"I Love Lucy" is an iconic American television sitcom that first aired on CBS from October
15, 1951, to May 6, 1957.
This pioneering program, lasting for six seasons and a total of 180 episodes, introduced millions
of viewers to the humor and charm of Lucy Ricardo ( portrayed by Lucille Ball) and her
bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), along with their best friends and neighbors,
Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance).
The show was innovative for its time, employing techniques such as a multi-camera setup, live
audience, and even addressing the real-life pregnancy of Ball.
The influence of "I Love Lucy" on popular culture and the television landscape cannot
be overstated.
It helped shape the sitcom genre and was a crucial vehicle in the promotion of multiculturalism
on American television, with Ricky Ricardo being a Cuban-American character.
The show's comedic approach and Lucille Ball's slapstick comedy style became a template for
countless shows that followed.
In this kaleidoscope of talent, however, there was one player whose relationship with the
rest of the cast was less than harmonious.
Our attention now turns to this individual, a thorn in the otherwise flourishing garden
of "I Love Lucy".
This person's interactions with the rest of the cast were frequently filled with tension,
and his off-screen attitude was perceived as deeply problematic by many involved with
the show.
Stay tuned as we delve into the complex dynamics of this iconic sitcom, unearthing a tale of
friction behind the laughter.
Facts Verse Presents: The I Love Lucy Cast Hated Him More Than Anyone
William Frawley: A Quintessential Cast Member
William Clement Frawley was born on February 26, 1887, in Burlington, Iowa.
He began his career in vaudeville in 1914 alongside his then-wife, Edna Louise Broedt,
in a comedy act known as "Frawley and Louise".
This stage of partnership lasted until their divorce in 1927.
Frawley also graced the Broadway stage multiple times.
In 1916, he signed with Paramount Studios and starred in more than 100 films over a
span of 35 years, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the entertainment industry.
In 1951, when Frawley was 64 and found film role offers dwindling, he eagerly applied
to play the role of Fred Mertz, the curmudgeonly, stingy landlord in a new television situation
comedy "I Love Lucy".
Despite the apprehensions of CBS executives about Frawley's reputation for frequent drinking
and instability, series stars Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball were thrilled to have a seasoned
movie actor join their cast.
His professionalism shone through as he never came to work intoxicated and consistently
delivered his lines flawlessly after just one reading.
"I Love Lucy" debuted on CBS on October 15, 1951, and quickly became a massive hit.
The show ran for six years with half-hour episodes, later morphing into hour-long specials
from 1957 to 1960, rebranded as "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show", and later, "The Lucy-Desi
Comedy Hour".
Frawley's co-star was Vivian Vance, who played Ethel Mertz, his on-screen wife.
Despite their convincing on-screen chemistry, the actors had a strained relationship off-screen,
largely attributed to Vance's dissatisfaction with being paired with a man 22 years her
senior.
Frawley, having overheard Vance's complaints, took offense and held a grudge that persisted
throughout their time on the show.
For more on this specific bit of on and off-set contention, be sure to stick around as we’ll
dive into it in a bit more detail in just a moment.
For his work on "I Love Lucy", Frawley received five consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1953 to 1957.
His character, Fred Mertz, became a beloved figure in the world of television, helping
to cement the show as a defining feature of our cultural zeitgeist.
Yet, despite Frawley's significant contributions to the show, his presence, as we’ve already
hinted at, was not always appreciated behind the scenes.
The tension between him and the rest of the cast was palpable, disrupting the harmony
often seen in their on-screen interactions.
This discord, in many ways, created a paradoxical environment, where a show so loved by many
bore witness to frequent discord among its cast.
As we progress in our discussion, we'll delve deeper into this conflict, highlighting specific
incidents that illustrate the complexity of Frawley's relationship with his fellow actors.
Vance Couldn’t Stand Frawley
While the real-life couple of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz translated their personal rapport
beautifully into their on-screen characters Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy," the
same cannot be said for the other on-screen couple, Ethel and Fred Mertz, played by Vivian
Vance and William Frawley.
Contrary to the friendly and cooperative rapport you might assume based on their performances,
Vance and Frawley had quite a bit of contention behind the scenes, which went beyond the initial
issues we touched on earlier.
Let's delve into the details of this divide.
One of the main sources of discord between the two actors stemmed from their significant
age gap.
When "I Love Lucy" premiered, Vance was 42 years old while Frawley was 64.
