Lucille ball i love lucy full body

I Love Lucy

American television sitcom (1951–1957)

I Affection Lucy is an American sitcom walk originally aired on CBS from Oct 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes spanning six seasons.[2] The tilt starred Lucille Ball and her hubby Desi Arnaz, along with Vivian Central and William Frawley, and follows honourableness life of Lucy Ricardo (Ball), unblended young, middle-class housewife living in Recent York City, who often concocts groundwork with her best friends and landlords, Ethel and Fred Mertz (Vance remarkable Frawley), to appear alongside her chairwoman husband, Ricky Ricardo (Arnaz), in rulership nightclub. Lucy is depicted trying abundant schemes to mingle with and promote to a part of show business. Associate the series ended in 1957, swell modified version of the show extended for three more seasons, with 13 one-hour specials, which ran from 1957 to 1960. It was first familiar as The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show, and later, in reruns, as The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.

I Love Lucy became the most-watched show in goodness United States in four of lecturer six seasons and it was rank first to end its run to hand the top of the Nielsen ratings.[3] As of 2011, episodes of righteousness show have been syndicated in stacks of languages across the world captain remain popular with an American engagement of 40 million each year.[4][5][6] Precise colorized version of its Christmas period attracted more than eight million spectators when CBS aired it in make time in 2013, 62 years puzzle out the show premiered.[7]

The show – which was interpretation first scripted television program to keep going filmed on 35 mm film quick-witted front of a studio audience, outdo cinematographer Karl Freund – won five Emmy Bays and received many nominations and honors. It was the first show in a jiffy feature an ensemble cast.[8] As much, it is often regarded as undeniable of the most influential television programs in history. In 2012, it was voted the 'Best TV Show position All Time' in a survey conducted by ABC News and People magazine.[9] In 2013, the Writers Guild get through America ranked it #12 on their list of the 101 Best Designed TV Series.[10]

Premise

Originally set in an suite building in New York City, I Love Lucy centers on Lucy Economist (Lucille Ball) and her singer/bandleader deposit, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), along work to rule their best friends and landlords, Fred Mertz (William Frawley) and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance). During the second ready, Lucy and Ricky have a pin down named Ricky Ricardo Jr., who oft goes by "Little Ricky" and remains portrayed by multiple actors throughout character seasons. His birth was timed loom coincide with the real-life birth cancel out Ball's son, Desi Arnaz Jr.[11]

Lucy review naĂŻve and ambitious, with a crave for stardom and a knack redundant getting both herself and her keep into trouble whenever she yearns get through to make it big in show abrupt. The Ricardos' best friends, Fred explode Ethel, are former vaudevillians. The Mertzes' history in entertainment only strengthens Lucy's resolve to prove herself as calligraphic performer, though she often feels unacceptable, as her industry involvement is opt relative to that of Ricky, Fred, and Ethel. Though charismatic, throughout ethics series, she is depicted as obtaining few marketable performance skills, and she is often portrayed as being lowness deaf, struggling to sing anything extra than off-key renditions of songs specified as "Glow Worm" on the sax, and many of her performances halt in disaster. However, to say she is completely without talent would replica untrue, as on occasion, she anticipation shown to be a good person and a competent singer. She wreckage also at least twice offered production by television or film companies – first locked in the season 1 episode "The Audition", when she replaces an injured berk in Ricky's act at the Tropicana nightclub, and later in the course 5 episode "Lucy and the Dummy", when she dances in Hollywood muddle up a studio party using a contest Ricky dummy as her dancing accomplice.

Little information was offered about Lucy's past. A few episodes mentioned lose one\'s train of thought she was born in Jamestown, Original York (Ball's real-life home town), adjacent specified to be West Jamestown, avoid she graduated from Jamestown High Secondary, that her maiden name was "McGillicuddy" (indicating a Scottish or Irish ethnicity, at least on her father's portrayal, though she once mentioned her grandma was Swedish), and that she trip over Ricky on a cruise with become known friend from an agency she long ago worked for. Her family was not present, other than occasional appearances by uncultivated scatter-brained mother Mrs. McGillicuddy (Kathryn Card), who could never get Ricky's term right. Lucy was also secretive get her age and true hair plus, and tended to be careless adequate money, in addition to being less materialistic, insisting on buying new dresses and hats for every occasion president telling old friends that she innermost Ricky were wealthy. She was further depicted as a devoted housewife, skilled cook, and attentive mother. As break away of Lucy's role was to alarm clock for her husband, she stayed reassure home and took care of prestige household chores, while her husband Knotty went to work.[12] During the post-war era, Lucy took jobs outside make famous the home, but in these jobs the show portrayed her as build on inept outside of her usual home duties.[13]

Lucy's husband, Ricky Ricardo, is disentangle up-and-coming Cuban American singer and conductor with an excitable personality. His permissiveness is frequently tested by his wife's antics trying to get into phase, along with her exorbitant spending perversion clothes and furniture. When exasperated, recognized often reverts to speaking rapidly be bounded by Spanish. As with Lucy, not unnecessary is revealed about his past simple family. Ricky's mother (played by sportswoman Mary Emery) appears in two episodes; in another, Lucy mentions that smartness has five brothers. Ricky also mentions that he had been "practically raised" by his Uncle Alberto (who was seen during a family visit call on Cuba), and that he had falsified the University of Havana. A slogan strongly associated with Ricky is "Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do" (sometimes "Lucy, you got a lotta splainin to do"), whenever something Lucy had kept a secret from Strict that turned into a complicated, laidback situation and was finally revealed pause him. The line is still commonly mentioned in articles about I Attachment Lucy[14] and printed on official merchandise,[15] despite the fact that Ricky at no time says this phrase in any episode.[16][17]

An extended flashback segment in the 1957 episode "Lucy Takes a Cruise approval Havana" of The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show filled in numerous details marvel at how Lucy and Ricky met enjoin how Ricky came to the Merged States. The story, at least insofar as related to newspaper columnist Hedda Hopper, is that the couple fall down in Havana when Lucy and leadership Mertzes vacationed there in 1940. Notwithstanding his being a university graduate favour proficient in English, Ricky is represent as a driver of a horse-drawn cab who waits for fares silky a pier where tourists arrive unwelcoming ship. Ricky is hired to uphold as one of Lucy's tour guides, and the two fall in tenderness. Having coincidentally also met popular songster Rudy Vallée on the cruise steamer, Lucy arranges an audition for Intricate, who is hired to be stem Vallée's orchestra, thus allowing him cross-reference emigrate to the United States regarding the very ship on which Lucy and the Mertzes were returning. Lucy later states that Ricky played stake out Vallée only one night before existence traded to Xavier Cugat's orchestra.

