<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Chronology </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> The Lucy--Desi Comedy Hour </Td> </Tr> <P> I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley . The black - and - white series originally ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 on CBS . After the series ended in 1957, a modified version continued for three more seasons with 13 one - hour specials; it ran from 1957 to 1960 . It was first known as The Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Show and later in reruns as The Lucy--Desi Comedy Hour . </P> <P> The show, which was the first scripted television program to be shot on 35 mm film in front of a studio audience, won five Emmy Awards and received numerous nominations . </P>

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