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Vivian Vance commented on the ''desperation'' in later episodes of I Love Lucy
"I, personally, like any show that, from the beginning to end, is not forced," said the actor.
It takes a keen eye and a firm constitution for an actor to be critical of their show. Mindless support is useless; by looking at things with a fine-tooth comb, you're able to see areas within yourself that need improvement. There's no way to become better as a performer than some good old-fashioned constructive criticism.
Long had I Love Lucy been off the air before Vivian Vance made her true feelings regarding the series known. Vance, of course, is known as Ethel Mertz, best friend and companion of Lucy Ricardo.
I Love Lucy ran for six seasons in as many years, and Ball and Vance worked together long after that. Vance adored working with Ball, and the feeling was mutual.
But during an interview with The Buffalo News, Vance admitted that while the series began incredibly strong, it began to waver the longer it spent on air. Known for its out-of-the-box scenarios, I Love Lucy was forced to veer further and further into the fantastical to keep episodes fresh.
"If I were viewing the show, yes, I'd notice a little bit of desperation creeping into the writing now and then," said Vance. "We get a little wild sometimes, like the time Lucy hit me in the face with a chocolate cake that had liver paste in it so a dog would lick it off my face and I had liver paste in all eight sinus cavities for four days."
However, I Love Lucy was known for its outrageousness. It was the sort of thing that kept audiences engaged and kept them coming back for so many years. "When we aren't wild we get letters asking why not," said Vance.
Despite the ebb and flow in comedy, Vance appreciated the natural comedic rhythm between herself and her costars. It was the sort of energy that gave I Love Lucy a timeless quality, making it a series that would be enjoyed for years.
"I, personally, like any show that, from the beginning to end, is not forced," said Vance. "When that happens, it's so much velvet."
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