I Love Lucy…

I Love Lucy first came to America’s television screens in October of 1951. And ever since, the world has been in love with Lucy. Sure, some may argue that I Love Lucy's out-of-date content leaves something to be desired here in the twenty-first century. But the impact of the program can still be seen today. And that is why I Love Lucy…

I Love Lucy because it was perhaps, the most innovative show in history. I Love Lucy broke the 1950s sitcom mold in more ways than one. Rather than setting up the camera in one place and then moving it to another location after every shot or scene- as was done in all other sitcoms- I Love Lucy used three cameras simultaneously, one getting the overall view and two others focusing on close-ups. I Love Lucy was also the first sitcom to tape before a live studio audience. The live laughter added energy to the already-hilarious performances of Lucille Ball and company. In the episode “Lucy does the Tango,” there are 65 seconds of continuous laughter after Lucy does the tango with Ricky while wearing a shirt-full of still-in-their-shell eggs, the longest live-audience laughter to date. And while both of these techniques were considered risky in the 1950s, they are currently used in all sitcoms.

I Love Lucy because it gave women a place in society. I Love Lucy was the first television show to feature a woman as the man character. Like so many other women in the 1950s, Lucy Ricardo loved to push the limit of her socially-acceptable role in life. Yearning for more than cleaning and cooking, Lucy tries anything- and everything- to get a job outside the home and goes to crazy lengths to prove her competency. And while many today see her antics as predictable, Lucy never gives up her dreams- no matter how far-fetched they be. And what’s more, Lucy showed that woman could be real, funny, and not-so-predictable. Lucy gave American women a woman with whom they could relate.

I Love Lucy because it has been there, and done that, only better. “New” sitcoms seem to be created each season, yet they are really just modernized versions of old plots. Wives trying to tell their husbands that they are pregnant, spouses getting jealous of their mate’s coworker, fights over the household budget, conflicts over child-raising methods, the perils of babysitting, fights between long-time friends, and more. It was all already done on I Love Lucy, only better.

I Love Lucy because, well, it’s I Love Lucy. Forget all those new shows, a classic is a classic. Lucy trampling grapes while trying to pretend to understand Italian. Her attempt at making a medicine commercial- while half-drunk from the medicine itself. Seeing Lucy nervously cram fork-fulls of spaghetti into her mouth while being stared at by William Holden. Hearing Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred try to learn “proper” English before the birth of little Ricky. No matter what the scenario, I Love Lucy does it best. Period.

So while black and white television may not be coming back any time soon- or ever- it is to be treasured. Just as a well-written novel can transport us to another world, I Love Lucy can take us to a place where life may not have been easier, but it certainly was more entertaining.

I Love Lucy…