By now, we are all familiar with the talented funny lady Lucille Ball. Her hilarious antics on I Love Lucy will continue to entertain generations of TV viewers as long as there's a screen to show her on. Though it was obviously filmed in the 1950s, the appeal of Ball and husband Desi Arnaz's incredible chemistry will always be timeless. Watching as Lucy constantly works herself into zany situations and her attempts to break into show business despite Ricky's disapproval puts the biggest a smile on my face!
But as popular as the show became, the famous couple had to work hard to sell the idea to TV executives before it could premiere in 1951. Though both Ball and Arnaz had found mild fame, her with a radio show called My Favorite Husband and Arnaz with his music, no one could know how big they were about to become once the show went on air. To convince the studio they were worth taking a chance on, Ball and Arnaz hit the road in 1950 to perform in a traveling stage show. Of course, it totally paid off!
You can see a lot of the same skits and sketches from that stage show in many episodes during the show's first season. In this clip, they perform their "Cuban Pete/Sally Sweet" routine. Earlier in the episode, Lucy comes to the shocking realization that she is 12 pounds heavier than she thought. She has Ethel help whip her into shape, specifically so she can fit into a dress for Ricky's act.
Take a look to see the shock on Ricky's face! And be sure to SHARE with your friends!
