7 Shocking Facts About I Love Lucy That Will Surprise Fans
I Love Lucy wasn’t just one of the most-watched television shows of its time — it was a groundbreaking piece of television history. For four out of its six seasons, the show was at the top of the ratings. From its innovative multi-camera setup to its groundbreaking ensemble cast and live studio audience, I Love Lucy shaped the landscape of television for generations to come.
While few shows have ever replicated the magic that Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball created on-screen, Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos aims to capture the essence of their complex partnership. Starring Nicole Kidman as Lucy and Javier Bardem as Desi, the film focuses on a pivotal week during the production of I Love Lucy, where personal and professional crises threaten to unravel their careers and marriage. In anticipation of the film, here are seven lesser-known and surprising facts about the beloved sitcom.
1. Desi Arnaz Almost Didn’t Join I Love Lucy
Initially, Lucille Ball starred in the radio show My Favorite Husband alongside Richard Denning. When CBS decided to adapt the show for television, they wanted Denning to continue as Lucy’s on-screen husband. However, Lucy insisted that her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, should play Ricky Ricardo. There was initial resistance, as casting a mixed-race couple was seen as controversial. Ultimately, the chemistry between Lucy and Desi convinced the studio to move forward with the casting, and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. The Network Was Surprisingly Conservative
In the 1950s, television was very conservative, which became evident in several aspects of I Love Lucy. For example, Lucy and Ricky were always shown in separate beds, a common practice of the time to maintain a sense of modesty. Over the course of the show, the beds actually moved farther apart in each scene. Similarly, when Lucy became pregnant, the show avoided the word “pregnant” entirely, using phrases like “expecting” instead. This was due to fears about how advertisers would respond to the depiction of pregnancy on television.
3. Lucille Ball’s Mother Was a Regular On Set
Lucille Ball’s mother, DeDe Ball, was a constant presence on the I Love Lucy set. In fact, she attended every taping of the show. According to Desi Arnaz, DeDe’s encouraging presence could be heard behind the scenes, especially when Lucy was about to get into trouble. In fact, some fans might recognize that famous “uh-oh” sound as coming from DeDe, who was often the one behind the laugh track that accompanied the show.
4. Lucille Ball Nearly Drowned While Filming the Grape Stomping Scene
One of the most iconic scenes from I Love Lucy features Lucy stomping grapes in an attempt to make Italian wine. However, this scene nearly turned tragic. During filming, the non-English-speaking grape crusher, Teresa Tirelli, misunderstood a cue and accidentally held Lucille Ball’s head underwater in the vat of grapes. Ball was close to drowning before the crew was able to intervene.
5. Fred and Ethel Didn’t Get Along Off-Screen
While Fred and Ethel Mertz’s on-screen bickering was a central part of I Love Lucy, the tension wasn’t just limited to their characters. In real life, actors Vivian Vance (Ethel) and William Frawley (Fred) couldn’t stand each other. The animosity started when Vance, who was much younger than Frawley, expressed displeasure at being paired with someone so much older. Their relationship remained strained throughout the show’s run. At one point, Desi Arnaz even offered the pair a Fred and Ethel spinoff, but Vance refused the idea, making it clear she had no desire to work with Frawley outside of I Love Lucy.
6. William Frawley Skipped Episodes for the Yankees
Fred Mertz’s love for baseball was well documented, but in real life, William Frawley was such a devoted fan of the New York Yankees that he had a clause in his contract allowing him to miss work to attend the World Series. This meant that Frawley missed two episodes of I Love Lucy, forcing the writers to come up with creative ways to write him out temporarily so he could watch his beloved Yankees play.
7. I Love Lucy Made Reruns Possible
In a decision that would change television forever, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz insisted that I Love Lucy be filmed using 35mm stock film, which was more expensive but allowed for higher-quality footage. This decision made reruns possible, as the film could be played over and over without degrading in quality. As a result, I Love Lucy became the first show to be rerun, and the concept of television reruns was born — a practice that has since become standard in the industry.
I Love Lucy was more than just a sitcom — it was a revolutionary force in the television world. Whether through its portrayal of a mixed-race marriage, its groundbreaking filming techniques, or its unforgettable characters, the show continues to have a lasting impact on television to this day.
If you’re excited to see more of Lucy and Desi’s story, Being the Ricardos is available in select theaters and will begin streaming globally on Prime Video on December 21.
