The iconic television series I Love Lucy is set to receive the legacy television award at the upcoming Emmys. The legacy award honors series that “made a profound and generational impact on audiences and remains relevant to society, culture and the industry today.”

While three-quarters of a century old, the classic program still garners viewers today. After its 1951 premiere, I Love Lucy quickly became a powerhouse of the mid-20th century, frequently seen atop the ratings. It even held the title of the first-ever program to sit atop Nielsen’s rankings. 

The show would turn Lucille Ball (Here’s Lucy, The Lucy Show) and Desi Arnaz (Forever Darling, The Lucy Show) into the Hollywood icons they are today. The show not only catapulted them to fame, but also sought to break barriers. I Love Lucy was the first show with a prominently featured interracial couple, as well as the first to feature a pregnant woman. During its run, the show was nominated for 20 Emmys and gave rise to many of the lasting comedy mainstays we see in sitcoms today. Ball would win two Emmys for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Both Ball and Arnaz were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1991, respectively. 

The show’s 1953 episode “Lucy Goes To The Hospital” was watched by 44 million people. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration would fail to match the numbers achieved by I Love Lucy. 

Chris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, spoke to the series profound and lasting impact. I Love Lucy truly helped define what television could be. “Beyond its place in television and cultural history as one of the medium’s most beloved shows, its creative ambition, technical innovation and groundbreaking approach to the business of television established a blueprint that continues to influence our industry 75 years later. We are proud to celebrate a series whose impact is so enduring as the first recipient of the Television Academy’s Legacy Award.” He said.

The series is set to receive the award on September 6th, the second night of the Emmy Awards. The series can be viewed on Paramount+.