It mght have lasted six years on the air, but it wouldn't be remembered with the same admiration and fondness. No way. Remember that without Desi taking part as an actor he probably would have been touring, and therefore not involved in the other respects as well, which would likely mean not such clean, clear copies of the shows to re-broadcast, probably not the ground breaking three-camera-shooting process, maybe not a live audience, little or no music - it would have been just another show, which just happened to have a particularly talented female lead. Not the great show it was with Desi on board. Also, no Fred and Ethel. Maybe no Max Factor makeup, which helped to make the show look better compared to others of the time. Great jokes, perhaps, but not that great chemistry. No zing.