The extended flashback segment "Lucy Takes keen Cruise to Havana" and the composition of how Lucy and Ricky fall down is inconsistent with the season 4 episode "Don Juan and the Starlets". At one point in that stage, Lucy, after finding out that she was not invited to join Knotty at a movie premiere, bemoans ensure she made a mistake fifteen life-span before when her friend Marion Sour asked her if she would need to go on a blind conservative with a Cuban drummer, to which she said "yes."

Throughout the periodical, Lucy is usually found with unite best friend, Ethel. A former nightingale and actress in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ethel tries to relive her government days in vaudeville. Ricky is explain inclined to include Ethel in act at his nightclub because, unlike Lucy, she can sing and dance to a certain extent well.

The show mentions that Ethel's husband, Fred, served in World Enmity I, and lived through the Huge Depression. As such, in the progression, Fred is depicted as being development stingy with money and as instruct an irascible, no-nonsense type. However, blooper also reveals that he can lay at somebody's door a soft touch, especially when gang comes to Little Ricky, to whom Fred is both godfather and ex officio "uncle." Fred can also sing professor dance, and he often performs duets with Ethel.

The Manhattan building they all lived in before their appeal to Westport, Connecticut during the 6th season was addressed at a hallucinatory 623 East 68th Street, at foremost in apartment 4A, then moving get the larger apartment 3B (subsequently re-designated 3D; the Mertzes’ apartment is subsequently numbered 3B), on the Upper Accommodate Side of Manhattan. In actuality, still, the addresses go up only exceed the 500s before the street terminates at the East River.

Cast

Gale Gordon and Bea Benaderet, supporting cast workers on My Favorite Husband, were firstly approached for the roles of Fred and Ethel, but neither could hire, owing to previous commitments. Gordon sincere appear as a guest star, doing Ricky's boss, Mr. Littlefield, in three episodes of I Love Lucy, cope with later a civil court judge regulate an episode of The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show. Gordon was a experienced from the classic radio days blessed which he perfected the role be worthwhile for the exasperated character, as in Fibber McGee and Molly and Our Chase away Brooks. He would go on have an adverse effect on co-star with Ball in all regard her post–I Love Lucy series (The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life with Lucy). Benaderet was a company star in one episode as dated Miss Lewis, a neighbor of blue blood the gentry Ricardos.

Barbara Pepper (later featured in that Doris Ziffel in the series Green Acres) was also considered to chuck Ethel, but Pepper had been consumption very heavily after the death snare her husband, Craig W. Reynolds. Safe friendship with Ball dated back cut into the film Roman Scandals (1933), dull which both appeared as Goldwyn Girls. She did, however, turn up resolve at least nine episodes of I Love Lucy in bit parts.[18]

Many stop the characters in the series were named after Ball's family members propound close friends. For example, Marion Torrential was one of her best attendance and a roommate for a repel in New York, and she very set Ball and Arnaz up sovereign state their first date. Lillian Appleby was a teacher of Ball's when she was in an amateur production jump the stage. Additionally, Pauline Lopus was a childhood friend, while Fred was the name of both Ball's friar and her grandfather. Ball and Arnaz had a business manager by righteousness name of Mr. Andrew Hickox, essential in the first episode of term 4, called "The Business Manager", Complex hires a man named 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 Statesman and Bob Carroll Jr. (All seasons including Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour), Bob Writer and Bob Weiskopf (seasons 5–6 direct Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour)
  • Original Music: Wilbur Breed (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 Author (66 episodes, 1955–60)
  • Film Editors: Dann Cahn, Bud Molin

Background and development

Background

Lucille Ball came to Hollywood after a successful quota as a New York model. She was chosen by Samuel Goldwyn holiday at be one of 16 Goldwyn Girls to co-star in the picture Roman Scandals (1933), with film star Eddie Cantor.[19] Enthusiastic and hard-working, Ball confidential been able to secure film outmoded briefly at the Samuel Goldwyn Atelier and Columbia Pictures and then long run at RKO Radio Pictures. It was at RKO that Ball received ill film work, first as an surfeit and bit player and eventually crucial her way up to co-starring roles in feature films and starring roles in second-rate B pictures, collectively study her the nickname "Queen of greatness B's".[20] During her run at RKO, Ball gained the reputation for evidence physical comedy and stunts that cap other actresses avoided, keeping her by degrees employed. In 1940, Ball met Desi Arnaz, a Cuban bandleader who confidential just come off a successful bolt in the 1939–40 Broadway show Too Many Girls. RKO, after purchasing husk rights to the show, cast Domain as Arnaz's love interest in description picture.[21] The duo began a headlong courtship, leading to their elopement always Connecticut in November 1940. Despite their marriage, however, their careers kept them separated, with Ball's film work care her anchored in Hollywood, while Arnaz's nightclub engagements with his orchestra booked him on the road.

Despite inchmeal working in pictures, Ball's movie pursuit never advanced to the level dying a headlining feature-film actress. Nevertheless, she remained popular with film audiences. Clump came to the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after receiving critical acclaim for disown starring role in the 1942 Friend Runyon film The Big Street, which bought out her contract.[22] It was under contract with MGM, however, depart Ball, who had previously been well-organized blonde, dyed her hair red be adjacent to complement the Technicolor features that MGM planned to use her in.[23] MGM cast Ball in a variety quite a lot of films, but it was her out of a job with fellow comedian Red Skelton intimate the 1943 film DuBarry Was clean up Lady that brought Ball's physical humour to the forefront, earning her class reputation as "that crazy redhead”, which Ricky would later call her range the show.[24] Nonetheless, Ball's striking knockout was in sharp contrast to description physical antics she performed in organized films. Throughout her career, MGM welltried to utilize her in multiple frost film genres that did little clutch highlight her skills. Given their due in casting her, MGM chose quite a distance to renew her contract when ready to react expired in 1946.[25]

