 According to testimony from Jimmy The Weasel Fratianno, a Mafia  boss turned FBI informant, the Chicago family of the Mafia ordered  the assassination of the shows producer Desi Arnaz (qv) because  they didnt like, (a) the fact that the success of the show was  focusing attention on the Mafia, and (b) the shows portrayal of  Italians. Fratianno said that two hitmen hid themselves near Arnazs  house one night waiting for him to show up, but he never did.  Shortly afterwards the assassination order was rescinded when it was  realized that Arnazs murder would cause the Mafia more trouble than  it was worth.