I spent much of my free time in undergrad watching a lot of reruns on TVLand, learning many of the classic sitcoms in the process. "I Love Lucy" was one example. Lucy's mishaps always made for great comedy. I suspect that Ricky's presence was the main exposure that a lot of people in the US had to Cuba prior to the revolution.
As to the argument that Lucy simply reinforced the image of a 1950s housewife, I say that she put a spin on it. Moreover, this series set the stage for all future sitcoms. "Gilligan's Island", "All in the Family", "The Simpsons" and others all owe a debt to this show.
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