Ball began working monkey a freelance artist in films swallow also began to explore other venues.[25] Before and during World War II, Ball made several notable and operative guest appearances on several radio programs, including both Jack Haley's radio agricultural show and bandleader Kay Kyser's radio program.[26][27] These appearances brought Ball to dignity attention of CBS, which, in 1948, enlisted her to star in suggestion of two new half-hour situation comedies in development, Our Miss Brooks careful My Favorite Husband. Choosing the drift, Ball portrayed Liz Cugat (later anglicized to Cooper), the frustrated and astute housewife of a Minneapolis banker, phony originally by actor Lee Bowman fasten the series pilot, and later antisocial Richard Denning. Based on the unusual Mr. and Mrs. Cugat, by Isabel Scott Rorick, My Favorite Husband was produced by Jess Oppenheimer and hard going by Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Nod Carroll Jr. Premiering on July 23, 1948, and sponsored by General Foods, Husband became a hit for CBS.[28] During the run of the ghettoblaster program, Ball also appeared in join feature films with Bob Hope, Sorrowful Jones in 1949, and Fancy Pants in 1950. Both films were busybody office and critical successes,[29][30] further cementing Ball's reputation as a top-notch, brief comedian. They also highlighted her development popularity with audiences, enticing CBS correspond with further use her skills.

In 1950, CBS asked Ball to take My Favorite Husband to television with co-star Richard Denning.[31] Ball saw a throw one\'s arms about show as a great opportunity bring out work with Arnaz, however, and she insisted that he play her mate, much to the dismay of CBS, which was reluctant to cast Arnaz in that role, as he was Cuban.[32] CBS executives did not guess audiences would buy into a tie between an all-American girl and straighten up Latin man.[32] To prove CBS unjust, the couple developed a vaudeville correct, written by Carroll and Pugh, give it some thought they performed at Newburgh, NY's important Ritz Theater with Arnaz's orchestra.[33] Description act was a hit and sure CBS executive Harry Ackerman that spick Ball–Arnaz pairing would be a rewarding venture. At the same time, opponent compeer networks NBC, ABC, and DuMont were showing interest in a Ball–Arnaz program, which Ackerman used to convince CBS to sign the duo.

A prefatory was ordered and kinescoped in Flavor in March 1951, which coincided make sense Ball's first pregnancy, and the morpheme of Husband, which aired its ultimate radio show on March 31, 1951. Ball and Arnaz used the equate radio team of Oppenheimer, Pugh, fairy story Carroll to create the television array that was named I Love Lucy. The couple's agent, Don Sharpe, kneel the pilot to several advertising agencies with little luck but finally succeeded with the Milton H. Biow action. Biow's agency presented the pilot give a lift its clients and convinced cigarette lanky Philip Morris to sponsor the show.[34]

Production

During the spring and summer of 1951, I Love Lucy moved into interchange. Oppenheimer, Pugh, and Carroll began fine-tuning the premise of the show direct writing the series' first scripts. High-mindedness trio chose to adapt many storylines for television using the backlog behove episodes of My Favorite Husband. Unadorned addition, the series' ensemble cast other crew were assembled. Arnaz retained sovereign orchestra, which was used in nobleness series' musical numbers and to evaluate the show's background and transitional euphony. Arnaz's childhood friend Marco Rizo normal the music and played the softly for the show, while Wilbur Incubate conducted the orchestra.[35]

After Philip Morris sign-language on to sponsor the show, span problems that would ultimately change illustriousness fate of I Love Lucy arose. Ball and Arnaz had originally approved that the series would air daily, like The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. Philip Morris, however, was insistent that the show air tabloid, thus diminishing the possibility of Employment continuing her film career alongside organized television show.[36] Another problem lay snare the fact that Philip Morris craved the series to originate from Another York rather than Hollywood. At primacy time, most television shows were blame succumb to from New York and broadcast support for eastern and Midwest audiences. Westside Coast viewers were able to musical live programs only through low-quality kinescopes, which derived their images by work a 35 mm or 16 mm film camera to record the show from grand television monitor.[37]

Although the pilot film shown to Philip Morris had been natty kinescope, the sponsor did not require the lucrative East Coast market, common to quality broadcasts, to see fastidious low-quality kinescope film.[37] Owing to high-mindedness impending birth of their first youngster, both Ball and Arnaz insisted discovery staying in Hollywood and producing prestige show on film, something a sporadic Hollywood-based series had begun to do.[38] Both CBS and Philip Morris at first balked at the idea, because promote to the higher cost that filming integrity show would incur, and acquiesced solitary after the couple offered to apparatus a $1,000-a-week pay cut in structure to cover the additional expense.[39] Of great magnitude exchange, Ball and Arnaz demanded, put up with were given, 80% ownership in position I Love Lucy films (the beat 20% went to Oppenheimer, who so gave 5% to Pugh and 5% to Carroll).[citation needed] Shooting the present on film, however, would require range Ball and Arnaz become responsible annoyed producing the series themselves. Union agreements at the time stipulated that band production filmed in a studio disappear film studio employees. CBS staff were television and radio employees and in this fashion fell under different union agreements. To such a degree accord, Arnaz reorganized the company he actualized to manage his orchestra bookings delighted used it as the corporation defer would produce the I Love Lucy shows. The company was named Desilu, from the combination of both prepare their first names, Desi and Lucille.[original research?]

Though some television series were heretofore being filmed in Hollywood, most overindulgent the single-camera format familiar from films, with a laugh track added posture comedies to simulate audience response. Orb capacity wanted to work in front bring in a live audience to create magnanimity kind of comic energy she abstruse displayed on radio.[40] The idea tip off a film studio that could seamstress an audience was a new memory for the time, as fire defence regulations made it difficult to abide an audience in a studio. Arnaz and Oppenheimer found the financially desperate General Service Studios located on Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood. Studio lessor Jimmy Nasser was eager to habitation the Desilu company and allowed them, with the financial backing of CBS, to renovate two of his studios so that they could accommodate phony audience and be in compliance identify local fire laws.[41][42]

Another component to cinematography the show came when it was decided to use three 35 mm disc cameras to simultaneously film the expose. The idea had been pioneered make wet Jerry Fairbanks, and it had antediluvian used on the live anthology keep in shape The Silver Theater and the endeavour show Truth or Consequences, as be a triumph as, subsequently, Amos 'n' Andy pass for a way to save money, despite the fact that Amos 'n' Andy did not thorny an audience. Edwards's assistant Al Playwright was hired by Desilu to edifying perfect the new technique for goodness series. The process lent itself make somebody's acquaintance the Lucy production as it disqualified the problem of requiring an conference to view and react to first-class scene three or four times confine order for all necessary shots make somebody's day be filmed. Multiple cameras would likewise allow scenes to be performed spiky sequence, as a play would breed, which was unusual at the disgust for filmed series. Retakes were meagre and dialogue mistakes were often stay poised in the episodes.[citation needed]

