fair game. At times slightly vain, as in one episode when a concert in New Mexico goes to her head, she has a thicker skin than Lucy and seldom takes offense. She is easily able to parry Fred's frequent disparaging remarks. Ethel and Lucy, although landlady and tenant, are the best of friends, gossiping and supporting each other during difficult times. They are seen entering several business ventures together, including owning and running a dress shop and a diner, and marketing a homemade salad dressing. Though not afraid to be critical of Lucy, especially when Lucy's schemes create trouble for others, Ethel will always bail out her friend. Occasional episodes of competition occur between them, mostly in relation to show business. When they are in competition for the same part, Ethel, having actual experience, always has the edge over Lucy, which in turn leads Lucy to mention Ethel's greater age and weight. Despite their spats, they always make up again by the end of the show. Lucy relies a great deal on her friend's more practical nature and calmer disposition. Along with Lucy's husband Ricky and her own husband, Fred, Ethel travels to many places in the United States and Europe, such as England, France, Italy, and Switzerland. They are a childless couple. Fred and Ethel eventually move to Connecticut with the Ricardos and continue as their neighbors there; they also appear regularly on The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour. After I Love Lucy Vivian Vance portrayed Lucille Ball's best friend in a recurring role on each of her next two sitcoms, The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. In both sitcoms, Vance insisted her character's name also be Vivian, as she was reportedly tired of being identified as "Ethel" when spotted on the street. Reception According to Entertainment Weekly, she is one of the "greatest sidekicks". References I Love Lucy characters Fictional singers Fictional characters from New Mexico Television sidekicks Television characters introduced in 1951 American female characters in television Flappers