Quite by accident, an email revealed the secret to a I Love Lucy mindset.
It’s a longer post than usual, but hang in there. It’s worth it.
The original black and white televised I Love Lucy show only ran from 1951 until 1957. Fifty-five years later in 2012 it was “voted as the best TV show of all time” in a survey by ABC News and People Magazine. When you think of all of television history, this is remarkable to remain in the minds of so many for so long.
The TV rumor is that I Love Lucy has never been off the air since it ended and is playing somewhere in the world everyday. The zany character and antics of Lucy Ricardo are classic comedy few have been able to imitate.
Many think of Lucille Ball as an early TV comedian. She had impectable comedic timing as you can see from her famous Vetameataveamin performance.
Few know that Lucille Ball was actually a major and powerful Hollywood studio executive.
For most of her early film career she was known as the Queen of the B actresses. Her big break as a major actress never happened. 
In 1940, she married Cuban band leader Desi Arnaz. Together they formed their own studio know as Desilu, which was something quite unheard of in those days. By 1948, CBS approach her about developing a TV idea from her radio show character as a wacky wife.
Lucy agreed on the condition the husband’s role be played by her real life husband Desi. The studio balked at the idea of Cuban and a redhead and thought the American public wouldn’t buy it. Desi and Lucy then created their own pilot episode under Desilu which was rejected outright by CBS.
I Love Lucy Mindset tip #1: When you believe in yourself and what you do, go for it
Lucy and Desi then took their pilot on the road as a vaudeville act to rave reviews. CBS quickly conceded.
Both Lucy and Desi wanted to remain and film their show in California, but CBS and sponsors didn’t want to pay the extra costs for filming and editing in order to meet early East Coast scheduling. When both agreed to take a pay-cut to cover filming costs on the condition CBS would relinquish the show rights to Desilu studios, CBS readily agreed.
By 1957, CBS realized their strategic error, bought the rights back for a million dollars and Lucy and Desi in turn used it to purchase the old RKO studios for Desilu productions.
I Love Lucy mindset #2: Know your audience and be yourself
In 1953, Lucy was expecting her second child and CBS was in an uproar over having her continue her TV role. After negotiations and input for religious leaders, she was allowed to continue filming, but the word “pregnant” had to be replaced with the word “expecting”.
Lucy’s pregnancy was closely followed by viewers and media, and she and Desi decided to write the event into the series. Media attention became very “hot” and even challenged the coverage of the campaign and election of Dwight D. Eisenhower as president.
The program featuring the TV birth was scheduled for broadcast the same day as Lucy’s own C-section delivery.
On January 19th 1953, 29 million TV viewers watched the swearing in ceremony for President Eisenhower, and 44 million watched Lucy Ricardo give birth to little Ricky.
I Love Lucy Mindset tip #3: Doors always close and new doors always open
In 1960 after Lucy and Desi finished their last episode of the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Lucy filed for divorce.
She was an equal partner had always been actively involved with Desilu. In 1962, Lucy bought out her ex-husbands rights at his request.
Lucille Ball was now the first woman to head and personally control a major television studio. Desilu continued with other TV mega hits of the time including Mission Impossible, The Untouchables and Star Trek. In 1967, Lucy sold Desilu to Paramount Pictures for 17 million dollars.
Lucy would remarry and have a devoted life partner, for 27 years, with Gary Morton. She also continued to perform in various Lucy character spin-off’s into the 1980’s.
I Love Lucy Mindset tip #4 Always give your best because you never know what your legacy will be
Lucy was nominated for 13 Emmy Awards and won four
1960 Lucy is given two stars on The Hollywood Walk of Fame – contribution to motion pictures and the other for her work in television
1977 The first to receive the first Women in Film Crystal Award
1979 Golden Globe Ceil B. DeMille Award
1986 The Lifetime Achievement Award , Kennedy Center Honors
1989 Governors Award, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Posthumously:
1989 the Presidential Medal of Freedom and The Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award
Time Magazine included her in their “100 Most Important People of the Century”
1990 a “Lucy Tribute” was created at Universal Studios in Florida
2001 honored with a commemorative stamp by the US Post Office
2001 inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
I Love Lucy Mindset tip #5 Your words will resonnate in emails long after your gone
“Luck? I don’t know anything about luck. I’ve never banked on it and I’m afraid of people who do.