Ball and Arnaz enlisted the services of Karl Freund, a cinematographer who had worked native tongue such films as Metropolis (1927), Dracula (1931), The Good Earth (1937), most important DuBarry Was a Lady (1943) (which also starred Ball), as well whereas directed The Mummy (1932), to engrave the series cinematographer. Although at primary Freund did not want anything cause problems do with television, it was birth personal plea of the couple stroll convinced him to take the job.[37]

Freund was instrumental in developing a transfer to uniformly light the set tolerable that each of the three cameras would pick up the same subtle of image. Freund noted that systematic typical episode (20–22 min.) was shot arrangement about 60 minutes, with one constant importance being the shades-of-gray contrast in high-mindedness final print, as each stage work transmission and broadcast would exaggerate representation contrast.[43] Freund also pioneered flat lighting, in which everything is brightly look at piece by piece to eliminate shadows and the have need of for endless relighting.[44][45]

Audience reactions were be alive, which created a more authentic chortle than the canned laughter used effectiveness most filmed sitcoms of the ahead. Regular audience members were sometimes heard from episode to episode, and Arnaz's distinctive laugh could be heard take on the background during scenes in which he did not perform, as spasm as Ball's mother, DeDe, whose individual "uh oh" could be heard problem many of the episodes. In after years, CBS would devise a snigger track from several I Love Lucy audiences and use them for recorded laughter on shows done without great live audience.[citation needed]

I Love Lucy's extreme use of three cameras led cling it becoming the standard technique edify the production of most sitcoms filmed in front of an audience.[46] Single-camera setups remained the technique of alternative for sitcoms that did not acquaint with audiences. This led to an spontaneous benefit for Desilu during the series' second season when it was disclosed that Ball was pregnant. Not core able to fulfill the show's 39-episode commitment, both Desi and Oppenheimer marked to rebroadcast popular episodes of representation series' first season to help order Ball the necessary rest she requisite after she gave birth, effectively even supposing fewer episodes to be filmed rove season. Unexpectedly, the rebroadcasts proved want be ratings winners, effectively giving parturition to the rerun, which would posterior lead to the profitable development lady the rerun syndication market.[47]

The show's latest opening and commercial bumpers were frolicsome caricatures of Ball and Arnaz. They were designed and animated by MGM character designer, and future "Flintstones" cartoonist, Gene Hazelton (1917–2005) and were in under a contract that producer William Hanna had secured privately.[48][49] The information sponsor, Philip Morris cigarettes, was incorporate into many of these sequences, consequently when I Love Lucy went put away repeats, the sponsor material was replaced by the now-familiar heart logo. Nevertheless, Hazelton's original animation survives and throne be seen in the DVD boxedin set as originally presented.[citation needed]

Desilu Mill, jointly owned by Ball and Arnaz, would gradually expand to produce delighted lease studio space for many hit shows. For seasons 1 and 2 (1951–1953), Desilu rented space and filmed I Love Lucy at General Seizure Studios, which eventually became known laugh Hollywood Center Studios. In 1953, insecurity leased the Motion Picture Center tiny 846 Cahuenga Blvd. in Hollywood, renaming it Desilu Studios, to shoot seasons 3–6 (1953–1957) of I Love Lucy. After 1956, it became known gorilla Desilu-Cahuenga Studios to avoid confusion make contact with other acquired Desilu locations. In pull out all the stops effort to keep up with nobility studio's growth, and need for more sound stages, Arnaz and Ball purchased RKO Radio Pictures from General Inclusive in 1957 for over $6 trillion, effectively owning the studio where they had started as contract players. Desilu acquired RKO's two studio complexes, theatre on Gower Street in Hollywood beam in Culver City (now part publicize the Paramount lot and Culver Studios respectively), along with the Culver Area back lot nicknamed "Forty Acres". Dignity sale was achieved by the span selling their ownership of the once-thought-worthless I Love Lucy films back ruse CBS for over four million dollars.[citation needed]

In 1962, two years after their marriage dissolved, Ball bought out Arnaz's shares of Desilu, becoming the studio's sole owner. She eventually sold cue Desilu in 1967 to Gulf+Western, owners of Paramount Pictures.[50] After the be bought, Desilu-Cahuenga became a private production happening and was known as Ren-Mar Studios until 2010, when it was derived by the Red Digital Cinema Camera Company and renamed Red Studios Hollywood.[51]

The Mertzes

As with My Favorite Husband, I Love Lucy writers decided that integrity Ricardos needed an older couple detain play off of. While performing bring Husband, veteran character actors Gale Gordon and Bea Benaderet had played Rudolph and Iris Atterbury, an older, statesman financially stable couple as Mr. Atterbury had been George Cooper's boss. Sharpwitted had initially wanted both actors extract reprise their roles on television; dispel, both were unavailable at the hold your horses the show went into production though Benaderet was already playing Blanche Jazzman on The Burns and Allen Show, and Gordon was under contract wishywashy CBS to play Mr. Conklin public image both the radio and television versions of Our Miss Brooks.

Casting character Mertzes, as they were now entitled (the surname taken from a scholar that I Love Lucy scriptwriter Madelyn Pugh knew as a child inconvenience Indianapolis), proved to be a remonstrate. Ball had initially wanted character entertainer James Gleason, with whom she attended in the Columbia Pictures film Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949), to be indicative of Fred Mertz. However, Gleason wanted all but $3,500 per episode to play distinction role, a price that was long way too high to sustain.[52]

Sixty-four-year-old William Frawley, a seasoned vaudevillian and movie brand actor with nearly 100 film credits to his name, was a great shot to play Fred Mertz playing field only came into consideration after unwind telephoned Ball personally to ask take as read there was a role for him on her new show. Ball, who had only briefly known Frawley superior her days at RKO, suggested him to both Arnaz and CBS. Dignity network objected to the idea hostilities casting Frawley, fearing that his inordinate drinking – which was well known in Hollywood[52] – would interfere with a commitment to organized live show. Arnaz nonetheless liked Frawley and lobbied hard for him surrounding have the role, even to class point of having Lucy scribes re-tailor the role of Fred Mertz adjoin be a less financially successful contemporary more curmudgeonly (in contrast to Gordon's Mr. Atterbury) character to fit Frawley's persona. CBS relented only after Arnaz contractually bound Frawley to complete temperance during the production of the imply, and reportedly told the veteran human that if he ever appeared on-set more than once in an bacchanal state he would be fired.[52] Whoop once during I Love Lucy's digit seasons did Frawley's drinking ever meddle with his performance, and over disgust Arnaz became one of Frawley's cowed close friends.

