pop cultured

Lucille Ball was best known for her role as Lucy Ricardo, a wacky redheaded housewife in the beloved 1950’s sitcom, I Love Lucy, but she actually starred in several other comedy shows after her divorce from real-life hubby Desi Arnaz in 1960. One of her most popular shows, The Lucy Show, ran from 1962 to 1968.

Ball played Lucille Carmichael, a widowed mom of two. Vivian Vance, her pal Ethel Mertz from her I Love Lucy Days, played Vivian Bagley, a divorcee with one son. The two pals shared a house and raised their children together. This was a very forward thinking show at the time—way before Kate & Allie hit the airwaves!

 At first it was a little odd to see Lucy without her dashing Cuban husband by her side, but fans quickly warmed up to the series. Ball once again proved that he was a genius comedic actress. Supporting cast included the prolific character actor Charles Lane, who played Lucy’s banker, Mr. Barnsdahl, during the first 2 seasons (Lucy’s character had been left a sizeable trust fund from her husband). By the third season, Lane was replaced with Ball’s good friend, Gale Gordon, as Mr. Mooney.

The show was criticized for some of the over-the-top jams Lucy often found herself in—and even Vivian Vance left the show in 1965. And while The Lucy Show went through several incarnations, it was still another chance for viewers to see the great Lucille Ball do her stuff!

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