First of all, this was the sitcom of sitcoms. Every aspect of the show's premise was implausible and innovative. This was an extraordinary accomplishment in entertainment when it premiered in 1951. And it was the first-ever sitcom to feature a woman as a main character which was not only rare but taking a huge step forward during the golden age of television in the early-1950's. "I Love Lucy" was rebellious and controversial but in turn had some of the most hilarious episodes ever conceived for television. And even some 65 years after it premiered on television the series is still going strong in syndicated repeats in dozens of languages across the world and still to this day remains popular with an American audience of 40 million each year. As for the series itself it has stood the test of time. "I Love Lucy" made television history as being the first scripted television program to be shot on 35mm film and was in front of a studio audience. From the first episode of "I Love Lucy" on October 15,1951 the show was a instant hit on CBS' Prime Time Monday night schedule for the remainder of it's six- year run producing 181 episodes(which includes the "lost" Christmas episode and the original pilot)until the final episode of the series on May 6,1957 all in classic black-and-white. "I Love Lucy" aired on Monday nights in Prime-Time for the remainder of its run at the 9:00 eastern/8:00 central time slot.
About the production team behind "I Love Lucy". The series was produced by Desi Arnaz who served as executive producer(under his production company Desilu Productions)for 158 episodes of the series from 1952 to 1957. Jess Oppenheimer was producer for 155 episodes from 1951-1956. Marc Daniels directed 33 episodes of the series from 1951-1953. William Asher directed 101 episodes of the series from 1952-1957. James V. Kern took over directorial duties in the final two seasons of the series from 1955-1957. Jess Oppenheimer was one of the writers for Seasons 1 thru 5. Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf came on board during the last two seasons of the series. Only writers Madelyn Davis and Bob Carroll Jr., were the only principal writers that were with the series throughout its entire six year-run. Lucille Ball kept the same principal writers for other shows including "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Show", "The Lucy Show",and "Here's Lucy". Only actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz along with Vivian Vance and William Frawley were the only principal cast players that were with the series throughout its entire run.
The phenomenal success of "I Love Lucy" won five Prime-Time Emmys for Best Situation Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Series between 1952 and 1957 and was nominated for an impressive eight. "I Love Lucy" was during the four of its six seasons was the top rated show on television and was the first series in its final season to end its run at the top of the Nielsens(which was an accomplishment later only matched by "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1968 and "Seinfeld" in 1998).
The guest star roster of who's who of Hollywood greats appear on this series including the hilarious episode where "Lucy Meets Superman" played by George Reeves as Superman!!! And other Hollywood greats include appearances by Richard Widmark, John Wayne, William Holden, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Charles Boyer, Rock Hudson, Hedda Hopper, Van Johnson, Harpo Marx, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Orson Welles, Claude Akins, Joi Lansing and Cornel Wilde. Speaking of the greatest episodes from "I Love Lucy" there are several that are considered classics among them "Lucy Does A TV Commercial"(Season 1, Episode 30), "Lucy's Italian Movie"(Season 5, Episode 23); "Job Switching"(Season 2, Episode 1); "The Camping Trip"(Season 2, Episode 29); "Lucy Is Enceinte" (Season 2, Episode 10); "The Black Wig"(Season 3, Episode 26); "Hollywood at Last"(Season 4, Episode 16)are just some of the hilarious episodes this series had.
Even after 65 years "I Love Lucy" remains one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history and its a milestone that will never be surpassed or equaled. First you had Lucille Ball's astounding flair for comedy top it off with some of outlandish moments that even to this day still entertains. Happy 65th anniversary to one of the great sitcoms of all time....Here's to you Lucy!!!!
About the production team behind "I Love Lucy". The series was produced by Desi Arnaz who served as executive producer(under his production company Desilu Productions)for 158 episodes of the series from 1952 to 1957. Jess Oppenheimer was producer for 155 episodes from 1951-1956. Marc Daniels directed 33 episodes of the series from 1951-1953. William Asher directed 101 episodes of the series from 1952-1957. James V. Kern took over directorial duties in the final two seasons of the series from 1955-1957. Jess Oppenheimer was one of the writers for Seasons 1 thru 5. Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf came on board during the last two seasons of the series. Only writers Madelyn Davis and Bob Carroll Jr., were the only principal writers that were with the series throughout its entire six year-run. Lucille Ball kept the same principal writers for other shows including "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Show", "The Lucy Show",and "Here's Lucy". Only actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz along with Vivian Vance and William Frawley were the only principal cast players that were with the series throughout its entire run.
The phenomenal success of "I Love Lucy" won five Prime-Time Emmys for Best Situation Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Series between 1952 and 1957 and was nominated for an impressive eight. "I Love Lucy" was during the four of its six seasons was the top rated show on television and was the first series in its final season to end its run at the top of the Nielsens(which was an accomplishment later only matched by "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1968 and "Seinfeld" in 1998).
The guest star roster of who's who of Hollywood greats appear on this series including the hilarious episode where "Lucy Meets Superman" played by George Reeves as Superman!!! And other Hollywood greats include appearances by Richard Widmark, John Wayne, William Holden, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Charles Boyer, Rock Hudson, Hedda Hopper, Van Johnson, Harpo Marx, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Orson Welles, Claude Akins, Joi Lansing and Cornel Wilde. Speaking of the greatest episodes from "I Love Lucy" there are several that are considered classics among them "Lucy Does A TV Commercial"(Season 1, Episode 30), "Lucy's Italian Movie"(Season 5, Episode 23); "Job Switching"(Season 2, Episode 1); "The Camping Trip"(Season 2, Episode 29); "Lucy Is Enceinte" (Season 2, Episode 10); "The Black Wig"(Season 3, Episode 26); "Hollywood at Last"(Season 4, Episode 16)are just some of the hilarious episodes this series had.
Even after 65 years "I Love Lucy" remains one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history and its a milestone that will never be surpassed or equaled. First you had Lucille Ball's astounding flair for comedy top it off with some of outlandish moments that even to this day still entertains. Happy 65th anniversary to one of the great sitcoms of all time....Here's to you Lucy!!!!