I Love Desi

Author: Jeff Little

He was more than met the eye. Desi Arnaz was a television innovator whose imagination and intelligence still affects the medium today.

Born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha, III in Santiago de Cuba March 2, 1917, "Desi" would go on to implement groundbreaking ideas we all take for granted today. But these accomplishments did not come easily to the Cuban-born Arnaz.

Fleeing Cuba in 1933, following one of the countries many revolutions, the once wealthy Arnaz family put down roots in Miami, Florida and Desi set about the task of working odd jobs to help support them. Eventually finding his niche as a musician, Arnaz moved to New York to work for renowned band leader Xavier Cugat.

Beginning in 1937 Arnaz embarked on a recording career that would eventually lead to Broadway and a role in the musical Too Many Girls. From there it was on to do the movie version in Hollywood where he met an actress named Lucille Ball.

Lucy and Desi began a tumultuous marriage in 1940. By 1944 they had initiated divorce proceedings (allegedly due to Desi's drinking and womanizing) but patched things up before the decree became final. In the interim Desi furthered his career by appearing in several films. Two of the most notable were the World War II genre pics The Navy Comes Through (1942) and Bataan (1943).

On screen Desi had no problem fighting the Nazis and the Japanese, but reality did not imitate art. After being drafted he injured his knee and was delegated to limited service and assigned instead to direct U.S.O. programs.

Returning to what he did best after his military discharge Desi formed another orchestra while Lucy continued at a steady career pace, eventually landing a life-changing role. This part would skyrocket both their careers and make television history in the process.

Lucy played a zany spouse on CBS Radio's My Favorite Wife in 1948 and helped make it a hit. When later asked to aid in developing it for television, Mrs. Ball knew exactly who to cast as her television husband.

I Love Lucy premiered in 1951 (running until 1957) and became one of the most influential television programs of all time (despite criticism from CBS which considered the couple's marriage to be "interracial"). Originally to be titled Lucy and Desi, Mr. Arnaz bowed to studio pressure and accepted the now famous title. But not taking a back seat behind the scenes Desi played an integral part as a producer.

As one of the heads of Desilu Productions Arnaz helped pioneer techniques still used today. Desi changed the budgeting structure of programs, implemented the three camera shoot (TV originally used only one) and (for better or worse) is credited by many as the inventor of the rerun.

Best known as the thick-accented Ricky Ricardo, Arnaz was, instead, a shrewd businessman and gifted performer who revolutionized television. Being more than Lucy's husband (the couple divorced in 1960) he helped form a studio that went on to produce some of the best-known entertainment of all time.

Before dying in December of 1986 Desi Arnaz had forever changed the landscape of television. And anyone who doubts it has "a lotta 'splainin' to do."