Everybody Loves Lucy

Lucille Ballknew however big the star, TV was a writer’s medium. There was just no time for lots of takes to figure it out. Every gesture, every glance, and every step was written into the script — and that’s the way Lucy wanted it.

Gregg Oppenheimer, the son of creator, producer, and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, reads a bit of the stage direction from the classic episode “Lucy is Enceinte.” (Which is French for what may happen if you don’t use birth control.) Feel free to pantomime along:

We go behind the scenes of I Love Lucy this weekend — find out how to listen here.