Sometimes I wonder after all these years and documentaries...

Is Hollywood telling the truth? I grew up watching I love Lucy, and I've been watching different movies and informative shows about her and Desi Arnaz.

They said a lot of good things about Desi Arnaz (and many bad). The movies and online sources made out Desi to be the "savvy one". He negotiated deals that went very well. This might be true. But, what if Lucy is the one who gave him this confidence?

I watched her on "Behind the Ricardos", and my dad was right. Lol. "She was a bit**!" She seemed almost narcissistic. She took up for him like she was taking up for herself *in front of people that mattered*. Otherwise... who knows how she or he really felt about her opinion of Desi?

I wonder if she was a bit narcissistic, and he lived through her... and her "confidence".

Maybe not. 🤷‍♀️ She was definitely a B though. Lol.

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Carla · 61-69, F

Lucille Ball was a comedic genius. She made Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz.
And being assertive, confident, independent and intelligent, in her time, would certainly have gotten her many unflattering labels.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

@Carla Desi was fairly big as a band leader and Broadway performer before meeting Lucy. Reportedly he was quite creative in the production side of I LOVE LUCY (including creating thew now-standard three-camera technique of filming a show) and producing many other later shows.

Carla · 61-69, F

@ChipmunkErnie still...he would have always been just that if not for Ball.
I certainly did not say he was without talent.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

@Carla Probably -- but would Lucy have been "Lucy" without Desi, either? Would "My Favorite Husband" with Richard Denning as the spouse have been the hit that "I Love Lucy" was? Lucy was not a huge star at the time of "I Love Lucy" -- she was in her 40s during the TV series and has long been relegated to roles in B movies. To me it seems it was the unique combination of Lucy and Desi that made the show what it was and made her an icon.

Carla · 61-69, F

@ChipmunkErnie she was a beautiful and talented actress.
Unlike Crawford, Stanwyck, etc., she had a real and unique talent for comedy. She also had business acumen and drive. She would have shown regardless of who stood beside her.
And I'm sure Desi would have had a successful music career.

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@Carla "I certainly did not say he was without talent."

Lucy would never say that aloud. And, maybe she really believed it deep down.

I guess, she'll be the only one who knows. ❣

She really supported him... or herself. 😊 Or, them.

"I Love Lucy." ❤

And, Desi Arnaz and J. Edgar Hoover (the single phone call to Mr. Hoover) are the ones who saved her career! How about that? I guess, Desi owed her a favor or two. 🤷‍♀️