"I Love Lucy"... "I Hate Fred"...
At first, Vivian Vance didn't want the part of Ethel Mertz (too frumpy), and hated being cast as the wife of William Frawley (she was 42, he was 64, and the two never got along). Frawley, an alcoholic and on the professional skids had actively campaigned for the role of Fred Mertz after learning that Gale Gordon was also unavailable. Desi Arnaz hired him, but only under strict conditions regarding alcohol consumption and professionalism. The runaway success of the series forced the two to work together but Frawley never forgave Vance for a comment she made about the disparity in their ages, which he overheard.
Vance and Frawley were offered a spinoff of "I Love Lucy "(1951) but the two disliked working with each other so much that they declined. Producer Jess Oppenheimer was quoted as saying that the infamous feud between Vance and William Frawley was exaggerated, and said that while TV's favorite neighbors may not have been "chummy" in real life, they were professionals who for the most part treated each other with respect during rehearsals and filming. Apparently, Oppenheimer was not dining at the same restaurant as Vance when, upon hearing of Frawley's death on Thursday, March 3rd, 1966, proclaimed "Champagne, for everyone!"
Legend has it that a clause in Vance's television contract required her to stay 10 pounds heavier than costar/producer Lucille Ball. Actually, this contract never existed, at least not in legal, binding form. It was a mock contract given to Vance by Ball as a gag gift sparking the legend it was a real contract.
Happy Birthday, Vivian Vance!