MadSci Network: Astronomy |
The short answer is no. Although it makes a good sound bite, aliens will almost certainly not be watching the "I Love Lucy" show unless they have far more sensitive systems than we have.
This question is addressed in some detail in the sci.astro FAQ. Quoting from it
Detection of broadband signals from Earth such as AM radio, FM radio, and television picture and sound would be extremely difficult even at a fraction of a light-year distant from the Sun. For example, a TV picture having 5 MHz of bandwidth and 5 MWatts of power could not be detected beyond the solar system even with a radio telescope with 100 times the sensitivity of the 305 meter diameter Arecibo telescope.
John Dreher has also answered a similar question on MadSci.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Astronomy.