Lucille Ball once said that she spent most of her time watching Vivian Vance while rewatching old episodes of I Love Lucy

"Viv was sensational," said Lucy.

CBS Television Distribution

While plenty of us enjoy certain moments in our lives, very few of us have the foresight to cherish an experience as it is happening.

As a talented performer and an expert comedian, Lucille Ball had no shortage of laughter throughout her life. For those doubtful, you need only flip on the television and watch an episode of I Love Lucy. Many of those episodes were filled with genuine exhilaration from the cast. To be on a successful television show is one thing; to enjoy your time on that series is another feat altogether.

But during an interview with the Roanoke Times, Ball revealed that, unlike her faithful viewers, she didn't necessarily watch I Love Lucy too frequently. However, Ball said that when she did watch the series, she paid particular attention to one actor.

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"I find that now I usually spend my time looking at Viv," said Ball. Best pals on-screen and off, Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance were an unmatched comedic duo. Vance played Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy, however, she followed Ball to later series including The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy.

"Viv was sensational," said Lucy. "She was something." Years after I Love Lucy had ended, Ball and Vance still spoke kindly of each other during interviews. It's obvious that the love between the two actors shone through in their performance.

Ball was also particularly complimentary to her frequent co-star and former husband, Desi Arnaz.

"Desi was doing three jobs and doing them magnificently," said Ball. "I marvel at some of them now when I think back."

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2 Comments

sagafrat69 30 days ago
The two obviously had a professional and personal relationship that extended way beyond the "I Love Lucy " years. That's kind of rare in television. I'm glad Lucy and Desi made peace with each other towards the end of their lives. For all of Desi's faults including his womanizing and drinking, he was brilliant in those early television years. I don't think any person would"ve asked Vivian Vance about her t.v. husband Fred Mertz. She dispised Frawley and vice versa.
MrsPhilHarris 1 month ago
I still remember her mean comments about Desi when she was interviewed by Barbara Wawa.
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