Six decades after the airing of the sitcom’s first episode, TIME looks back at the historic first season—and the married stars who produced it.
I Love Lucy Turns 60
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Ball met Arnaz in 1940, and married the same year. In planning I Love Lucy, Ball insisted that Arnaz be her partner instead of the actor CBS had planned. The two toured their own Vaudeville variety show in order to change the minds over the executives at CBS, pictured here in 1950.