Desi Arnaz explained how he and Lucille Ball created I Love Lucy

The series developed from the couple's desire to see a family on television.

CBS Television Distribution

Let's not mince words: A show like I Love Lucy is the best thing since sliced bread, maybe better. The invention of that series feels like a strike of lightning, a bright spot in television history, brought to you by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

During an interview with the Clovis News-Journal, Arnaz revealed the only reason the series even began to take shape was because he and his wife were looking to do a comedy that viewers of every age could enjoy.

"Lucy and I got to the idea for the show," Arnaz said. "We wanted to do a family comedy series. We tried to make the show something the entire family would enjoy."

But in order to produce a lot of laughs, Arnaz and Ball had to put in a lot of effort, acting as captains at the helm of the series.

"It takes a lot of work to do the show," he said, "but as long as the public wants Lucy, we'll keep producing it."

While Arnaz was a businessman at heart, Ball originally pitched I Love Lucy as a way to spend more time together as a couple. The two worked together both on-screen and off.

"If I didn't like it I wouldn't be in it," said Arnaz. "Probably the toughest part of the business for Lucy and I is getting ideas for thirty-nine shows a year. But pity the scriptwriters, they have an even tougher time."

The effort, however, was well worth it to Arnaz, who considered it a joy to be able to make others laugh.

"In show business, you have a chance to create something that you hope others will enjoy," he said. "You can't just walk in and get a job or a top spot. It takes work and determination and often a lot of time. But most important you have to show people you have something."

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4 Comments

WordsmithWorks 22 minutes ago
I always thought "The The Long, Long Trailer" movie was the impetus for "I Love Lucy." Whatever started it, the show certainly became a template for many, many other sitcoms to follow.
cperrynaples 1 hour ago
Actually, there were "Family" comedies back then! Jackie Gleason did the first TV version of The Life Of Riley and Ozzie & Harriet did the longest running live-action family sitcom of them all [14 seasons]!
PS and let's not forget Burns & Allen or Our Miss Brooks, particullarly when you consider Gale Gordon and Bea Benendaret where the first choices for the Mertzs!
Also, I should note that the only reason they had 39 scripts in the first season is they reused plots from My Favorite Husband, Lucy's radio show! By Season 6, they went down to 26, and there were only 13 Lucy-Desi Comedy Hours total in the last 3 seasons!
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