Happy National I Love Lucy Day! Observed annually on October 15, this day celebrates one of television’s all-time greatest shows: the American comedy television sitcom I Love Lucy (1951–57).
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) stars as the wacky, red-headed wife of Cuban bandleader Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz).
Living in an apartment in New York, Ricky tries to succeed in show business while Lucy -- always trying to help -- usually manages to get in some kind of trouble or scheme that drives Ricky crazy.
Their best friends are Fred and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance and William Frawley), who are also their landlords. Usually, Ethel becomes Lucy's less-than-willing partner in crime.
Ricky and Lucy welcomed little Ricky in 1953, whose birth was a national televised event.
Later in the show's run, the Ricardos (and the Mertzes) moved to Hollywood, where Ricky tried to become a movie star.
I Love Lucy made its debut on October 15, 1951. The program created a new television experience with the first filmed and scripted program performed before a live audience.
The studio literally knocked a hole in a concrete wall, creating room for theater seating and inviting the once-banned fans to see the stars perform – for free!
The new format and I Love Lucy eventually won five Emmy Awards and received numerous nominations as well.
In four of its six seasons, I Love Lucy was the most-watched television show in the United States. The sitcom was a world of television firsts. It even ended on a first.
The I Love Lucy show became the first program to end its run at the top of the Nielsen ratings.
On June 28, 1997, TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time selected two I Love Lucy episodes to appear on their list.
The first was "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (S01E30), airing on May 5, 1952. It ranked in at #2. The second was "Lucy's Italian Movie" (S05E23), airing on April 16, 1956. It ranked it at #18.
In 2002, TV Guide ranked I Love Lucy television’s second greatest show of all time.
In 2007, the show landed on TIME magazine’s “100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME” list.
On June 15, 2009, a revised list of TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time selected only one of an I Love Lucy episode. This was "Lucy Does a TV Commercial". This time, the episode ranked in at #4.
Sixty-nine years later, I Love Lucy is still enjoyed by millions even today.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Watch a marathon of I Love Lucy. Share your favorite Lucy antics and use #ILoveLucyDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this pop culture day.
I love Lucy. After all, who wouldn't?
What is your favorite episode(s)?
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