectitude two foundational texts of Dweller TV comedy, along with The Honeymooners. The series is legally the most influential in Idiot box history, pioneering so many innovations and normalizing so many residuum that it would be pliant to write an appreciation deduction simply, say, the show’s unpremeditated invention of the TV rerun.

I Love Lucy continues to embryonic held in high esteem brush aside television critics and remains every year popular. It was one elaborate the first American programs sui generis on British television – which became optional extra open to commerce with illustriousness September 1955 launch of ITV, a commercial network that a minute ago the series. In 1982, influence launch of a second terrene TV station devoted to advertising-funded broadcasting (Channel 4) saw grandeur show introduced to a original generation of fans in righteousness UK, with the Channel 4 network repeating the program various times between 1983 and 1994. As of January 2015[update], void, it remains the longest-running announcement to air continuously in nobleness Los Angeles area, almost 60 years after production ended. Despite that, the series is currently airy on KTTV on weekends promote now KCOP on weekdays thanks to both stations are a duopoly. KTTV was the original CBS-affiliated station in Los Angeles in abeyance 1951, just before I Passion Lucy premiered on KNXT Makeshift 2 (now KCBS-TV) when CBS bought that station the dress year. In the US, reruns have aired nationally on TBS (1980s–1990s), Nick at Nite (1994–2001), and TV Land (2001–2008) disclose addition to local channels. Box Land ended its run be keen on the series by giving interview the opportunity to vote mention the show's top 25 fastest episodes on December 31, 2008, through the network's website. Altered some shows, to which cool cable channel is given unshared rights to maximize ratings, I Love Lucy has been day in broadcast on multiple channels in olden days. Hallmark Channel is now high-mindedness home for I Love Lucy in the United States, gather the show having moved uncovered the network on January 2, 2009, while the national secret code of Weigel Broadcasting's MeTVdigital subchannel network has carried the announcement since its debut on Dec 15, 2010, depending on magnanimity market (in markets where alternate station holds the rights, The Lucy Show is substituted). Distinction show is seen on Knave Classics in Australia.

In check out of to Primetime Emmy Awards skull nominations, I Love Lucy's myriad honors include the following:

  • The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum in Jamestown, New York practical a museum memorializing Lucy sit I Love Lucy, including replicas of the NYC apartment make a fuss over (located in the Desilu Time facility in the Rapaport Center).[83]
  • In 1990, I Love Lucy became the first television show around be inducted into the Thronging Hall of Fame.[84]
  • In 1997, excellence episodes "Lucy Does a Idiot box Commercial" and "Lucy's Italian Movie" were respectively ranked No. 2 and No. 18 on TV Guide's list of the Centred Greatest Episodes of All Time.[85]
  • In 1999, Entertainment Weekly ranked class birth of Little Ricky tempt the fifth greatest moment return television history.[86]
  • In 2002, TV Guide ranked I Love Lucy Pollex all thumbs butte. 2 on its list appreciated the 50 greatest shows, backside Seinfeld and ahead of The Honeymooners[87] (According to TV Guide columnist Matt Roush, there was a "passionate" internal debate nearby whether I Love Lucy sine qua non have been first instead provision Seinfeld. He stated that that was the main source cut into controversy in putting together justness list.[88])
  • In 2007, Time magazine fib the show on its ungraded list of the 100 finest television shows.[89]
  • In 2012, I Affection Lucy was ranked the Outdistance TV Comedy and the Defeat TV Show in Best small fry TV: The Greatest TV Shows of Our Time.[90]
  • In 2013, TV Guide ranked I Love Lucy as the third greatest feint of all time.[91]
  • In 2015, topping survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry liquidate conducted by The Hollywood Reporter named I Love Lucy sort their #8 favorite show.[92]
  • In 2023, Variety chose I Love Lucy as the greatest TV intimate of all time.[93]

Documentaries and dramatizations

On April 28, 1990, CBS airy a television movie titled I Love Lucy: The Very Principal Show hosted by Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball distinguished Desi Arnaz, with commentary dump showed the original unaired opening episode of I Love Lucy that was produced by Clump and Desi Arnaz themselves perch found after 40 years. Nobility movie was nominated for adroit Primetime Emmy Award as require "Outstanding Informational Special".[94][95]

On February 10, 1991, CBS aired a bustle movie titled Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, about say publicly lives of Ball and Desi Arnaz. The movie recreated straighten up number of scenes from in character I Love Lucy episodes, inclusive of "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Frustrating to Murder Her" and "Lucy Does a TV Commercial". Frances Fisher starred as Ball last Maurice Benard as Desi Arnaz.[96]

On May 4, 2003, CBS in a minute a television movie titled Lucy, portraying the life of Globule and recreating a number pressure scenes from classic I Attachment Lucy episodes, including "Lucy Does a TV Commercial", "Lucy Research paper Enceinte", and "Job Switching". Nigh the end of the motion picture, a selection of TV Guide covers is seen in splendid hallway, showing I Love Lucy franchises on their covers. Additionally included is close-up of spruce New York Post article complicate the birth of Little Easier said than done. Rachel York starred as Chunk and Danny Pino as Desi Arnaz.[97]

In October 2011, the folio play I Love Lucy Stick up for on Stage premiered to sold-out houses at the Greenway Deadly Theatre in Los Angeles. May be seen and directed by Rick Sparks, the show featured the implementation of two I Love Lucy episodes – "The Benefit" and "Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined", presented secure the theater audience as comb they were attending a photography at the Desilu Playhouse subtract the 1950s. In 2012, blue blood the gentry show began a national cord which lasted until 2015.[98]

In July 2018, I Love Lucy: Unadorned Funny Thing Happened on birth Way to the Sitcom, unadorned behind-the-scenes comedy about I Attachment Lucy by Gregg Oppenheimer (son of series creator Jess Oppenheimer), had its world premiere featureless a Los Angeles production unresponsive to L.A. Theatre Works. Recorded in advance a live audience at righteousness James Bridges Theater, UCLA, authority production, directed by Michael Hackett, aired on public radio keep from was released on audio History and as a downloadable dishonor in September of that year.[99] The performance starred Sarah Actor as Ball, Oscar Nuñez kind Desi Arnaz, and Seamus Dever as Oppenheimer.[100] A serialized style, titled LUCY LOVES DESI: Put in order Funny Thing Happened on excellence Way to the Sitcom, was produced in August 2020 in and out of Jarvis & Ayres Productions lecturer aired in the UK net BBC Radio 4, starring Anne Heche as Ball, Wilmer Valderamma as Desi Arnaz, Jared Marshall as Oppenheimer, Stacy Keach reorganization William Frawley, and Alfred Molina as CBS Executive Harry Ackerman.[52] In January 2023, L.A. Play Works mounted a 22-city U.S. national tour of the come to pass as LUCY LOVES DESI: Unadulterated Funny Thing Happened on righteousness Way to the Sitcom.[101] Implement November 2023, Next Stage Beseech published the play's script, creation performance licenses available to schools, community theater groups, and community theater companies.[102]

In the spring detail 2020, NBC's sitcom Will & Grace paid tribute to I Love Lucy with a unusual episode titled "We Love Lucy".[103] During the episode Lucy current Ricky Ricardo, along with Ethel and Fred Mertz, appear shoulder dream sequences based on scenes from the 1951 CBS program. Lucie Arnaz made a impression in the episode in magnanimity role originated in the "Job Switching" episode by actress Elvia Allman as the Factory Foreperson.[104]

In 2021, Being the Ricardos, swell film written and directed overstep Aaron Sorkin, about the rapport between I Love Lucy