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I Love Lucy: 100th Anniversary – SOME INSIDE STORIES

By Gina L. Caliboso

“I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. “ – Lucille Ball

Since all of you are well aware of my DVR recording timers, there is yet another timer that I continue to keep. Even though I have seen episode after episode and even after I see them again and still laugh, I am, forever, a die hard “I Love Lucy” fan. Today, August 6th, marks what would have been Lucille Ball’s 100th Birthday and the 60th year when the first episode aired. In celebration, the Hallmark channel (yes folks, I don’t just watch HBO, Showtime, and ESPN2 FNF) will be having a telethon in my favorite redhead’s honor during the weekend.

As I’ve titled my article that we should all take a lesson, I’ll begin with a little background. I am 40 years old. Before there were summer and after school programs, children’s networks like Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, and let’s face it – before cable television, there were only local channels. Like clockwork on those days when I didn’t have school due to a celebration or time off from Catholic school, I’d tune in to Channel 11 (now Fox in Los Angeles). “I Love Lucy” would be the show that I would watch while other kids played outdoors.

“I Love Lucy” centers on the antics of housewife Lucy Ricardo trying to get into the act of her Cuban bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo. Accompanying the Ricardo’s are Fred and Ethel Mertz, their lovable neighbors, and former Vaudeville performers. “I Love Lucy” had a tough beginning. Studio executives did not necessarily buy into the couple’s chemistry to make the show work. Instead, both Lucy and Desi had to take their show “on the road.” I like Lucille Ball’s quote on the development of the show. She says, “how I Love Lucy was born? We decided that instead of divorce lawyers profiting from our mistakes, we’d profit from them.” The show first premiered in October 1951 and now 60 years later, it’s still the most watched show in television history. According to Facebook’s I Love Lucy Page, it shows 617,879 likes.

Even when I would watch the show, I started to have my favorite episodes. Lucy was always trying to get into Ricky’s act. There was no bad language. Lucy’s antics were over the top – who doesn’t know Vitameatavegamin? I talk to friends and we all have a favorite episode. My favorite episodes include “The Candy Factory” and “Vitameatavegamin.” And of course, there are the episodes when Lucy and Ricky found their way into Hollywood. The Hollywood episodes include guest appearances of William Holden, Rock Hudson, the Duke John Wayne, Hedda Hopper, and numerous others.

There is also the episode where Lucy gives birth. According to one source, “more viewers tuned in for the television birth of “Little Ricky” Ricardo than for President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s (1890–1969) inauguration (swearing in as president). The show was the first in television history to claim viewing in more than ten million homes.” (http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ba-Be/Ball-Lucille.html).

I also liked the episodes that took place in Europe. On an episode of Frasier called “An Affair to Forget”, they took a translating bit from an “I Love Lucy” episode. In the Frasier episode, a fencing instructor speaks only German who then speaks to a maid that speaks German and Spanish, who then speaks to Frasier as he translates into English. In “I Love Lucy,” Lucy gets picked up for counterfeit French money. The French policeman speaks in French to another policeman who speaks German to another person that speaks German and Spanish who then speaks to Ricky who then translates to English. Now, I’m sure the bit has been done before, but to see how the bit works again nearly 40 years later – it’s classic.

There are a few lovely things I enjoy as I watch my DVR recording of “I Love Lucy.” First, on a talent level, Lucille Ball had an incredible gift in front of the audience. She had an excellent sense of comedic timing and pioneered physical comedy. Second, the show was ahead of its time because it used three cameras for filming and put on film. Finally, the show is a throwback to something just pure and genuine – much more so than even the most rehearsed reality show. It was real in its sense of humor and honest portrayal of a couple that fought but still kept a sense of humor. “I Love Lucy” is a show that I can watch with every member of my family. When I go over to my sister’s house and it’s a family gathering of sorts, I can turn on “I Love Lucy” and no one complains.

So, RSR readers, leave a comment and let me know if you love the show and tell me your favorite episode. When I say we should take a lesson from Lucy, it’s simple, laugh, laugh, laugh and smile, smile, smile. Given that my Editor Geno has bleakly predicted the demise of boxing after Pacquiao, I’ll need something to smile about – at least until I hear about Pacquiao – Mayweather, JR bout.

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