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| After performing in the musical "Too Many Girls," in 1940 with the popular Cuban band leader, Desi Arnaz, Ball fell in love with her co-star, and married him later that year. Band and career schedules clashed often, and the newlyweds often found themselves on opposite sides of the country. Lucy filed for divorce in 1944, but managed to patch things up just one day before the divorce was to be finalized. The young couple decided that the only way to make their marriage work was if they worked together on a project. Ball and Arnaz pitched an idea to CBS that would involve the unlikely marriage of a wild red head to a Cuban band leader. At first, CBS officials balked at the idea, claiming that the American public would never accept such a couple. So, the husband and wife team formed their own production company called "Desilu," and hit the road, taking their show idea and turning it into a popular and highly praised vaudeville act. When CBS still refused to consider the show, Ball and Arnaz used their own money to film the pilot episode of the show. "I Love Lucy" premiered in October of 1951, and instantly became the most popular television show in America. CBS picked it up before the show's thirty minute episode was over. "I Love Lucy" ran successfully for 6 years. The first four years on the air, "I Love Lucy" was number one in the Neilsen Ratings. During its entire history, the show never fell below number three. "I Love Lucy" won more than 200 awards, 5 Emmys and the respect and admiration of the country. In January of 1953, the "I Love Lucy" introduced an eyebrow raising episode in which Lucy gave birth on the air to "Little Ricky." Pregnant at the time with her real life daughter, Lucie, at the time, a record 44 million viewers tuned in to watch the live birth. Ball and Arnaz's coupling had been labeled tumultuous in the late 1950s, and after 179 episodes of the "I Love Lucy Show," they decided to call it quits to save their marriage. While they said goodbye to the old show, they began taping another, named "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour." The 60-minute show didn't need the time and attention of their previous works, and Arnaz and Ball once again seemed happy and in love. Arnaz spent less time in the recording studio with his band, and more at home, working with"Desilu." By the end of the 1950s, Desilu became a powerful, respected corporation, producing such hit TV shows as "Star Trek" and "Mission Impossible." After 20 years of marriage, Ball and Arnaz divorced in 1960. While Arnaz turned to alcohol and was rarely seen in public again, Ball took out a loan for $3 million and bought her ex-husbands half of Desilu. At the time, Desilu was the world's largest production facility and Lucy's take-over made her the first woman in history to hold such a position. |
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