The Famous "Grape Stomping" Incident "drowning" Myth:

• While much of the the public knows Teresa Tirelli as the fierce, non-English
  speaking "grape stomper", who allegedly nearly drowned Lucille Ball, the
  private history tells a story of a highly educated, multi-talented artist and
  l a family's deep protection of her dignity.
  
  The contrast between the Hollywood narrative found in Bart Andrews'
  books and the official production notes from Jess Oppenheimer (and his
  son, Gregg Oppenheimer) is striking.
  
  While the "near-death" story became a cornerstone of I Love Lucy lore, the
  production team's records strongly align with research found in Teresa Tirelli's
  family archives.
  
  1. The Myth of the "Real" Fight:
  The Hollywood Legends, Bart Andrews and Lucille Ball herself (notably in
  her 1974 Dick Cavett interview), claimed the fight was unscripted and
  dangerous. Lucy alleged Tirelli was a "real" grape stomper who spoke no
  English and genuinely tried to drown her.
  
  The Production Reality:
  Gregg Oppenheimer, son of producer Jess Oppenheimer, has explicitly stated
  that these stories are "simply untrue". He notes that the scene was carefully
  rehearsed all week and that Tirelli was a professional "card-carrying SAG
  member" who spoke perfect English.
  
  2. Tirelli's Professional Standing:
  Jess Oppenheimer's records and memoir, "Laughs, Luck...and Lucy", contradict
  the "peasant extra" narrative.
  
  Casting Choice: She was not a random local but a seasoned opera singer and
  actress.
  
  Method Acting: Witnesses who were actually there at the time suggest
  the "intensity" was actually Tirelli acting with "full force" as a dedicated
  professional rather than out of genuine rage.
  
  Safety: While Lucy claimed she almost suffocated, this was dispelled by the
  production notes, highlighting the meticulous lengths the production crew
  went through to ensure safety, including that the vat was even lined with
  rubberized horse hair to prevent actual injury during the choreographed
  wrestling.
  
  3. Discrepancy in Intent:
  Researchers and fans have speculated on why the narratives diverged so sharply.
  
  4. Comedic Value:
  Lucy was a perfectionist who often embellished stories to make them more
  entertaining for talk-show audiences. In reality, this was a fictional, made up
  story by Lucy and her publicist, Bart Andrews. The story was a farce but was
  right there for all to see in black and white in his book, afterwhich having
  been regurgitated by Lucy herself on the Dick Cavett show, all to add another
  layer of sensationalism to the actual true story.