Lucy and Ricky, an Interracial Couple? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dawsongirl · 10-20-2001, 11:56 AM

During one of their little 30 second interview clips during the marathon, TV Land asked (I think) Bob and Madelyn about Lucy and Ricky being an interracial couple. Now, I know all about the network not believing Lucy would be married to a Cuban and the tour her and Desi went on to prove those morons wrong, but as I was sitting there watching, I thought to myself, "I've never looked at Lucy and Ricky as an interracial couple." I guess when I think interracial, I think more of Black and White, or Asian and White, something like that. There are so many Americans that came from Western European and Latin backgrounds that I guess I don't see them so much as a different race, just different nationality. So what do you guys think? I'm not racist, honest, I just wondered if anyone thought the way I did.

CherryBombK · 10-20-2001, 02:28 PM

No, I never thought of them as an interracial couple. My b/f is part Mexican and has a Mexican last name, does that make us an interracial couple? LOL

------------------
~*~Kristin~*~

"Love yourself first, and everything will fall into line." - Lucille Ball

"When I came to this country we didn't have a cent in our pockets. From cleanin' canary cages to this night here in New York, I would like to say Thank you America, Thank you." -Desi Arnaz

"Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here" -Pink Floyd, "Wish You Were Here"

DarleneIllyria · 10-20-2001, 04:18 PM

I didn't think of them as an interracial couple either. They are two people that looked so good together.

------------------
Hottest Men alive:
Dale Midkiff
Anthony Starke
Tim McGraw
Jonathan Crombie

Lumpy: Did you go out for anything, Dud?

Dudley: Well, I went out for football, but I got my finger stepped on, so my mother made me quit.

Eddie: Well listen-- I went out for basketball and I got my hair pulled, and my mother made ME quit.

Dudley: It's not that I was afraid of getting hurt or anything; it's just that-- well, it's kind o' hard to play the flute with a busted finger.

[Eddie and Lumpy suppress laughter]

Dale Midkiff is my man!

melluvslucy · 10-20-2001, 08:34 PM

Funny you mention that. I never thought of them as interracial either.

[This message has been edited by melluvslucy (edited 10-20-2001).]

Jimbo · 10-26-2001, 09:43 PM

Dawsongirl: No need to apologize. there is anything racist about the question you raised. I know that when Lucy and Desi first approach CBS about airing the program, the network liked the concept, but thought that somebody else should be cast as Lucy's husband. As you pointed out, the network thought nobody would believe she could be married to a Cuban band leader. Apparently, they were the only ones who thought that way! I can't recall anyone I've ever known giving a second thought to the fact that Desi was Cuban. Of the four main characters, he was always portrayed as the brightest and most sensible of the group. The show worked because it was well-written, and very funny. The viewing public did not care about the ethnic background of anyone in the cast.

NCVARick · 10-27-2001, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
During one of their little 30 second interview clips during the marathon, TV Land asked (I think) Bob and Madelyn about Lucy and Ricky being an interracial couple. Now, I know all about the network not believing Lucy would be married to a Cuban and the tour her and Desi went on to prove those morons wrong, but as I was sitting there watching, I thought to myself, "I've never looked at Lucy and Ricky as an interracial couple." I guess when I think interracial, I think more of Black and White, or Asian and White, something like that. There are so many Americans that came from Western European and Latin backgrounds that I guess I don't see them so much as a different race, just different nationality. So what do you guys think? I'm not racist, honest, I just wondered if anyone thought the way I did.

NCVARick · 10-27-2001, 07:59 PM

You are correct. Lucy and Desi were not of different races; both were Caucasian. The Caucasian race is composed of natives from regions as diverse as Western Europe, India, North Africa, and all areas in between. Within the Caucasian race, however, there are various subraces, such as the Mediterranean subrace that includes Spain and Italy, among other countries, of which Desi was a part. While Lucy and Desi were of different *subraces*, they were still both Caucasian. How do I know this? My brother is totally into the study of race. He can tell you exactly why dark skinned peoples, such as Indians and Pakistanis, are classified as Caucasians. Contrary to what many people think, the Caucasian race is not defined by skin color, but other physical characteristics and measurements.

