By Maysam Najjar
Sana is a 56-year-old woman who grew up with I Love Lucy, and her recollection of her experience with the sitcom shines a light on the ways in which this show changed the game when it comes to representation in television.
I Love Lucy is a popular sitcom featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The first episode aired on October 15, 1951, however its popularity persisted well past this date.
For many, I Love Lucy acted as a respite from the realities of the world around them.
Sana moved out of her family home to be married at the age of 16 and had her first child at 19. The natural consequence of this was a lack of social networks and peers close to her age, and this show offered feelings of belonging and security in a way that television was only just beginning to do.
“I was young, I was still a teenager in my primary years,” Sana said. “I came here (to Australia) in 1977 and we used to put it on the TV and watch it with my brothers when we were young. I was more interested in it than them, but it was just what was on.”
Her face lit up as she reminisced on the characters and episodes.
“I like to watch funny things. When I watch happy things, it makes me more happy.”
I Love Lucy was able to give everyday life experiences a sense of whimsy, humour and comfort, and this struck a chord with many young women.
“The way of life, that’s what they were showing. Her husband is always telling her; why are you doing this, what are you cooking, why are you saying this,” Sana said. “You do relate to the lifestyle they had.”
Dynamics like this were common during the time. Women from all walks of life could be reassured by the fact that Lucy was also navigating through the struggles that come with marriage and maintaining a household.
In fact, one of Sana’s favourite episodes speaks to this idea of universality in experience.
“When she tried to make a loaf of bread and she put too much yeast, it got too big and filled the whole kitchen. She’s trying to cook and do things around the house but, sometimes in life, you have to learn. So you have to make mistakes.”
Lucy offered women solace in that they could still enjoy the circumstances they were given without making monumental changes or pushing too hard against boundaries.
And so I Love Lucy was able to persist, continuing to play on televisions across nations for decades after.
Featured image: Ricky (Desi Arnez) and Lucy (Lucille Ball) on a Pontiac promotional postcard. Photo: Alden Jewell/CC/flickr
