If the large number of biopics and documentaries coming out about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz have made you realize that you’ve missed out on seeing their classic series I Love Lucy, then fear not because it’s widely available to stream. While there are plenty of projects coming out about the drama off-stage, the comedy on stage is well worth checking out as well.
What Is I Love Lucy About (and Why Does it Still Matter)?
I Love Lucy is a classic CBS sitcom that ran from 1951 to 1957. It not only won eight Primetime Emmys, but it also broke barriers and is still one of the funniest shows ever made. The sitcom focuses on Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, a married couple played by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz who were a couple at the time. Ricky is Cuban American and works as a bandleader in a club and also hosts a television show on occasion. Lucy is a housewife who dreams of breaking into showbiz and constantly schemes to be in Ricky’s show despite her complete lack of talent. Lucy’s ridiculous plans often pull in her friends and landlords, Fred and Ethel Mertz. This simple premise works remarkably well thanks to the tight writing and the flawless comedic timing of the cast.
While some of the comedy that relies on 1950s gender roles can be a bit dated to today’s audience, Lucille Ball’s knack for comedy turns even something as simple as Lucy’s failure to correctly darn a sock into comedy gold. I Love Lucy was consistently at the top of the Nielsen ratings during its run and is still popular in reruns and on streaming sites today. Filmed before a studio audience, I Love Lucy was filmed on 35mm, making it a trailblazer for television cinematography. The show was made by Desilu Studios, which was owned by Arnaz and Ball. Given the massive impact the show had on the television landscape, it’s hard to…