2021
In 1952, Lucille Ball, the star of the hit show *I Love Lucy*, faces a career-threatening accusation of being a communist, while simultaneously dealing with tabloid rumors about her husband Desi Arnaz's infidelity and the network's resistance to her real-life pregnancy being written into the show. As the week progresses, Lucy, Desi, and their writing team, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, and Madelyn Pugh, navigate the intense pressures of live television production, script changes, and personal conflicts, including Lucy's struggles with her co-stars Vivian Vance and William Frawley. Flashbacks reveal Lucy's early career, her insistence on Desi being her on-screen husband despite network objections, and the origins of her iconic red hair. The central conflict escalates as Lucy's alleged communist ties become public, threatening to derail the show and their lives, while Lucy and Desi's marriage is strained by his infidelity and her controlling nature on set.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Being the Ricardos follows Lucy and Desi Ricardo navigating personal and professional crises amid a communist scandal and groundbreaking television production.
Open full beat sheetLucille Ball is listed as Lead Actress / Star of I Love Lucy. Red-haired, kinetically gifted, ambitious, and complex. In the parsed data, Lucille Ball is connected to 49 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
49 scenes / 27 dialogue linesDesi Arnaz is listed as Lead Actor / President of Desilu. Cuban bandleader, charming, business-savvy, husband to Lucy. In the parsed data, Desi Arnaz is connected to 30 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
30 scenes / 17 dialogue linesJess Oppenheimer is listed as Executive Producer and Head Writer. Professional, stressed, mediator between cast and network. In the parsed data, Jess Oppenheimer is connected to 30 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
30 scenes / 13 dialogue linesMadelyn Pugh is listed as Writer. Midwestern, sharp, collaborator on the writing team. In the parsed data, Madelyn Pugh is connected to 25 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
25 scenes / 7 dialogue linesBob Carroll is listed as Writer. Collaborator on the writing team. In the parsed data, Bob Carroll is connected to 20 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
20 scenes / 3 dialogue linesWilliam Frawley is listed as Actor. Plays Fred Mertz, cynical, older, drinks on the job. In the parsed data, William Frawley is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 33.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesVivian Vance is listed as Actress. Plays Ethel Mertz, talented, sensitive about her appearance. In the parsed data, Vivian Vance is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHoward Wenke is listed as CBS Executive. Corporate representative, concerned with network image. In the parsed data, Howard Wenke is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDonald Glass is listed as Director. Younger director, often clashes with Lucy. In the parsed data, Donald Glass is connected to 4 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJess Oppenheimer discusses the massive viewership of I Love Lucy during an interview.
Jess OppenheimerBob Carroll recalls the scary week when the news broke.
Bob CarrollMadelyn Pugh comments on the fear surrounding the events.
Madelyn PughLucy and Desi argue while listening to the radio, eventually hearing the news about Lucy's alleged communism.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazThe cast and crew hold a tense table read while waiting for Lucy and Desi.
Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyLucy and Desi meet with network executives to address the communist allegations.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Howard WenkeLucy and Desi return to the table read and begin the rehearsal.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, Vivian VanceThe writing team and cast discuss the script for the upcoming episode, specifically the logic of Lucy not hearing Ricky enter.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughA black and white sequence of the scene being rehearsed.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazThe team continues to refine the script, discussing the logic of the 'Guess who' joke.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughThe team discusses the quality of the writing and Madelyn makes a joke about RKO.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughOlder Madelyn reflects on the past and the writing process.
Madelyn PughThe writers discuss episode ideas; Desi and Lucy arrive to announce Lucy's pregnancy.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughThe team brainstorms the Italy episode and the grape-stomping scene.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughLucy asks a bellman about grape vineyards.
Lucille BallVittorio offers Lucy a part in his movie.
Lucille BallLucy performs the grape-stomping scene.
Lucille BallLucy suggests the earring plot point.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughLucy practices the 'Lucy Tells the Truth' premise.
Lucille Ball, Vivian VanceDesi and Jess argue about the IRS scene and the pregnancy announcement.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughJess confronts Desi about his behavior.
Desi Arnaz, Jess OppenheimerRehearsal of the dinner scene.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Donald GlassLucy and Desi argue about tabloid rumors.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazOlder Madelyn reflects on Lucy's desire for a home.
Madelyn PughOlder Bob reflects on their relationship.
Bob CarrollOlder Jess reflects on their unhappiness.
Jess OppenheimerLucy and Desi meet after work.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazMadelyn visits Vivian.
