The pilot & first season that introduced America to the redheaded housewife with show business aspirations, her long-suffering bandleader husband, and their friends the Mertzes (the prototypical sitcom wacky neighbors). Produced by Ball & Arnaz' company Desilu, the duo (along with co-creator Jess Oppenheimer) decided to shoot the show in Hollywood, on 35 mm film in front of a live studio audience, with three cameras to capture the action.