From all indications the approaching birth of Lucille Ball's
child, both in real life and in the script of "I Love Lucy,"
has engendered as much public interest as anything since
the days when the world stood still every evening to hear
"Amos 'n' Andy" on the radio.

The climax, of course, is scheduled for next Monday when
Miss Ball goes to the hospital for a Caesarean operation and
presents her husband, Desi Arnaz, with either a boy or girl.
On the screen that same night the installment of "I Love Lucy,"
already made on film, will report "Lucy Ricardo" giving birth
to a boy. Presumably interest will be running high whether the
Arnaz correctly anticipated the sex of their real life offspring.

The deliberate parallel between the lives of the off-stage Lucille
and the on-stage Lucy undoubtedly is unique in theatre annals
for a number of reasons. First, it hardly would be possible
without television and, second, the matter of approaching
motherhood, although one of the oldest themes for the
dramatist, seldom has been treated with the light touch.

It is not revealing any great secret that both the Columbia
Broadcasting System and the Phillip Morris Company,
sponsor of "I Love Lucy," have received letters from a
number of viewers who for several reasons have taken
exception to the subject of pregnancy as the main point
of interest for a comedy series.

As the matter has been handled on the screen in the
current episodes of "I Love Lucy," however, there seems
no grounds for valid objection. Rather, there should be
applause. Miss Ball and Mr. Arnaz not only have handled
the topic of their approaching baby with a great deal of
taste and skill but also have been thoroughly amusing in
the process.

Far from ridiculing motherhood, "I Love Lucy" has made
it appear one of the most natural and normal things in the
world. The gaiety and humor which Lucy and Ricky have
conveyed have been warm and recognizable to everyone
who has lived through the exciting and confusing weeks
before a new member's arrival. In short, one of the
oldest and most familiar stories is being told with a
new brightness and charm. And why not?
That "I Love Lucy" as an item of theatre has not been hurt
by the introduction of the anticipated birth goes without
saying. One of the great drawbacks to the vast majority
of TV situation comedies is their brittleness and artificiality.
Since it is rooted in reality, "I Love Lucy" should be able
to go on and on. Viewers are going to have to raise that
child, aren't they?

Enjoying "I Love Lucy" does not preclude, however,
regretting the decision to schedule Miss Ball's Caesarean
operation so that it will coincide with the film narrative.
The only possible solution is that she and her husband
accepted not only the advice of an obstetrician but
also of a too enthusiastic Hollywood publicity expert.
If there's one thing the expected child does not need,
it's a press agent.

-END-

GO BACK TO LUCY MAIN PAGE ...

GO TO MY MAIN PAGE ...