Madelyn Pugh, Vivian VanceDesi and Lucy meet with executives to discuss the pregnancy.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Howard WenkeDesi and Lucy argue with executives about having a pregnant character on the show, culminating in Desi threatening to involve the sponsor.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, Howard WenkeRehearsal of a dinner scene where Lucy, Fred, and Ethel struggle with the blocking.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Donald GlassLucy confronts Vivian about her diet and the show's direction.
Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyLucy and Frawley drink at a bar and discuss Desi's leadership and the show.
Lucille Ball, William FrawleyLucy tells Desi she got the lead role in The Big Street.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazLucy and Desi discuss their careers, rumors, and the future of their relationship over champagne.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazLucy waits to meet with Charles Koerner and is informed her contract is being dropped.
Lucille BallKoerner informs Lucy that RKO is dropping her contract, leading to a heated argument.
Lucille BallLucy reads radio scripts while drunk; Desi expresses frustration about his own career.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazA dress rehearsal for I Love Lucy where Lucy challenges the script logic.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, William FrawleyWriters discuss script changes; Lucy interrupts to speak with Jess.
Lucille Ball, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughLucy and Jess discuss the script.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerLucy confronts Jess about Desi's lack of credit and asks for help with her marriage.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerWriters wait for Lucy and Jess.
Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn PughLucy and Madelyn discuss the character of Lucy and the writing process.
Lucille Ball, Madelyn PughJess and the writing team prepare to leave for the stage while Lucy is left behind.
Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, Lucille BallDesi waits for news from Philip Morris and prepares to head to the stage.
Desi ArnazDesi and the writers discuss the script and the pregnancy plotline.
Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob CarrollDesi confirms the pregnancy plotline will proceed.
Desi Arnaz, Madelyn Pugh, Jess OppenheimerTensions rise regarding the pregnancy plot and Desi's role as the title character.
Jess Oppenheimer, Desi Arnaz, Madelyn Pugh, Bob CarrollExterior shot of the house at night.
Lucy practices lines while doing laundry; Desi visits.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazLucy stands outside in the rain.
Lucille BallLucy meets Frawley and Vivian to re-stage a scene.
Lucille Ball, William Frawley, Vivian VanceThe re-staged scene is performed.
William Frawley, Vivian VanceLucy reflects on her career and the show.
Lucille Ball, William Frawley, Vivian VanceOlder Jess reflects on the title character conversation.
Jess OppenheimerOlder Bob reflects on the incident.
Bob CarrollOlder Madelyn recounts Lucy's hair color change.
Madelyn PughLucy performs on My Favorite Husband with red hair.
Lucille BallCBS executives approach Lucy about television.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerLucy agrees to TV but insists on Desi as her husband.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerLucy defends Desi to the CBS executives.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerPre-show activity.
Lucy prepares for the show.
Lucille Ball, Jess OppenheimerLucy and Jess discuss the E.P. credit conflict and the impending crisis regarding the newspaper headline.
Lucille Ball, Jess Oppenheimer, Howard WenkeDesi shows Lucy the 'LUCILLE BALL A RED' headline and explains his plan to clear her name using the live audience.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess OppenheimerLucy talks with Vivian, Frawley, and Madelyn about the scandal.
Lucille Ball, Madelyn Pugh, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Howard WenkeDesi addresses the audience and J. Edgar Hoover to clear Lucy's name.
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll, Madelyn Pugh, Vivian VanceLucy confronts Desi about his infidelity after the show.
Lucille Ball, Desi ArnazSo my question again, Jess, is does Ricky honestly, truly believe that there might be eight different men who routinely walk into their apartment--all of whom sound exactly like Desi Arnaz?
The hypocrite joke is for Episode 9, that's the script we're working on. If Lucy's going to be pregnant--Lucy Ricardo--we have to introduce it in 9 according to your timetable.
After RKO dropped Lucy's contract, MGM had her in for a Technicolor test, which she didn't know yet would be one of the most important moments in her life.
Ricky Ricardo loves America. He loves being an American. He's grateful to this country and he'd never cheat on his taxes.
No, I knew that wasn't gonna go well. None of us heard what Desi said to Jess. I still don't know what he said.
The table's set for four but there are only three chairs, I should've put that in the stage direction.
Thank you. "Lucy's putting the finishing touches on a fancy dinner table--good china, silver, etc."
Desi is in love with America like no man I've ever known... But that doesn't mean he's not Cuban.
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