ReallyTrivial "I Love Lucy" Facts Quiz

Answer: "My Favorite Husband"

Prior to "I Love Lucy," Lucille Ball starred in a radio sitcom, "My Favorite Husband," where she played the wife of a bank vice president. The episodes were written by the same writers who eventually wrote "I Love Lucy" and in fact, quite a number of "I Love Lucy" scripts were based on "My Favorite Husband" episodes.

Answer: Lucille Ball refused to do the TV version unless Desi Arnaz (her husband) played her husband on the series

Lucille Ball flat-out refused to do the TV version unless Desi Arnaz played her husband. The CBS executives refused; stating nice American girls didn't marry Latins, and the TV transfer for the radio show was placed on the back burner.

Answer: They formed a vaudeville act

The Arnazes formed a vaudeville act and played the road. Essentially, Desi Arnaz and his orchestra played with a special guest star, the wacky "Professor" as played by Lucille Ball. The act was a big hit with critics and audiences alike.

Answer: There were no Fred and Ethel Mertz characters

The pilot did not contain the Mertzes. At that time, it was planned that the only recurring role beside The Ricardos would be Ricky's agent, Jerry, played by Jerry Hausner.

Answer: Gale Gordon

The first choice for Fred Mertz was Gale Gordon, who had worked with Lucille Ball on her radio series. However, he wanted too much money. He would, however, make two appearances on "I Love Lucy" as Mr. Littlefield, the owner of the Tropicana nightclub and Ricky's boss.

William Frawley was in fact the dark horse candidate for the role. One of the reasons why he won the role is because he was a well known character actor in movies and therefore familiar to audiences.

Answer: Bea Benaderet

Bea Benaderet, who had co-starred on Lucille Ball's radios series, was unavailable because she was performing on TV's "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show." Lucille Ball's friends Barbara Pepper and Mary Wickes were also considered for the role. Vivian Vance was cast as Ethel because she was suggested by her friend Marc Daniels, who directed "I Love Lucy" during its first season.

Answer: "Lucy Does The Tango"

The bit, with Lucy doing the tango with eggs in her blouse, recorded the largest prolonged laugh on the show--sixty-five seconds.

"Job Switching" was Lucy and Ethel keeping up with the candy conveyor belt; "Lucy's Italian Movie" was Lucy stomping on grapes; "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" was Lucy getting drunk on the alcoholic tonic while rehearsing a TV Commercial.

Answer: The title was never revealed

Although Ricky went out Hollywood to make "Don Juan," that film project was canceled. (In the episode "Don Juan is Shelved," originally broadcast on February 10, 1955.) Although it is stated Ricky will be in another project, the name of the movie is never revealed.

Interestingly, Ricky was also supposed to go to Hollywood to star in a movie in the hour-long episode "Lucy Makes Room for Danny," but that project was canceled as well! Hmm...

Answer: The TV sponsor wouldn't allow use of the word "Lucky"

Philip Morris Tobacco, the sponsor of "I Love Lucy," forbade the writers from using the word "lucky," due to the fact that one of the cigarettes they competed with was the "Lucky Strike."

Answer: eleven

Frank Nelson appeared on "I Love Lucy" eleven times, and had worked with Lucille Ball on her radio series. (Elizabeth Patterson, who played Mrs. Trumbull, was also on the series eleven times.) Some of his more memorable roles on the show were quizmaster Freddie Fillmore, the train conductor "The Great Train Robbery," and neighbor Ralph Ramsey in Connecticut.