THEN EITHER DESI OR LUCILLE BALLS. VIVIAN VANCE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL MARRIAGES, SEVERAL NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS AND DIED of BONE CANCER. IT'S TO BAD HER STORY IS EVER TALKED ABOUT. VIVIAN DID NOT WILLIAM FRAWLEY BECAUSE SHE RESENTED HIS AGE AND I BELIEVE HIS DRINKING. IN ANY THE CASE THIS FEUD BETWEEN VIV AND BILL HELPED TO DEFINE ETHEL AND FRED

Viv was definitely no Ethel Mertz in real life!

I've heard various stories about them, some say they hated each other, some say they liked each other, and some say they had a love-hate relationship.

for those of you who may not know there is a very good book on vivans life called the other side of ethel mertz its very interesting and informitve.

From my understanding at the very beginning, Viv and Bill had no problem with each other until Bill overheard her say something about his age and how he was old enough to be her father instead of her husband and she sounded very discusted by it. I think it just hurt his feelings and Bill would never admit that so he decided to treat her like crap, therefor she did the same. I think the writer's played on their hate for each other with all the put downs in the script and it worked out perfectly because they weren't acting. ;)

I love Vivian Vance! I thought she was slightly funnier than Lucy on I Love Lucy. Its so sad how she passed away.

I've read that Vivian enjoyed playing Vivian Bagley on "THE LUCY SHOW" a LOT more than playing Ethel Mertz on "I LOVE LUCY".

As a result of Viv's contract demands, "THE LUCY SHOW" allowed Viv to look a lot less frumpy, and even somewhat glamorous (but not too much so).....modern and flattering hairstyles and dresses, makeup, etc.

Plus, Vivian Bagley was feistier and stood up to Lucy more than Ethel did. Vivian Vance often said that the character of Vivian Bagley was much more like the real Vivian Vance than Ethel Mertz was.

Viv was definitely no Ethel Mertz in real life!

I can definately believe that.

Posted By:treky
I've heard various stories about them, some say they hated each other, some say they liked each other, and some say they had a love-hate relationship.

I heard the same. I always thought they absolutley hated each other. But got along for Lucy.

I have read several books on "I Love Lucy" and they all generally say the same thing: Vivian despised William and he despised her. He wouldn't call her by her name unless he had to. Other than that, he referred to her as the "B***H. Vivian stated alot of her therapy was due to having to work with "that old disgusting man".

I have read several books on "I Love Lucy" and they all generally say the same thing: Vivian despised William and he despised her. He wouldn't call her by her name unless he had to. Other than that, he referred to her as the "B***H. Vivian stated alot of her therapy was due to having to work with "that old disgusting man".


Vivian had mental problems way before 'that old disgusting man' came along. ;)

From my understanding at the very beginning, Viv and Bill had no problem with each other until Bill overheard her say something about his age and how he was old enough to be her father instead of her husband and she sounded very discusted by it. I think it just hurt his feelings and Bill would never admit that so he decided to treat her like crap, therefor she did the same. I think the writer's played on their hate for each other with all the put downs in the script and it worked out perfectly because they weren't acting. ;)
Desilu#1 That's how the feud got started. After he heard her say that it went downhill from there.

Vivian had mental problems way before 'that old disgusting man' came along. ;)
Yes I know that. I didn't post she went to therapy BECAUSE OF William, I posted, (Look again) she went to therapy because alot of her problems/issues dealt with having to work "with that disgusting old man". Vivian's words, not mine.

WOW! I have to get this book now! I didn't know all of this about Vivian!!! Very interesting!

There are so many books PIP, you should pick up a few. Lots of behind the scenes stuff. I had this ideal image of the cast of I LOVE LUCY when I was young and growing up. Then one day my older sister told me why Lucy and Desi divorced and I was soooo shocked!!! I decided to read up on them and the show and the books have alot of good reading.