For those who were regular watchers of the show, the memory of someone yelling in awe every time Lucy got into one of her conundrums might come up.
That person yelling was Lucy’s mother, Desiree Ball, or DeDe Ball, as she was affectionately called. DeDe was there for the recording of every single ‘I Love Lucy’ episode.
A Real-Life Pregnancy Got More Viewers Than A Presidential Inauguration
Lucille was one of the first women to ever portray a real-life pregnancy on TV, and it was a sensation both on-screen and in real life. Actually, Lucille gave birth only 12 hours before her onscreen counterpart gave birth on the TV show!
The episode raked in a record-breaking audience of 44 million viewers, surpassing even Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration into the presidency, which brought 29 million.
CBS Network Didn't Allow the Word 'Pregnant'
Even though she not only said she was pregnant but wrote it into the show and brought a record-breaking number of viewers with it, but she did all this in a time where the network didn’t even allow her or the rest of the cast to say the word ‘pregnant’ on TV. Why? CBS considered the word to be too vulgar.
Not so shocking, since we are talking about a time where sex was extremely taboo, especially when it came to women.
The Lucille Ball Statue in New York
There was a life-size statue of Lucille Ball in Celoron, a village in the southwest corner of the state of New York. But it was called “Scary Lucy” by fans that, rightly so, thought the statue not only didn’t resemble Ball at all, but actually looked oddly creepy.
The issue was so discussed, that a Facebook page was even created advocating the removal or replacement of the statue. Even the mayor said he was on board. So, in 2016, a new sculptor made a new statue, that actually looks a lot like the beloved Lucy.
Her Daughter Almost Played Rizzo in 'Grease'
When ‘Grease’ came out in 1978, it became an instant cult classic, and the tough tomboy leader of the Pink ladies gang, Betty Rizzo, was forever etched in our mind as a symbol of feminine power and attitude. The person to immortalize this role was Stockard Channing, but it was almost Lucie Arnaz, Ball’s daughter, who snatched the honor.
Lucie was being considered for the part, but Lucille decided her daughter was too good to audition and she proceeded to call the movie’s producers to tell them just that. Apparently, Lucille’s charm didn’t work with the gentlemen, because they immediately decided on Channing.