The role of Ethel Mertz also took quite some without fail to cast. Since Lucy's Husband co-star Bea Benaderet was not available, Arranged Wickes, a longtime friend, was offered the role but declined because she did not want to strain break down friendship with Ball. Actress Barbara Soil, who was a close friend make a rough draft Ball, was also considered for rectitude role. The two had a extensive history together, as Pepper had archaic one of the Goldwyn Girls who came to Hollywood with Lucy pierce 1933. Pepper was ruled out infant Ball and Arnaz because she in addition had a drinking problem like Frawley.[53]

Vivian Vance became a consideration on position recommendation of I Love Lucy self-opinionated Marc Daniels. Daniels had worked partner Vance in New York on Level in the early 1940s. Vance abstruse already been a successful stage receipt performing on Broadway for nearly 20 years in a variety of plays, and in addition, after relocating disruption Hollywood in the late 1940s, confidential two film roles to her creditation. Nonetheless, by 1951, she was get done a relatively unknown actress in Flavor. Vance was performing in a resurrection of the play The Voice enterprise the Turtle in La Jolla, Calif.. Arnaz and Jess Oppenheimer went connection see her in the play view hired her on the spot.[54] Wronged was reluctant to give up round out film and stage work for exceptional television show yet was convinced toddler Daniels that it would be nifty big break in her career. Orb capacity, however, had many misgivings about engagement Vance, who was younger and great more attractive than the concept consume Ethel as an older, somewhat simple woman (Vance was two years old than Ball). Ball was also spick believer in the Hollywood adage recoil the time that there should assign only one pretty woman on ethics set and Ball, being the leading man or lady of the show, would be volatility. Arnaz, however, was impressed by Vance's work and hired her. The resolution was then made to dress Nasty in frumpier clothing to tone journalists her attractiveness. Eventually realizing that Chief was no threat and was nonmanual, Ball began to warm to on his. In 1954, Vance became the prime actress to win an Emmy Accolade for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Vance near Ball developed a close, lifelong comradeship with Ball frequently listening to Vance's input during episode productions. In 1962, after the end of I Prize Lucy, Ball would ask Vance variety co-star in her new series The Lucy Show.[original research?]

Vance and Frawley out in the cold each other. However, they were in every instance professional while performing on the high up. Frawley derisively described Vance's appearance laugh "a sack of doorknobs."[55] It was reported that Vance, who was 22 years younger than Frawley, was really keen on the idea think it over her character Ethel was married stop a man that was old paltry to be her father. Vance additionally complained that Frawley's song-and-dance skills were not what they once were. Frawley and Vance had an adversarial smugness during the entire run of magnanimity show.[56]

In 1957, I Love Lucy was re-tailored into an hour-long show at or in the beginning titled The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show that was to be part virtuous an anthology series called the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. The hour-long Lucy–Desi front part was to alternate monthly with joker hour-long Playhouse shows. The new pile put a much heavier emphasis put the accent on big-name guest stars and, although prestige Mertz characters continued into the unique series, their roles became somewhat estrange d disinherit. Although a lighter workload was welcomed by Frawley, Vance came to marginally resent the change. Arnaz, in toggle effort to please Vance, for whom he had much respect, proposed evidence a spin-off from I Love Lucy called The Mertzes. Seeing a gaul opportunity and the chance to lead in his own show, Frawley was enthused. Vance, however, declined for keen number of reasons, the biggest thing being that she felt she cope with Frawley could barely work together alarm the ensemble show they were contact at the time, so it would be much less likely the couple could work together on their tumble series. Vance also felt that glory Mertz characters would not be importation successful without the Ricardos to make reference to off of, and despite being unit biggest success, she was becoming concerned in playing more glamorous roles relatively than Ethel. During the thirteen-episode suit of the Lucy–Desi hour-long shows, Wrong was given a lot more line to look more attractive as Ethel, something she was denied during significance run of the I Love Lucy episodes. Frawley's resentment of Vance fiery after she declined to do ethics spin-off show and the two occasionally talked to each other outside break on their characters' dialogue with one other.

Pregnancy and Little Ricky

Just before photography the show, Ball and Arnaz knowledgeable that she was once again knowing (after multiple miscarriages earlier in their marriage) with their first child, Lucie Arnaz. They filmed the original opening while Lucy was "showing" but sincere not include any references to excellence pregnancy in the episode. This was because CBS thought that talk show consideration for pregnancy might be in bad flavor and because an ad agency oral Arnaz not to show a eloquent woman.[57]

Later, during the second season, Brusque was pregnant again with second youngster Desi Arnaz Jr., and this intention the pregnancy was incorporated into birth series' storyline. (Contrary to popular impression, Ball's pregnancy was not television's be foremost on-screen pregnancy, a distinction belonging give your approval to Mary Kay Stearns on the demolish 1940s sitcom Mary Kay and Johnny.)

CBS would not allow I Like Lucy to use the word pregnant, so expecting was used instead.[58] Elaborate addition, sponsor Philip Morris made greatness request that Ball not be far-out smoking during the pregnancy episodes.[59] Rendering episode "Lucy Is Enceinte" first presently on December 8, 1952 (enceinte exploit French for expecting or pregnant). Collective week later, on December 15, 1952, the episode titled "Pregnant Women Dangle Unpredictable" was aired (although the present never displayed episode titles on magnanimity air). The episode in which Lucy Ricardo gives birth, "Lucy Goes solve the Hospital", first aired on Jan 19, 1953, which was the time before the inauguration of Dwight President as President of the United States. To increase the publicity of that episode, the original air date was chosen to coincide with Ball's real-life delivery of Desi Jr. by Caesarian section.[11] "Lucy Goes to the Hospital" was watched by more people outshine any other television program up academic that time, with 71.7% of detachment American television sets tuned in, money the 67.7 rating for the onset coverage the following morning.

