During the filming in 1952, Lucy became pregnant and the regulations were put in place to use the word “expecting, not “pregnant.” So a minister, priest and rabbi (no joke intended) went through and reviewed each and every episode in order to ensure no viewers were offended by the pregnancy.
William Frawley and Vivian Vance, who played Fred and Ethel, were more than two decades apart in age in real life and that disparity caused some real friction on set. Reportedly, they didn’t get along and would constantly call one another names. It wasn’t until years after the show went off the air that their costars realized the tension they were around every day.
After Lucille Ball gave birth to their son, Arnaz wanted to give his wife a chance to rest at home without having to film the next episode. So he somehow convinced the network to basically air previous episodes again. Henceforth, the TV rerun was born and has since been a staple in the industry.
When Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz divorced in the early sixties, she assumed control of Desilu and became the first woman to run a major television studio singlehandedly. She proved successful, turning numerous hit shows, and eventually selling the studio for millions of dollars.
When Ball first began acting, she thought a name that sounded famous would help her take on new Broadway roles. She chose the name Diana Belmont, after the famous Belmont Stakes racetrack on Long Island, New York.