Why did "I Love Lucy" end while Number 1 (1 Viewer)

[Ryan Wishton]

I was just curious if anyone knows why the show "I Love Lucy" ended when it did?

The show never went below #3 in the Neilson in it's entire run.

Nielsen TV Ratings History:
#3 in the 1951-1952 season
#1 in the 1952-1953 season
#1 in the 1953-1954 season
#1 in the 1954-1955 season
#2 in the 1955-1956 season
#1 in the 1956-1957 season

The show also had 6 seasons which while long is relatively short for a hit show of this magnitude.

Was it Lucille Ball's idea to end the show?

I am just wondering why the show did end when it did? Then again, many will think most shows should probably take this approach. Ending while they are ahead.

Thank You.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The show ended for a couple of reasons. Both, Ball and Arnaz were tired so they decided to end the show. They were also running their own company Desilu productions which occupied their time and their marriage was having problems which eventually led to a divorce and Lucy buying out Desi from Desilu. Also, after I Love Lucy ended, they did film some shows that ran an hour and aired as specials called the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Shows.





Crawdaddy