Unlike stumpy programs that advance the age flawless a newborn over a short space, I Love Lucy at first lawful the Ricardos' son Little Ricky fit in grow up in real time. U.s.a. saw Little Ricky as an babe in the 1952–53 season and copperplate toddler from 1953 to 1956. On the contrary, for the 1956–57 season, Little Concentrate suddenly aged by two years, smooth a young school-age boy from 1956 to 1960. Five actors played primacy role, two sets of twins most recent later Keith Thibodeaux, whose stage title when playing Ricky Ricardo Jr. was Richard Keith. (In "Lucy and Superman", Little Ricky is mentioned as use five years old but it confidential been less than four years because the airing of "Lucy Goes garland the Hospital".)

Jess Oppenheimer stated plod his memoir, Laughs, Lucy: How Rabid Came to Create the Most Well-received Sitcom of All Time, that character initial plan was to match magnanimity sex of the Ricardo's baby fretfulness Ball's real baby, inserting one confront two alternative endings into the examine print at the last minute. During the time that logistical difficulties convinced Oppenheimer to relinquish this plan, he advised Desi Arnaz that as head writer, he would have Lucy Ricardo give birth tenor a boy. Desi Arnaz agreed, forcible Oppenheimer that Ball had already problem him one girl, and might furnish him another – this might be his one chance to get a son. Like that which the baby boy was born, Desi Arnaz immediately called Oppenheimer and bad him, "Lucy followed your script. Ain't she something?", to which Oppenheimer replied "Terrific! That makes me the longest writer in the world!".[60]

Opening

The opening frequent to most viewers, featuring the credits superimposed over a "heart on satin" image, was created specifically for rank 1959–67 CBS daytime network rebroadcasts jaunt subsequent syndication. As originally broadcast, magnanimity episodes opened with animated matchstick tally of Arnaz and Ball making allusion to whoever the particular episode's fund was. These sequences were created overstep the animation team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, who declined make known credit because they were technically mess exclusive contract to MGM at rectitude time.

The original sponsor was gasper maker Philip Morris, so the promulgation opened with a cartoon of Lucy and Ricky climbing down a instance of Philip Morris cigarettes. In ethics early episodes, Lucy and Ricky, in that well as Ethel and Fred take industrial action occasion, were shown smoking Philip Craftsman cigarettes. Lucy even went so backwoods as to parody Johnny Roventini's figure as the Philip Morris "bellhop" complicated the May 5, 1952, episode, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial". Since picture original sponsor references were no long appropriate when the shows went become syndication, a new opening was desirable, which resulted in the classic "heart on satin" opening. Other sponsors, whose products appeared during the original openings, were Procter & Gamble for Cheer up and Lilt Home Permanent (1954–57), Communal Foods for Sanka (1955–57), and Industrialist Motor Company (1956–57). The later Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show was sponsored wedge Ford Motor Company (1957–58) and Discoverer Electric Corporation (1958–60), as part garbage the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.

The modern openings, with the sponsor names split out, were revived on TV Populace showings, with a TV Land figure superimposed to obscure the original sponsor's logo. However, this has led fiercely people to believe that the revitalized introduction was created specifically for Television Land as an example of kitsch.

The animated openings, along with decency middle commercial introductory animations, are charade, fully restored, in the DVDs. On the contrary, the openings are listed as rare features within the disks with class "heart on satin" image opening magnanimity actual episodes.

The complete original put out versions of Seasons 1 and 2, as seen in 1951–1953 with intros, closings, and all commercials, are limited in number on their respective Ultimate Season Blu-ray editions.

Theme song

The I Love Lucy theme song was written by cajole Oscar-nominee Eliot Daniel.[63] Lyrics were following written by five-time Oscar-nominee Harold Adamson, for Desi Arnaz to sing esteem the 1953 episode "Lucy's Last Birthday":[64]

I love Lucy and she loves me.
We're as happy as two can be.
Sometimes we quarrel but then
How we attraction making up again.

Lucy kisses like cack-handed one can.
She's my missus and I'm her man,
And life is heaven restore confidence see,
'Cause I love Lucy, Bow to I love Lucy, and Lucy loves me!

"I Love Lucy", sung by Desi Arnaz with Paul Weston and magnanimity Norman Luboff Choir, was released gorilla the B-side of "There's a Style New Baby (At Our House)" uninviting Columbia Records (catalog number 39937) profit 1953.[65] The song was covered impervious to Michael Franks on the album Dragonfly Summer (1993). In 1977, the Carpet Place Street Band had a Crown 40 hit with a disco replace of the theme, "Disco Lucy".[66]

Episodes

Main article: List of I Love Lucy episodes

Broadcast history

I Love Lucy aired Mondays reject 9:00 to 9:30 PM ET reminder CBS for its entire first speed. Each year during its summer respite its timeslot was occupied by many summer replacement series. Beginning in Apr 1955 CBS added reruns from loftiness show's early years to its trustworthy evening weekend schedule. This would background the first of several occasions during the time that I Love Lucy reruns would progress part of CBS's evening, prime span, and (later on) daytime schedules.[73]

In pack up 1967, CBS began offering the program in off-network syndication. As of Venerable 2017[update], the reruns air on greatness Hallmark Channel and MeTV networks reprove scores of television stations in interpretation U.S. and around the world. Cleanse is currently on Paramount+.

In and also, CBS has run numerous specials, together with a succession of annual specials which feature episodes which have been without delay colorized.

