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any and every joke anything for a laugh. As a result of her silly, carefree attitude Lucille landed mostly small roles in films. This prompted her to get out of yet another contract and try her hand at a radio show.

"My Favorite Husband" first hit the airwaves in 1948. The show featured a bank executive and his fanatical wife, played by Ball. The CBS radio show was on the air for over 2 years when the decision was made to bring it to television. Ball loved the idea, but had a few changed in mind, primarily altering the character of her husband. Ball hoped to include Desi Arnaz; her husband in real life, with whom she had recently began Desilu Studios. She hoped for Desi to portray a struggling bandleader, while she would play his wacky, ambitious wife. However, executives did not think that the American public would perceive Desi and Lucy as a believable couple. Ball and Arnaz fought for what they believed in. Eventually, they won their fight and America was introduced to the Ricardo's.

"I Love Lucy" aired for only 6 years, yet has provided millions of laughs for viewer everywhere for over half a century thanks to the lovely world of syndication. Lucy's never-ending desire to be in Ricky's shows at the Tropicana, the nightclub where his band played, and Ricky's distress that she may never let up, provided a multitude of comic plots. Lucy's famous schemes and her ability to drag Ether into them regardless of any previous repercussions, along with the infamous "Waaaahhhh" and pus on Ricky's attempt at speaking the English language made for hilarious television. Episodes such as "Lucy does a TV Commercial" and "Job Switching" (my two personal favorites) live on today in syndication, allowing generation after generation to catch a glimpse of the comic genius.

After "I Love Lucy's" final episode in 1957, Lucille and Desi began a new series, "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour." The Hour-long episodes included many famous guest spots. Yet, the program aired only 13 episodes, ending as the marriage of Ball and Arnaz did as well in 1960. This marked the end of the Ricardo's and the Marts. Ball however, had found her niche in situation comedies and continued with a new program entitled, "The Lucy Show."

Ball remained true to what had previously won her so much fame when starring in "The Lucy Show." Because of this, Vivian Vance returned as Lucy's best friend, now named Vivian Bagley, and assisted Lucy's Character, Lucy Carmichael, in all of her hair-brained schemes. Gale Gordon,

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