A typical I Love Lucy episode involves one of Lucy's ambitious
but hare-brained schemes, whether it be to sneak into
Ricky's nightclub act, find a way to associate with celebrities,
show up her fellow woman's club members, or simply try
to better her life, usually she ends up in some comedic
mess, often dragging in Ethel as her reluctant companion.
"Lucy! You got some 'splainin' to do!" became
a famous cry of Ricky Ricardo. "It's so tasty, too!"
At the time, most television shows were shot in New York
City, and a low-quality 16mm kinescope print was made
of the show. But Ball was pregnant at the time, and she
and Arnaz therefore insisted on filming the show in Hollywood,
California. The duo, along with co-creator Jess Oppenheimer,
then decided to shoot the show on 35 mm film in front
of a live studio audience, with three cameras (this technical
innovation is now standard for sitcoms).
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