I Love Lucy (1951 – 1957): Arnaz vs. Arnaz
I Love Lucy, one of television’s first sitcoms, chronicled the contentious, yet loving couple Desi and Lucy Ricardo and their bickering friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz. The show has been a beloved part of popular culture since its run from 1951 to 1957. It was art reflecting life; leads Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz married after meeting during filming Too Many Girls (1940). It was a rough start; Ball filed for divorce in 1944. They quickly reconciled, though, instead seeking opportunities to work together to strengthen their relationship. When CBS and Ball developed a sitcom, she insisted Arnaz play her husband. The network was hesitant to put a Cuban-American with a thick accent in the lead. They thought audiences wouldn’t accept the relationship, considered one of the first interracial couples on television. To prove them wrong, Lucy developed a touring show to prove their chemistry and ability to capture audiences.