For 'Lucy,' it really did begin and end with love

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 11,1954: (L-R) CBS program chief Harry Ackerman with "I Love Lucy" co-stars Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and Vivian Vance pose at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 6th Emmy Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium on February 11, 1954 in Hollywood, California. (TVA/PictureGroup) (Photo by TVA/PictureGroup/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)
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One of the best sitcoms of all time, “I Love Lucy” premiered in 1951 and through six seasons was nominated for 20 Emmys, taking home the prize for best situation comedy in 1953 and again the following year. The beloved series is still syndicated around the world. Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, believes the show’s popularity has lasted as long as it has because it’s about unconditional love. “The last 20 years, I have been able to put my finger on why the series has done so well, and yes, of course, it’s hilarious, the structure of the comedy makes you believe that this can actually happen. Then there’s my mother’s and father’s ability to play it straight. But most importantly, at the end of the day, Lucy Ricardo is a little kid who gets into tons of trouble, and someone still says, ‘I love you.’”

Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz play a husband-and -wife team on CBS-TV's domestic comedy series, "I Love Lucy."
Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz play a husband-and -wife team on CBS-TV's domestic comedy series, "I Love Lucy." (Bettmann Archive)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.