Then Lucy and Ethel's hopes of joining the posh Society Matrons' League lead to a bet with their husbands over which sex—the men or the women—had it harder living in a bygone era.

Almost 70 years since its 1951 debut, I Love Lucy can still be seen around the world in over 40 countries and in dozens of languages, with an estimated 40 million daily viewers.

Vance got her career-changing break in 1951. She was offered the role of Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy after Desi Arnaz discovered her when he saw her performing in the play, The Voice of the Turtle.

I Love Lucy Christmas Special, a one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will air Friday, Dec. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS.

I Love Lucy Christmas Special, a one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will air Friday, Dec. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS. The I Love Lucy ...