It’s one of the most iconic, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable moments in television history: Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz, overwhelmed by an unstoppable conveyor belt of chocolates, desperately trying to wrap every piece before resorting to stuffing them into their mouths, hats, and blouses. This legendary scene from the “Job Switching” episode of I Love Lucy is pure comedic gold. But what many fans don’t know is that behind the uproarious laughter, Lucille Ball herself came perilously close to choking for the sake of her art.
The scene, which aired in 1952, sees Lucy and Ethel take on a job at a candy factory. When the pace of the chocolate conveyor belt accelerates beyond their wrapping capabilities, panic ensues, leading to their desperate, sugar-fueled attempts to hide the evidence. It’s a masterclass in physical comedy, showcasing Ball’s incredible timing and rubbery facial expressions.
However, the reality of filming was far more intense than viewers could imagine. The chocolates used were real, and the pace of the conveyor belt was genuinely fast. To make the scene as authentic and funny as possible, Ball committed fully, actually eating the chocolates at an alarming rate when she couldn’t keep up with wrapping them. It’s been widely reported that during filming, Lucille Ball really did nearly choke on the candy as she frantically stuffed it into her mouth to maintain the illusion of panic and desperation. Her dedication to authenticity was so profound that she pushed herself to the very edge for the perfect take.
Even more astounding is the revelation that much of this chaotic brilliance was improvised. While the premise of the scene was set, Ball and Vivian Vance (Ethel) weren’t given a detailed script for their frantic actions. Instead, they were instructed to react genuinely to the escalating speed of the conveyor belt. This meant that Ball’s contorted expressions, her desperate attempts to hide chocolates, and her near-choking incident were largely spontaneous, born from her incredible improvisational skills and her commitment to comedic realism.
This behind-the-scenes secret elevates an already classic moment into a testament to Lucille Ball’s unparalleled professionalism and fearless approach to comedy. She wasn’t just acting; she was truly living the frantic, hilarious reality of the scene, pushing her own limits to create something immortal. The “chocolate factory” scene remains a beloved highlight of I Love Lucy, a timeless piece of television history made even more legendary by the surprising lengths its star went to for a laugh.
