‘I Love Lucy’: 20+ behind the scenes facts and stories from the set

Mother came to watch

You may have noticed a distinctive “uh-oh” sound coming from the audience whenever Lucy got into one of her eccentric adve­ntures. This signature response, closely associated with the TV show, was actually voice­d by Lucille Ball’s own mother. Dede­ Ball would often be in the audience during production and would contribute these utterances. 

Having her mother’s encouraging presence in the audience brought joy to Lucille­ Ball and served as a continuous source of motivation throughout her career.

Lucille wanted all the fame to herself

Towards the conclusion of the sitcom, Ball and Vivian Vance developed a strong and enduring friendship, but their relationship had a less-than-promising start. Initially, Lucille was hesitant to co-star alongside another talented actress. Consequently, it was rumored that she frequently insisted on less flattering makeup and costumes for Ethel Mertz. Additionally, the role called for Ethel to gain some weight. 

Fortunately, the animosity between them dissolved after three years of working together, transforming former rivals into genuine friends.