On this day, January 19, in 1953 (56 years ago), Episode #56 of I Love Lucy, "Lucy Goes to the Hospital," aired for the first time. In this episode Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball, and Ricky Ricardo, played by Lucille's real life husband Desi Arnaz, welcomed their son, Little Ricky. This episode was one of the most popular in television history. It was one of the first American television programs to deal with the issue of sex, a taboo subject in conservative 1950s America, when most married couples weren't even shown sharing the same bed. 44 million viewers (72% of all U.S. homes with a television) tuned in, while only 29 million tuned in for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's inauguration the previous night.
I Love Lucy debuted in 1951 and quickly shot to the top of the charts, remaining at the top of the ratings for 4 of its 6 years on television. Prior to I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball performed on a radio show called My Favorite Husband. CBS proposed that she start a television show and Ball agreed as long as her husband, Desi Arnaz, could co-star. After some reluctancy the show began filming. The couple's production company, Desilu, won rights to produce the show and negotiated 100% ownership, making Ball and Arnaz television's first millionaires.