Happy 100th Birthday Lucille Ball

[Honeybee]

So, today, Lucille Ball would have been 100.

As most trekkies know, she and Desi's studio, Desilu, produced Star Trek. She didn't get it and said so, but she made the show possible.

She also:

1) Proved women can be sexy and funny
2) Made marriage look fun. It was called "I Love Lucy" with satin sheets crumpling in the credits.
3) Showed a Cuban-American married to a Caucasian American in the 1950s
4) Invented the modern sitcom
5) Became a mogul in a time when women weren't supposed to do that

The show is still funny and romantic today. In an era when women housewives were often showed as perfect homemakers, Ricky loved Lucy because she wasn't perfect and added adventure to his life.

So many classic moments, but I always remember the little moments when he would get irritated and then she'd get sheepish and then they'd make up.

[creek_chub]

Don't forget that she didn't go into hiding when she became pregnant. If I recall correctly, her decision to continue appearing on the show while she was pregnant (as well as writing it into the show) caused quite a stir.

[Honeybee]

It sure did. Remember, that was when married couples couldn't be seen in the same bed because it implied you did more than sleep.

They network never let them use the word pregnant on the air, but they could say she was "expecting". Turns out, the episode when she gave birth was one of television's first huge events. The audience loved it.

And while they could never been seen in bed, the credits showed their names over crumbled satin sheets! I guess the censors missed that implication.

And not only was it radical at the time to have an American married to a Cuban, their cultural differences were played for humor without being exploited for either. He loved her American-ness and she loved his Cuban-ness. The network tried to stop little touches like her cooking cuban food for him, but they did it anyway.

[Glory1863]

Wanna watch? It's available here. Something like 100 episodes starting at 11 p.m. CDT last night. Memorable Entertainment Television affiliates are available here. I'm looking forward to the one where she's boxing up chocolate candy off the conveyor belt .

[Reanok]

Lucy was a very smart clever and funny lady I liked I love lucy and her movie she starred with Desi the Long Long trailer has some really funny scenes in it.who could forget that she helped sponsor series like Mission Impossible and Sta rtrek.

[Misplaced]

Lucille Ball was a brilliant entertainer, and she was an inspiration for me when I was still involved in performance arts. I think even now, when I write comedy, her influence is felt in my work.

[Honeybee]

Every now and then, there's the ridiculous idea that women aren't funny starts getting bandied about. And I think, hello, Lucy? She was one of the greatest comedians of all time - and she did develop her persona and help with the writing. The other canard is that you have to be ugly or mannish to be funny. And then I think, of Lucy.

Before Lucy, there was a whole generation of women who did screwball comedy - Carole Lombard, Thelma Todd and even Katherine Hepburn did some of that. Then there was Judy Holiday. Marilyn Monroe starred in some of the funniest movies of all time - think "Some Like it Hot". There's also Gracie Allen. And Gilda Radner.

Now, we're lucky to have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Women have always been funny, and Lucy is an iconic example.

[EntAllat]

Lucille Ball is one of my all time favorite people. A legend, a pioneer and an amazing person. I love the story about how she watched the Dick Van Dyke show filming over one of the dividing walls and told Mary Tyler Moore - an unknown at the time - that she had talent.

[paulinem]

Lucille Ball was my idle growing up! An extraordinary woman!

[Kathy Rose]

I think the highest tribute I can give Lucy is that I can sit and watch her show -- how long ago was it first aired? -- and still be truly entertained. Yes, it was set in the time period it was made, but the comedy still rings true today and hasn't grown old.

(I agree, Mr Smith -- the chocolate candy episode was one of the best!)