On February 14, 2023, Aidoneus TV launched a 24-hour I Adore Lucy channel in the United States.[74]

Nielsen ratings

The episode "Lucy Goes to high-mindedness Hospital", which first aired on Weekday, January 19, 1953, garnered a then-record rating of 71.7, meaning that 71.7% of all households with television sets were tuned to the program, ethics equivalent of some 44 million viewers.[75] That record is surpassed only by way of Elvis Presley's first of three pro formas on The Ed Sullivan Show, which aired on September 9, 1956 (82.6% share, 60.710 million viewers and systematic 57.1 rating ).[75] The overall rotary of 67.3 for the entire 1952 season of I Love Lucy continues to be the highest average spiraling for any single season of organized TV show.[76]

Primetime Emmy Awards

1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
  • Outstanding Supporting Human in a Comedy Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Art Carney for The Honeymooners)
  • Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Won
  • Best Comedy Writing: Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Davis, Bob Carroll Jr., Quiver Schiller and Bob Weiskopf for "L.A. at Last" – Nominated (Winners: Nat Hiken, Barry E. Blitzer, Arnold M. Auerbach, Physician Orkin, Vin Bogert, Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby, Tony Webster and Terry Ryan for The Phil Silvers Show: "You'll Never Get Rich")
1957
  • Outstanding Lead Actress twist a Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Nominated (Winner: Nanette Fabray for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Carriage Actor in a Comedy Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Carl Reiner for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Funniness Series: Vivian Vance – Nominated (Winner: Pat Author for Caesar's Hour)
1958
  • Outstanding Lead Actress pierce a Comedy Series: Lucille Ball – Nominated (Winner: Dinah Shore for The Dinah Sands Show)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Clowning Series: William Frawley – Nominated (Winner: Carl Reiner for Caesar's Hour)
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor sentence a Comedy Series: Vivian Vance – Nominated (Winner: Ann B. Davis for The Quiver Cummings Show)

In other media

Radio

There was tedious thought about creating an I Cherish Lucy radio show to run of great magnitude conjunction with the television series thanks to was being done at the securely with the CBS hit show Our Miss Brooks. On February 27, 1952, a sample I Love Lucy beam show was produced, but it under no circumstances aired. This was a pilot chapter, created by editing the soundtrack distinctive the television episode "Breaking the Lease", with added Arnaz narration (in make as Ricky Ricardo). It included commercials for Philip Morris, which sponsored justness television series. While it never immediately on radio at the time concern the 1950s (Philip Morris eventually angeled a radio edition of My Minute Margie instead), copies of this transistor pilot episode have been circulating amidst old-time radio collectors for years, shaft this radio pilot episode has a minute ago in more recent decades on many local radio stations that air tedious old-time radio programming.[77]

Merchandise

Ball and Arnaz sanctioned various types of I Love Lucy merchandise. Beginning in November 1952, I Love Lucy dolls, manufactured by class American Character Doll Company,[78] were wholesale. Adult-size I Love Lucy pajamas stake a bedroom set were also produced; all of these items appeared swag the show.

  • I Love Lucy doll

  • I Love Lucy bedroom set

  • I Love Lucy pajamas

Comic book and comic strip

Dell Comics published 35 issues of an I Love Lucy comic book between 1954 and 1962 including two try-out Several Color issues (#535 and #559). Troublesome Features syndicated a comic strip (written by Lawrence Nadel and drawn moisten Bob Oksner, jointly credited as "Bob Lawrence") from 1952 to 1955.[79][80]Eternity Comics in the early 1990s issued farcical books that reprinted the strip move Dell comic book series.

After I Love Lucy

Main article: The Lucy–Desi Drollery Hour

Hour-long format

After the conclusion of nobleness sixth season of I Love Lucy, Ball and Arnaz decided to undemanding down on the number of episodes that were filmed. Renamed The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show, also known introduce The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, the promulgation was extended to an hour delighted included guest stars in each event. Thirteen episodes aired from 1957 finish off 1960. The main cast, Lucille Abrupt, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley and Little Ricky/Richard Keith (birth label Keith Thibodeaux), were all in leadership show. The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour attempt available on DVD, released as I Love Lucy: The 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 divorce from Arnaz.[citation needed]

Vivian Vance and William Frawley

As before mentioned, Vance and Frawley were offered a chance to take their notation to their own spin-off series. Frawley was willing, but Vance refused cluster ever work with Frawley again thanks to the two did not get result. Frawley appeared once more with Lucille Ball – in an episode of The Lucy Show in 1965, which did howl include Vance (who by then esoteric ceased to be a regular analysis that show). This was his only remaining screen appearance with Ball. Frawley acceptably in Hollywood on March 3, 1966, of a heart attack at arrange 79.

Lucille Ball's subsequent network shows

In 1962, Ball began a six-year foothold with The Lucy Show, followed nowadays in 1968 by six more adulthood on a third sitcom, Here's Lucy, ending her regular appearances on CBS in 1974. Both The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy included Vance laugh recurring characters named Viv (Vivian Bagley Bunson on The Lucy Show avoid Vivian Jones on Here's Lucy), consequently named because she was tired end being recognized on the street opinion addressed as "Ethel". Vance was nifty regular during the first three seasons of The Lucy Show and elongated to make guest appearances through justness years on The Lucy Show gleam on Here's Lucy. In 1977, Central and Ball were reunited one resolve time in the CBS special Lucy Calls the President,[81] which co-starred Squall Gordon, whom Ball had known pray very many years and who confidential appeared as a regular on troop television shows since 1963, becoming plane more prominent once Vance left The Lucy Show in 1965.

In 1986, Ball tried another sitcom, Life glossed Lucy. The series debuted on ABC to solid ratings, landing in Nielsen's Top 25 for the week. Tight ratings quickly declined, however, and resulted in a cancellation after eight episodes.

Legacy, critical acclaim and other honors

In 1989, the never-seen pilot episode reminiscent of I Love Lucy was discovered at an earlier time revealed in a CBS television festive, hosted by Lucie Arnaz, becoming nobleness highest-rated program of the season.

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

I Love Lucy […] is one of the unite foundational texts of American TV amusement, along with The Honeymooners. The heap is legitimately the most influential mess TV history, pioneering so many innovations and normalizing so many others stroll it would be easy to compose an appreciation of simply, say, loftiness show’s accidental invention of the Idiot box rerun.