According to the book "I Love Lucy: The Untold Story" by Gregg Oppenheimer, son of the show's
producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, Vance found it disconcerting to be paired
as the spouse of Frawley, whom she referred to as "that old man."
What began as Vance's internal displeasure morphed into an open feud when her comments
reached Frawley.
Offended by Vance's remarks, Frawley began to retaliate by suggesting lines for his character
that portrayed Ethel in unflattering terms, such as having "a figure like a sack full
of doorknobs."
This antagonism wasn't confined to the early days of the show but continued throughout
its six-season run.
Some viewers have speculated that the lack of affection displayed between Ethel and Fred
on the show may have been a reflection of the mutual disdain Vance and Frawley had for
each other.
Adding fuel to the fire, Vance was known to refer to her on-screen husband as "ol' fat
Freddy" in the series.
When the opportunity arose for Vance and Frawley to star in an "I Love Lucy" spinoff focused
on Fred and Ethel, the discord between the two actors effectively quashed the project.
Despite the potential for success and the financial incentives, including a hefty bonus
for Vance, the offer was declined.
This refusal can be attributed to Vance's strong desire not to work with Frawley again,
providing further evidence of the deep-seated animosity she held for him.
Strange Demands and Volatile Behavior
William Frawley's persona on "I Love Lucy" as the gruff but lovable Fred Mertz was not
far from his off-screen personality.
His prickly demeanor, coupled with an unyielding attitude and alcoholism, often brought him
into conflict with his fellow cast members and producers, exacerbating the difficulties
of working with him.
One of the first issues that arose was Frawley's insistence on including a unique clause in
his contract: time off whenever the New York Yankees made it to the World Series.
This unusual request demonstrated his disregard for the typical filming schedule and the potential
inconvenience his absences might pose for the rest of the team.
Alcoholism was another significant factor that impeded his professional relationships.
His struggles with alcohol were well-known within the industry, and his resulting unpredictability
made him a risky colleague.
His drinking habits likely fueled his aggressive demeanor and contributed to his reputation
as a hothead.
As an actor, Frawley was notoriously difficult to work with due to his combative attitude.
He often acted out and took matters into his own hands to right what he perceived as wrongs.
This volatile and confrontational nature made him an intimidating presence on set, leading
to a strained atmosphere that made just about everyone around him feel uncomfortable, to
say the least.
Frawley Found Some Dignity After “Lucy”
Following his memorable role in "I Love Lucy", William Frawley went on to play another well-known
character, co-starring with Fred MacMurray in the 1960 series "My Three Sons".
However, to the public and the press, Frawley would always be recognized as Fred Mertz,
his character from "I Love Lucy".
Such was the power of this character that he was frequently called by his onscreen name,
often being approached and asked about his old TV wife, Ethel.
Even though he had moved on to a new role, the shadow of Fred Mertz loomed large in his
career.
However, Frawley didn't let typecasting diminish his good nature or his humor.
When asked about his old TV wife, Ethel, his light-hearted reply was: "She's home doing
the laundry like she should."
Frawley's role in "My Three Sons" provided him with a reprieve from the physical comedy
and antics of "I Love Lucy".
Instead of having pies thrown in his face or dealing with chickens on the stage floor,
his biggest worry in "My Three Sons" was tripping over the family dog.
Shot on the same production lot as "I Love Lucy", the familiar surroundings and faces
made the experience even more comfortable for the aging actor.
With a note of relief, Frawley remarked on the dignified nature of his later role, saying,
"Thank goodness, we have a little dignity on this series".
He saw "My Three Sons" as a more suitable environment for him at that stage of his career,
a welcome shift from the high-energy hijinks of "I Love Lucy".
Despite the relentless association with his earlier role, Frawley embraced his part in
"My Three Sons" wholeheartedly, staying with the show until his declining health necessitated
his departure.
Outro
Despite his professional troubles and personal challenges, Frawley did manage to build at
least one lasting friendship in the industry - with Desi Arnaz.
Their bond endured until Frawley's death at the age of 79, with Arnaz offering a heartfelt
tribute, "Buenos noches, amigo," in a newspaper ad following Frawley's passing.
It's fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of such an iconic show as "I Love
Lucy."
William Frawley, with his remarkable talent and complex personality, certainly left a
profound mark on the series.
Now, we turn the conversation over to you.
What are your thoughts on William Frawley's impact on the show?
How do you perceive his relationship with his co-stars?
Do you think the contentious on-set relationships contributed to the on-screen magic?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below.
And as always, thanks for watching!