Was Ricky Justified in Not Allowing Lucy to be Part of the Show?

[dougiezerts]

Or was he just a control freak who felt that she should be a meak wife and let him be the bread winner?
My vote is for the latter!
Of course, the show was a part of the time, so I guess we should cut it some slack.

[Dianne3]

I accept it that it was part of the time.

However, I really think that type of thinking will prevent the younger generation to whom Lucille Ball is not a household name into liking the show.

[dougiezerts]

Originally Posted by Dianne3

I accept it that it was part of the time.

However, I really think that type of thinking will prevent the younger generation to whom Lucille Ball is not a household name into liking the show.

Yes, most especially women!

[missy's pop pop]

"I Love Lucy" was a product of and a reflection of 1950s thinking. In short, the man brought home the bacon and the woman cooked it up in a pan. That was the way it was for many couples in the '50s. (My own dad said he'd quit work if Mom ever worked outside the home!)

Having said that, that was the framework upon which the show hung. Time after time, Lucy challenged that idea. Most of the time it bombed, but on several occasions, Lucy did so well that the people she impressed wanted her to start that long-dreamed-for career. Note that virtually every time, however, she chose not to...and that was the fun of "I Love Lucy." She did wacky things and made them seem like they could happen to any couple! In a way, Lucy was actually the first feminist comedy, but it sure didn't look like one!

[dougiezerts]

Ironically, Lucille Ball was the head of a multi-million $ orginazation--Desilou. Pretty good for a 1950's working girl!

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by dougiezerts

Ironically, Lucille Ball was the head of a multi-million $ orginazation--Desilou. Pretty good for a 1950's working girl!

Um, Desilu. Unless her name was Loucille.

[OH Nuts!]

Well Lucy the character wasn't talented. But Lucille Ball of course was mega-talented. That's why Lucy Ricardo's hair-brained attempts at breaking into show biz came across as outrageously funny and not as leaden fiascos. Only a genius at physical comedy could pull that off, which Lucille Ball was to a t.

So in terms of the show Ricky's attitude made sense. And what made this story line so special, was knowing (and seeing!) that Miss Ball was the antithesis of the minimally talented and wacky character she played.

[Marvo301]

You have to remember that not only was Ricky Ricardo from another time he was also from another culture. And in latin culture the wife is expected to stay home and take care of the houshold and raise the children. So it came naturally for Ricky to expect that of Lucy.

[dougiezerts]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

You have to remember that not only was Ricky Ricardo from another time he was also from another culture. And in latin culture the wife is expected to stay home and take care of the houshold and raise the children. So it came naturally for Ricky to expect that of Lucy.

Yes, that's a good point.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

You have to remember that not only was Ricky Ricardo from another time he was also from another culture. And in latin culture the wife is expected to stay home and take care of the houshold and raise the children. So it came naturally for Ricky to expect that of Lucy.

This is true too, but if Lucy Ricardo was truly talented, he would have relented. Lucy could have convinced him it was a way to stay even closer - and with the $ they could have hired help for the house and Little Ricky.

[mets82]

I think Lucy Ricardo, the character, wasnt talented which is why she wasnt part of the show. Her singing, or lack thereof, was enough alone not to put her in the show.

[MacLeaper]

I think Lucy Ricardo, the character, wasnt talented which is why she wasnt part of the show. Her singing, or lack thereof, was enough alone not to put her in the show.

I agree. I think it was Lucy's lack of singing talents more than anything that was the reason that Ricky kept her out of the show. (But to be fair, he also allowed her to stay in the show on some occasions as well.)

[Dianne3]

I have a question for all you ILL experts.

In a very early episode (6?) Lucy does get a job. She replaces a clown in an act and is good at it.The episode ends without Lucy saying whether or not she will take the job. Of course, then it's never mentioned again.
And for most of the rest of season 1, almost every 2nd or 3rd episode was about Lucy wanting to be in the show.

So what happened? By guess is that so early in the series, Desi or Lucy weren't paying attention to continuity.
Also, in episode 3 the Mertzes had a dog only for that 1 episode where Lucy was trying to lose weight. By season 6, the Mertzes didn't allow dogs in their building.

[mets82]

I remember that episode with the dog. Are you sure it was there dog? I thought they were dog sitting for a friend of theirs?

[John Smith XXI]

Originally Posted by Dianne3

I have a question for all you ILL experts.

In a very early episode (6?) Lucy does get a job. She replaces a clown in an act and is good at it.The episode ends without Lucy saying whether or not she will take the job. Of course, then it's never mentioned again.
And for most of the rest of season 1, almost every 2nd or 3rd episode was about Lucy wanting to be in the show.

So what happened? By guess is that so early in the series, Desi or Lucy weren't paying attention to continuity.
Also, in episode 3 the Mertzes had a dog only for that 1 episode where Lucy was trying to lose weight. By season 6, the Mertzes didn't allow dogs in their building.

In episode 6 "The Audition," Ricky hopes to get a job from some men who will be in the audience that night. Lucy fills in for an injured clown, and is offered a job instead of Ricky. At the end, she apologises to Ricky, and says she doesn't want to job.