What was the gay connection?
The premise of the venerable sitcom (1951-57) was aggressively heterosexist, with no hint of satire or critique. Nightclub performer Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz, left) and his wife Lucy (Lucille Ball) were lovebirds, neighbors Fred and Ethel (William Frawley, Vivian Vance) grumpy but affectionate.
No beefcake. Granted, Desi Arnaz was handsome, and occasionally a cute friend showed up, but they were always fully clothed, usually in one of those 1950s business suits that hid everything. Even the Ricky doll was somewhat lacking in musculature.
No gay characters, not even by implication.
No gay connections in the actors' other roles, though Desi Arnaz was bisexual, and his son Desi Arnaz Jr. starred in some gay-subtext movies.
And no hint of homoromance. Though Lucy and Ethel were buddies, they displayed no passion, hanging out mostly to complain about their husbands and scheme to get more power in the relationship.
Maybe that was the gay connection. As a 1950s housewife, Lucy was powerless, treated as a child (she got an allowance, and Ricky threatened to spank her if she misbehaved). Her domain was the home, serving coffee to Ricky as he read his morning newspaper. To get what she wanted, she had to resort to subterfuge.
The wild schemes that we enjoy watching all resulted from "Ricky won't let me do X" or "Ricky won't let me have X." Groups with no power, like gay people and 1950s housewives, always have to work behind the scenes, appropriate what is meant for someone else. And, in spite of her mishaps, Lucy was often triumphant.
See Cesar Hooks up with the Entire Male Cast of "I Love Lucy"
No beefcake. Granted, Desi Arnaz was handsome, and occasionally a cute friend showed up, but they were always fully clothed, usually in one of those 1950s business suits that hid everything. Even the Ricky doll was somewhat lacking in musculature.
No gay characters, not even by implication.
No gay connections in the actors' other roles, though Desi Arnaz was bisexual, and his son Desi Arnaz Jr. starred in some gay-subtext movies.
Maybe that was the gay connection. As a 1950s housewife, Lucy was powerless, treated as a child (she got an allowance, and Ricky threatened to spank her if she misbehaved). Her domain was the home, serving coffee to Ricky as he read his morning newspaper. To get what she wanted, she had to resort to subterfuge.
See Cesar Hooks up with the Entire Male Cast of "I Love Lucy"
...The elocution instructor was definitely gay. He was also in Summer Stock with Judy Garland.
ReplyDelete