The Behind-the-Scenes Feud Between Vivian Vance and William Frawley on TV's 'I Love Lucy'

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For millions of TV fans around the world, and for what almost seems like as many years, I Love Lucy has provided hours of entertainment. With their comedic portrayals, the show's main stars, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (TV's first interracial marriage; she was Irish; he was Cuban), and Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz, the Ricardo's next-door neighbors, continue to bring joy.

Ethel and Lucy were the dearest of pals, and would often get in dire straights, and would periodically argue in laughable ways, as would Lucy and Ricky, and Ethel and Fred.

However, while filming the series, which originally aired on CBS from 1951 to 1957, all was not rosy behind the scenes, specifically between Vance and Frawley.

A Closer Look

While they are fondly recalled as one of TV's most favorite husband-and-wife neighbors, Vivian Vance and William Frawley had issues with one another. Allegedly, a feud began with her discomfort at Frawley being hired to play her spouse.

Vance thought Frawley was too old to play her husband. It all went south from there.

Frawley, unhappy with Vance's commentary, would retaliate with not-so-positive feelings towards Vance and it all went south from there.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges behind the scenes of I Love Lucy, the show continues to make the world laugh. And the world certainly could use that.