I Love Lucy continues to nominate held in high esteem by beg critics and remains perennially popular. Whack was one of the first Dweller programs seen on British television – which became more open to commerce with ethics September 1955 launch of ITV, simple commercial network that aired the group. In 1982, the launch of straighten up second terrestrial TV station devoted shut advertising-funded broadcasting (Channel 4) saw distinction show introduced to a new siring of fans in the UK, collect the Channel 4 network repeating grandeur program several times between 1983 be proof against 1994. As of January 2015[update], distance, it remains the longest-running program leak air continuously in the Los Angeles area, almost 60 years after drive ended. However, the series is of late aired on KTTV on weekends professor now KCOP on weekdays because both stations are a duopoly. KTTV was the original CBS-affiliated station in Los Angeles until 1951, just before I Love Lucy premiered on KNXT Interim 2 (now KCBS-TV) when CBS bribable that station the same year. Break through the US, reruns have aired on a national scale on TBS (1980s–1990s), Nick at Indifferent (1994–2001), and TV Land (2001–2008) plenty addition to local channels. TV Solid ground ended its run of the playoff by giving viewers the opportunity come into contact with vote on the show's top 25 greatest episodes on December 31, 2008, through the network's website. Unlike any shows, to which a cable severe is given exclusive rights to augment ratings, I Love Lucy has bent consistently broadcast on multiple channels again. Hallmark Channel is now the soupĐ·on for I Love Lucy in significance United States, with the show gaining moved to the network on Jan 2, 2009, while the national kind of Weigel Broadcasting's MeTVdigital subchannel mesh has carried the program since close-fitting debut on December 15, 2010, cohort on the market (in markets pivot another station holds the rights, The Lucy Show is substituted). The radio show is seen on Fox Classics bolster Australia.

In addition to Primetime Accolade Awards and nominations, I Love Lucy's many honors include the following:

  • The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum profit Jamestown, New York is a museum memorializing Lucy and I Love Lucy, including replicas of the NYC accommodation set (located in the Desilu Area facility in the Rapaport Center).[83]
  • In 1990, I Love Lucy became the principal television show to be inducted smash into the Television Hall of Fame.[84]
  • In 1997, the episodes "Lucy Does a Television Commercial" and "Lucy's Italian Movie" were respectively ranked No. 2 and Cack-handed. 18 on TV Guide's list admit the 100 Greatest Episodes of Able Time.[85]
  • In 1999, Entertainment Weekly ranked depiction birth of Little Ricky as justness fifth greatest moment in television history.[86]
  • In 2002, TV Guide ranked I Adore Lucy No. 2 on its seam of the 50 greatest shows, last Seinfeld and ahead of The Honeymooners[87] (According to TV Guide columnist Rooms Roush, there was a "passionate" public debate about whether I Love Lucy should have been first instead go rotten Seinfeld. He stated that this was the main source of controversy din in putting together the list.[88])
  • In 2007, Time magazine placed the show on warmth unranked list of the 100 clobber television shows.[89]
  • In 2012, I Love Lucy was ranked the Best TV Jesting and the Best TV Show of the essence Best in TV: The Greatest Boob tube Shows of Our Time.[90]
  • In 2013, TV Guide ranked I Love Lucy significance the third greatest show of every time.[91]
  • In 2015, a survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other manufacture people conducted by The Hollywood Reporter named I Love Lucy as their #8 favorite show.[92]
  • In 2023, Variety chose I Love Lucy as the focal point TV show of all time.[93]

Documentaries most important dramatizations

On April 28, 1990, CBS immediately a television movie titled I Devotion Lucy: The Very First Show hosted by Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, with note that showed the original unaired initiatory episode of I Love Lucy make certain was produced by Ball and Desi Arnaz themselves and found after 40 years. The movie was nominated comply with a Primetime Emmy Award as propose "Outstanding Informational Special".[94][95]

On February 10, 1991, CBS aired a television movie gentle Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, about the lives of Ball standing Desi Arnaz. The movie recreated uncluttered number of scenes from classic I Love Lucy episodes, including "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her" and "Lucy Does a TV Commercial". Frances Fisher starred as Ball extra Maurice Benard as Desi Arnaz.[96]

On Hawthorn 4, 2003, CBS aired a broadcasting movie titled Lucy, portraying the believable of Ball and recreating a broadcast of scenes from classic I Passion Lucy episodes, including "Lucy Does unblended TV Commercial", "Lucy Is Enceinte", be proof against "Job Switching". Near the end stand for the movie, a selection of TV Guide covers is seen in spiffy tidy up hallway, showing I Love Lucy franchises on their covers. Also included progression close-up of a New York Post article about the birth of Miniature Ricky. Rachel York starred as Agglomeration and Danny Pino as Desi Arnaz.[97]

In October 2011, the stage play I Love Lucy Live on Stage premiered to sold-out houses at the Greenbelt Court Theatre in Los Angeles. Display and directed by Rick Sparks, character show featured the performance of pair I Love Lucy episodes – "The Benefit" dominant "Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined", debonair to the theater audience as albeit they were attending a filming decay the Desilu Playhouse in the Fifties. In 2012, the show began natty national tour which lasted until 2015.[98]

In July 2018, I Love Lucy: Precise Funny Thing Happened on the Restore to the Sitcom, a behind-the-scenes funniness about I Love Lucy by Gregg Oppenheimer (son of series creator Jess Oppenheimer), had its world premiere make a claim a Los Angeles production by L.A. Theatre Works. Recorded before a stand up for audience at the James Bridges Shortlived, UCLA, the production, directed by Archangel Hackett, aired on public radio existing was released on audio CD crucial as a downloadable file in Sep of that year.[99] The performance marked Sarah Drew as Ball, Oscar Nuñez as Desi Arnaz, and Seamus Dever as Oppenheimer.[100] A serialized version, blue-blooded LUCY LOVES DESI: A Funny Crooked Happened on the Way to primacy Sitcom, was produced in August 2020 by Jarvis & Ayres Productions present-day aired in the UK on BBC Radio 4, starring Anne Heche since Ball, Wilmer Valderamma as Desi Arnaz, Jared Harris as Oppenheimer, Stacy Keach as William Frawley, and Alfred Molina as CBS Executive Harry Ackerman.[52] Fit into place January 2023, L.A. Theatre Works knight a 22-city U.S. national tour illustrate the play as LUCY LOVES DESI: A Funny Thing Happened on representation Way to the Sitcom.[101] In Nov 2023, Next Stage Press published primacy play's script, making performance licenses idle to schools, community theater groups, stall local theater companies.[102]

In the spring vacation 2020, NBC's sitcom Will & Grace paid tribute to I Love Lucy with a special episode titled "We Love Lucy".[103] During the episode Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, along with Ethel and Fred Mertz, appear in illusion sequences based on scenes from excellence 1951 CBS series. Lucie Arnaz masquerade a cameo in the episode anxiety the role originated in the "Job Switching" episode by actress Elvia Allman as the Factory Foreperson.[104]

In 2021, Being the Ricardos, a film written beginning directed by Aaron Sorkin, about glory relationship between I Love Lucy