5 television duos that show us how powerful female friendships can be

Lucy and Ethel from I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy was the most popular TV show in America for most of the 1950s. The character of Lucy, played by Lucille Ball,  was a housewife who would often get into mischief under her husband’s nose. A lot of Lucy’s ideas were harebrained and silly, but she had a willing partner who would go down the rabbit hole with her: Ethel Mertz, played by Vivian Vance. 

Ethel was the wife of Lucy and Ricky’s landlord, Frank (played by William Frawley), who was also best friends with Ricky. Ethel was always visiting Lucy’s apartment, checking in on her and reporting on apartment gossip. Whenever Lucy had an idea to do something under Ricky’s nose or played a trick to make a point, Ethel was always there to help Lucy out. Ethel would try to sway Lucy in a different direction when she had some wilder ideas, but she’d support her nonetheless.

Some memorable episodes that show this dynamic in Lucy and Ethel’s friendship are “Job Switching” and “The Operetta.” In “Job Switching,” Ethel and Lucy had an argument with Frank and Ricky about whose job was harder: breadwinner or housewife. They made a deal to switch jobs; Frank and Ricky had to take care of the home while Lucy and Ethel went to the temp agency to find a job. The women were both anxious, and Lucy took the lead talking to the agent, but they were both holding on to each other sitting in one chair. You could tell they really depended on one another.

In “The Operetta,”  Lucy wrote an operetta for her women’s club. She wanted to sing in the musical, but she couldn’t sing. Ethel found a way for Lucy to not embarrass herself without having to hurt Lucy’s feelings. First, Lucy wanted to play the lead, but Ethel got Lucy to see that she had the best voice and should play the lead. So Lucy let Ethel play the lead and decided to settle for the Queen of the Gypsies, which was a role that had a lot of singing. Ethel decided to get the chorus of ladies to sing over Lucy, so no one got to hear her horrible voice. This caused Lucy frustration, but it was the best way Ethel knew how to let her friend follow her bliss but not embarrass herself. Ethel was also thinking about the success of the show, which was also important to Lucy. (The show ended up being a disaster anyway, though, since it was interrupted by movers who were taking away costumes, scenery, and props because Lucy’s check bounced.)

Best friends love each other unconditionally, and Ethel and Lucy’s relationship was definitely unconditional. The two embarrassed themselves for one another and still believed in the other’s ideas despite there being plenty of reason not to. It’s nice to see female friendships this strong.

What are some of your favorite female friendships from television? Who reminds you of your own friends? Tell us in the comments below!