And why?

Viv was a better actress than Lucy. Lucy on the other hand was the better comedienne.

Since Lucy was around Hollywood since the early thirties she had plenty of time to sharpen her skills by the 1950s. She was very good at taking direction, which shows on ILL. But she was not very good at directing herself, which IMO shows on her later shows. She was a good actress, she just didn't know her limitations.

Lucille Ball. b/c she did most of the stunts and stuff. She did most of the physical things. Vivian was with her at times, but it was mostly Lucy. And the way she performed the trouble she got into, you'd think that really could happen to somebody, but u kno it cant. I'm not tryin to say that Vivian wasnt a good actress, i think she was a great one! But, Lucy was better.

I think people tend to assume that, because someone has a heavy stage background, that automatically makes them a better actor. But I think that's nothing but some sort of snobbery within the acting profession that's not necessarily based in reality. And this is not to diminish Vivian Vance's acting at all. In fact, I think she was a most superb actress. I also think Lucille Ball was an equally superb actress. Vivian Vance didn't come into I Love Lucy with much comedy on her resume, but she was such a tremendous professional you'd never know it. And as for Lucille Ball, she was one of the hardest working actors ever in Hollywood. She knew what she didn't know and always made an effort to seek out people who could teach her, and put in every ounce of effort to learn. And then she worked, worked, worked. By the early 1940s, she had developed into a fine actress who was capable on taking on any role handed to her, whether comedic or dramatic, light or heavy, and turning in a convincing performance. If you've ever seen her in Stone Pillow or The Big Street, you know what I mean. Lucy and Vivian, IMO, were equals. Their roles on the show were very different and sort of comparing apples and oranges. But they were a perfect fit. If either of them were deficient in any way, we the viewers would know it. But after a few seconds of watching them play off each other as Lucy and Ethel, they quickly make us forget we're watching actors and have us believing in those characters, no matter how outrageous the situation. There are few other actors who could have pulled that off.

I'd say Lucy but Vivian was a fine actress too. But nobody - and I mean nobody - could top Lucy as a physical comedienne. True comedy may be different than acting but Lucy was fine as an actress. I guess, I just think that Lucy was more versatile than Vivian. But what a fine foil Viv was for the show. Hard to imagine anyone else as Ethel - although Bea Benedaret would have been great too (she was the first choice I believe but couldn't do it bec. of contractual obligations)

And why?
Lucy of course. I love Vivian to death - she's definitely the "Lucille Ball" of second leads in sitcoms but Lucy was just the greatest comedy actress America has ever seen in any format IMO - tv, movies, or stage.

I don't think you can look at those two actresses and say one is better than the other. They were both gifted in their abilities. I think what puts them on different levels was that Lucy was the "star" and a businesswoman. Vivian was the second banana. Vivian, however, has always been underestimated and relegated to Lucy's shadow in many ways. But both actresses were great.

Lucille Ball was better with physical comedy, but I personally like Vivian Vance's acting better. They are both superb and pretty equal, but I just slightly prefer Vivian more.

I would choose Lucy, definitely -- although I love Vivian tremendously. My feelings are summed up with this --

but Lucy was just the greatest comedy actress America has ever seen in any format IMO - tv, movies, or stage.

I don't think you can look at those two actresses and say one is better than the other. They were both gifted in their abilities. I think what puts them on different levels was that Lucy was the "star" and a businesswoman. Vivian was the second banana. Vivian, however, has always been underestimated and relegated to Lucy's shadow in many ways. But both actresses were great.

Agreed.

Lucy didn't have to deal with a mental illness, Viv did. And I'm the first to understand mental illness. Viv all the way.

Lucille Ball was a better actress than Vivian Vance.

Both were amazing, of course, but I think Vivian has a slight edge.