The iconic show I Love Lucy premiered 73 years ago today! It ran on CBS for six seasons from 1951-1957. The sitcom was based on Lucille Ball’s popular radio show, My Favorite Husband. When CBS approached her about bringing the show to television, she agreed, as long as her real life husband, Desi Arnaz, could be her costar. The network and sponsors were hesitant initially, but Ball held her ground.
At the time, most TV shows were filmed live in New York City. But, because they were about to have their first child, both Lucy and Desi insisted on staying in Hollywood and producing the show on film. This was something that hadn’t been done much before. I Love Lucy became the first scripted show filemd on 35 mm film in front of a live studio audience. It pioneered the use of 3 cameras, which ultimately became the production standard for most sitcoms filmed in front of an audience.
Lucille Ball was the first woman to appear pregnant on a major television network. However, CBS wouldn’t allow them to use the word “pregnant”, so “expecting” was used instead. The episode in which Lucy gives birth, “Lucy Goes to the Hospital”, was viewed by 44 million people. With 71.7% of American households watching, it’s still one of the most-viewed broadcasts in TV history.
I Love Lucy became the first sitcom to reach #1 in the Neilsen Ratings in 1952. The enduring quality of the 35 mm film helped the show stay popular in reruns, and also made Lucy and Desi the first millionaire TV stars. The show is often regarded as one of the most influential in history, and it’s still popular, with an American audience of 40 million each year.
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