Lucille Ball’s mother became a laugh-track fixture.
In most episodes, just like Lucy is intending to enter into a hairy situation, a part of the market could be read anxiously saying “Uh-oh!” That is Ball ‘s very own mother, Dede, whom went to each taping! The distinctive laugh of her has reportedly been recycled through the years. During a May 1983 interview with David Letterman, Arnaz confirmed the rumor: “Some of the laughter of ours I pick up in various other shows … Sometimes you find the regulars and also you are able to identify the identical laughter. Effectively, Lucille’s mom, you could not miss her laugh.”
The cast smoked real cigarettes on air.
Philip Morris was obviously a significant sponsor of the show, re upping the contract of theirs in 1953 for a then whopping eight dolars million. Through the series’ run, which sponsorship incorporated animated ads, in character product placement and even live action commercials, in that Arnaz and Ball will tout the “benefits” of picking Philip Morris (no cigarette hangover!). The sole issue? Ball preferred Chesterfield cigarettes, therefore she will sneak them into scenes in a Philip Morris pack.
Spiritual leaders gave their blessing to the pregnancy plot.
A rabbi, a priest and a minister walked right into a writer ‘s room … which was the sole means CBS, the Blow Advertising Agency and Philip Morris Cigarettes would agree to sign off on any baby related scripts. They demanded the religious leaders to talk to on plots to make audiences that are sure would not be offended; the show never ever used the term “pregnant,” opting instead for euphemisms as “with child” plus “expecting.” Episode titles have been an alternative story: The episode where Lucy reveals the pregnancy of her is called “Lucy Is actually Enceinte,” swapping in the French translation, even though the following week’s show went slightly bolder with “Pregnant Women Actually are Unpredictable.”
