Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Family Watching a TV Sitcom" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 34? Lucille Ball stamp issued August 6, 2001. First aired on October 15, 1951, I Love Lucy was one of the most popular television comedies of the decade. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, the show centered around the outrageous antics of a Manhattan housewife and her Cuban husband, a bandleader at the Tropicana nightclub. Together with their neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz -- played by William Frawley and Vivian Vance -- the Ricardos engaged in the most hilarious comedic situations ever seen on television. Ricky's connections in the entertainment industry presented an avenue for celebrities to appear on the show. Of course Lucy concocted harebrained schemes to meet the stars and appear in Ricky's show, always with disastrous results. One classic episode involved Lucy and Ethel working at a candy factory assembly line, where they wrapped the candy that moved along the conveyor belt. Everything was fine -- until the machine speeded up! Lucy and Ethel frantically stuffed the candy in aprons, hats, pockets, and then began eating as fast as they could. The 1950s' most successful television show, I Love Lucy won five Emmy Awards during its original run. The show is still enjoyed today by audiences and devoted fans in America and throughout the world. Image Size: 16.25 x 14 in. Overall Size: 24.25 x 21 in. Unframed. (B16950)