Synopsis

"Weird Al" Yankovic plays Ricky Ricardo in a black-and-white parody modeled on the look and feel of "I Love Lucy." Alongside Tress MacNeille as Lucy, he sings about Ricky and Lucy's marriage, domestic squabbles, hobbies, and television-era romance. The clip alternates between staged sitcom scenes and brief shots of Yankovic performing with his band as himself. It closes with the "I Love Lucy" theme, Ricky's familiar laugh, and a cameo by Dr. Demento.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Ricky" was Yankovic's first music video and was made on an exceptionally small budget.

• The entire video was filmed in one day at a friend's house. The band scenes were shot first, followed by the Ricky Ricardo sequences.

• Yankovic appeared as himself before transforming into Ricky. He shaved off his mustache and tucked his long hair beneath a short-haired wig; the makeup process took about an hour and a half.

• Tress MacNeille was cast as Lucy after an advertisement seeking Lucille Ball impersonators received only two responses. She performed Lucy's part on both the recording and the video.

• The video was shot largely in black and white to match the visual style of "I Love Lucy," with Yankovic adopting an exaggerated version of Desi Arnaz's Ricky Ricardo persona.

• A cheerleader dancing in the crowd references Toni Basil's "Mickey," the 1982 hit being parodied.

• Dr. Demento appears briefly at the end, dancing in a top hat and beard.

• "Ricky" reached No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983, helping introduce Yankovic's visual comedy to a wider audience.

• Yankovic later said the clip was one of the few comedy videos airing on MTV during the channel's early period, and that it helped him recognize the medium's potential.

• Lucille Ball reportedly sent Yankovic a signed letter expressing her appreciation for the parody.