Luck to me is something else: Hard work – and realizing what is opportunity and what isn’t.”
― Lucille Ball
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucille_Ball
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desilu_Productions
Thoughtful Mind Quote https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=nm#search/%22Lucille+Ball%22/151f2fa04378dc67
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As a role model she was way out of my league at the time. But her accomplishments could not be denied.
Comediennes, before everyone was a comedian, or just a comic, were some of the smartest women around. We should all study what they did and do. Thanks Joyce for this great piece.
I love these! The one that resonates with me is the open/closed doors comment. Always be aware that that there are opportunities out there and stay open to them. They just might be what you’ve been looking for!
So, true Jacki. It’s painful when a door closes, and we want things to be the way they were. But, if we are open to new opportunities we grow so much faster. We love Lucy the character, but we can admire Lucille Ball the woman.
I knew some of this, but the most astonishing thing is the point that she’s still considered one of the best tv personalities of all time. After a 1/2 century, it makes me wonder how much is a 1/2 century of blasé programming, and how much is that Lucy was so extraordinary she remains an outlier. In any event, its an inspiring article. Thank you.
I watched a few of her episodes on re-run but I have never been a fan of slapstick humor. However… I DO love your highlights of the ILL moments and seriously, thank you for sharing those (FYI – check out your widget sidebar, top, you have hanging code)
I love Lucy too. She is such an icon. And really love your 5 tips, stellar! I resonate with all of them. Great way to put a story around these reminders.
Thank YOU Joyce for my new found respect for Lucille Ball. Most of the information you’ve shared here, I was unaware of … until now 😉
Hi Trish,
We forget how actresses like Lucille Ball were so good at their craft that
it’s hard to think of them outside their character.
This is a wonderful tribute to the powerful and clever woman Lucille Ball was, Joyce. Her on-screen persona and her off-screen reality, were really quite different. There were many firsts she achieved as well, things we often take for granted in our modern world. Lucy was a trailblazer and a wonderful example for women of what is possible when you believe in yourself and stay on your own unique path. Enjoyed seeing how you married the lessons learned from Lucy, to things that are still important and relevant for us women, even today.
Hi Beverley,
Thanks and I appreciate the time you took to comment. Lucille Ball led such an amazing life. She gave us the gift of simple honest laughter. Thank goodness we can still watch the reruns.
Just love this, Joyce! Especially: ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOUR LEGACY WILL BE
So very true! I just had a reminder of this. A boy I helped raise is now a man, and just had his debut CD come out. On my copy he wrote: “Thank you for showing me that writing is beautiful.”
Of course, I wept. Twenty years later, you never know what seeds you planted will sprout into beautiful flowers . . .
Hi Susan,
Oh, you’re so right. No one thinks they will leave much, if any, of a legacy. But, we all have something to share, and we need to share it.
Wow, this is an awesome article. Not only is the concept smart but also it’s very relatable. Women today continue to struggle with equality, but we tend to forget how society was not that long ago. You point out the many challenges presented to women while highlighting Lucille Ball’s inspirational story. I had no idea of some of the facts and history you shared. Loved it!
Hi Meghan,
So glad you liked the post. I already knew a little about Lucy’s background. But, when that email quote came in I just had to find out more. Magically it all came together, and I’m very happy so many of you have commented.
What an inspiring woman Lucille Ball was and what a terrific example for women. I love this quote: Doors always close and new doors always open. It’s true and a person needs to believe that in order to keep moving on.
Hi Beth,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Now, when I watch any of the Lucy re-runs I see her in a whole new light.
Two things I love about this post. Firstly, have always loved I Love Lucy & there is a marathon every year we watch, plus many reruns. I can always count on a good belly laugh. Secondly, love the lessons learned & how they apply to today. Great analysis. Oh, make it 3 things I love about this post. So easy to read! Thanks
Hi Roslyn,
I’m happy that I’ve made you happy three times over.
Lucille Ball had some great quotes. I love sharing them on social media. I like this statement “KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE AND BE YOURSELF.” This also applies for social media sharing for small business owners. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.