How Two Actors Created Iconic TV Series and Innovations
How Two Actors Created Iconic TV Series and Innovations
by Bill Knell
In 1940 Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were married. By that time both were working steadily in Hollywood and well known to movie fans. Having learned the inner workings of the Entertainment Business, the always forward thinking couple established Desilu Productions in 1950.
Their first venture was ‘I Love Lucy' which premiered in 1951 and ran until 1957. It could have continued, but Lucy wanted to pursue other projects. The very successful TV series starred the couple as Ricky and Lucy Ricardo. They wisely brought on board Vivian Vance and William Frawley as their neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. Both were experienced and talented performers. Together, the foursome created comedic gold.
Among the innovative firsts established by ‘I Love Lucy' was the featuring of what some called an ‘interracial marriage' on TV. Another was how it was filmed. Most comedy TV shows were broadcast Live and produced in New York City. A few were saved on early versions of fragile and poor quality video. Thanks to Desi's insistance, the show was filmed on 35mm film and shot by several cameras filming simultaneously in front of a live studio audience. That move brought TV show production from NYC to Los Angeles and Hollywood. It also created the opportunity to have the series run in syndication where it remains today.