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
During one of their little 30 second interview clips during the marathon, TV Land asked (I think) Bob and Madelyn about Lucy and Ricky being an interracial couple. Now, I know all about the network not believing Lucy would be married to a Cuban and the tour her and Desi went on to prove those morons wrong, but as I was sitting there watching, I thought to myself, "I've never looked at Lucy and Ricky as an interracial couple." I guess when I think interracial, I think more of Black and White, or Asian and White, something like that. There are so many Americans that came from Western European and Latin backgrounds that I guess I don't see them so much as a different race, just different nationality. So what do you guys think? I'm not racist, honest, I just wondered if anyone thought the way I did.

dawsongirl · 10-30-2001, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NCVARick:
You are correct. Lucy and Desi were not of different races; both were Caucasian. The Caucasian race is composed of natives from regions as diverse as Western Europe, India, North Africa, and all areas in between. Within the Caucasian race, however, there are various subraces, such as the Mediterranean subrace that includes Spain and Italy, among other countries, of which Desi was a part. While Lucy and Desi were of different *subraces*, they were still both Caucasian. How do I know this? My brother is totally into the study of race. He can tell you exactly why dark skinned peoples, such as Indians and Pakistanis, are classified as Caucasians. Contrary to what many people think, the Caucasian race is not defined by skin color, but other physical characteristics and measurements.

That's very interesting; I didn't know that. Thanks for the info!

NCVARick · 10-31-2001, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dawsongirl:
That's very interesting; I didn't know that. Thanks for the info!

I didn't know it either until my brother set me straight!

10-20-2001, 11:56 AM	#1
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Lucy and Ricky, an Interracial Couple? During one of their little 30 second interview clips during the marathon, TV Land asked (I think) Bob and Madelyn about Lucy and Ricky being an interracial couple. Now, I know all about the network not believing Lucy would be married to a Cuban and the tour her and Desi went on to prove those morons wrong, but as I was sitting there watching, I thought to myself, "I've never looked at Lucy and Ricky as an interracial couple." I guess when I think interracial, I think more of Black and White, or Asian and White, something like that. There are so many Americans that came from Western European and Latin backgrounds that I guess I don't see them so much as a different race, just different nationality. So what do you guys think? I'm not racist, honest, I just wondered if anyone thought the way I did.

10-20-2001, 02:28 PM	#2
CherryBombK Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2001 Posts: 100	No, I never thought of them as an interracial couple. My b/f is part Mexican and has a Mexican last name, does that make us an interracial couple? LOL ------------------ ~~Kristin~~ "Love yourself first, and everything will fall into line." - Lucille Ball "When I came to this country we didn't have a cent in our pockets. From cleanin' canary cages to this night here in New York, I would like to say Thank you America, Thank you." -Desi Arnaz "Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here" -Pink Floyd, "Wish You Were Here"

10-20-2001, 04:18 PM	#3
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	I didn't think of them as an interracial couple either. They are two people that looked so good together. ------------------ Hottest Men alive: Dale Midkiff Anthony Starke Tim McGraw Jonathan Crombie Lumpy: Did you go out for anything, Dud? Dudley: Well, I went out for football, but I got my finger stepped on, so my mother made me quit. Eddie: Well listen-- I went out for basketball and I got my hair pulled, and my mother made ME quit. Dudley: It's not that I was afraid of getting hurt or anything; it's just that-- well, it's kind o' hard to play the flute with a busted finger. [Eddie and Lumpy suppress laughter] Dale Midkiff is my man!

10-20-2001, 08:34 PM	#4
melluvslucy My future lies in CA Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 27, 2001 Location: In the room with many mirrors, LOL! Posts: 110	Funny you mention that. I never thought of them as interracial either. [This message has been edited by melluvslucy (edited 10-20-2001).]

10-26-2001, 09:43 PM	#5
Jimbo Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2001 Location: United States of America-One Nation UNDER GOD! Posts: 471	Dawsongirl: No need to apologize. there is anything racist about the question you raised. I know that when Lucy and Desi first approach CBS about airing the program, the network liked the concept, but thought that somebody else should be cast as Lucy's husband. As you pointed out, the network thought nobody would believe she could be married to a Cuban band leader. Apparently, they were the only ones who thought that way! I can't recall anyone I've ever known giving a second thought to the fact that Desi was Cuban. Of the four main characters, he was always portrayed as the brightest and most sensible of the group. The show worked because it was well-written, and very funny. The viewing public did not care about the ethnic background of anyone in the cast.