TOO MUCH KISSIN’

July 14, 1957

It was Desi who suggested Keith Thibodeaux go by the stage name Richard Keith.  Despite this name change, Thibodeaux was never billed by either name on “I Love Lucy” or “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” – simply as ‘Little Ricky’.  Another plus is that boys named Richard are often nicknamed Ricky, which not-so-coincidentally is also the name of the the character he played!  Sadly, this also contributed to the loss of identity for both Thibodeaux and Desi Arnaz Jr.  This confusion is still a source of frustration to this day. 

Although serious ‘kissing’ was not a problem Ricky Ricardo Jr. would ever face on “Lucy”, it did come up briefly on “Lucy Goes To Mexico” (1958). After his big number with Maurice Chevalier and Desi Arnaz, the men are surrounded by girls, who kiss them on the cheeks.  Thibodeaux is noticeably uncomfortable with the smooches from the pint-sized chorines, while the grown-ups glory in it.  After the buss, Keith tries to strike a cool and disinterested pose!   He can’t wait for the director to yell ‘cut’ so he can wipe his mouth!