I've watched the show since I was in kindergarten. It never crossed my mind that it's black and white. It is the best show. It's got so much history. Lucy was the reason I got into comedy. She's an inspiration. Desi is an inspiration for me as well. It never gets old. It'll never go away and we're not gonna let it.
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angelacere28 July 2018
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To date, I have now seen every single episode from all 6 seasons of the "I Love Lucy" TV show from the 1950s. And, by far, I rate Season 4 as being the absolute best season of them all.
In fact, I'd quite confidently say that when it came to the show's superiority in the realm of its hilarious scriptwriting, Season 4 was, without question, the ultimate peak of Sit-Com perfection.
It was especially when the Ricardos and the Mertzes arrived in Hollywood, USA that this show's scriptwriters proved themselves to be at the absolute pinnacle of their craft by creating incomparably uproarious situations for Lucille Ball and her fellow cast members to indulge themselves in.
This review of mine is my respectful tribute to writers Bob Carroll Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and Jess Oppenheimer who, as a team, surely must have worked like fiends behind the scenes as they wrote one memorable episode of priceless, 1950's comedy after another.
I would also like to take this moment to salute and pay honour to director William Asher who was the one responsible for knowing exactly how to handle the script-material given to him and then mould the actors perfectly into the characters which they inevitably became. Even today, 60 years later, the "I Love Lucy" show still remains, on all levels, one of the most unique and unforgettable programs in all of television history, bar none. -
jdburkitt21 January 2007"I Love Lucy" is one of my faves guaranteed to elicit a constant belly laugh from me. Great way to start any day! Ball's comic timing in her scenes has NEVER been surpassed. Since I was born in 1945 this is also somewhat of an opportunity to see what life in America was like when I was a mischievous child. Today, of course, we know more than we want to about the real-life personality conflicts behind the scenes and Desi's constant insensitivity toward Lucille. Ms Ball was a great role model for young ladies, esp. in the industry, because of her managerial/financial/directorial brilliance. I don't think that the later "Lucy" sitcoms were even as good as the "I love Lucy" series.
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Loring10 June 2005Everyone who has already commented has said just about all one can about this extraordinary accomplishment in TV entertainment. I would just like to add this. Some years ago, I saw a comic strip panel that showed the following. We see two gas pumps, one labeled Fred and the other Ethyl. That's it. Evokes a little chuckle. How many shows made the names of their characters so much part of our culture, that 50 years later, a pun like that would be immediately understood by young and old alike? You teenagers out there, do you remember Conklin and Boynton? Or Lily Ruskin and Hilda Crocker? How about Cosmo and Henrietta Topper? Seems to me it is just I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners that have stood the test of time and appealed to all generations. The Bach and Beethoven of TV. Real classics. I am so happy Lucy is finally available on DVD, with plenty of entertaining and fascinating extras.
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twanurit10 July 2003It's still the best television series ever created: still playing on about 4 channels all the time here in the Bay Area. Beautiful Lucille Ball is a master of line delivery and facial expressions, never topped. Vivian Vance has the best supporting role in TV history, a warm, funny, sympathetic character. Desi Arnaz offers the first known Latino-Caucasian pairing ever while William Frawley excels as Vance's husband. Almost all shows are classics, even the lesser known ones. Writing is outstanding, dealing with everyday problems that all can still relate to, never dating. Unlike other TV series, it's VERY SLOWLY being released to DVD, accenting its special status. TV Guide gave it a number 2 rating in its 100 greatest comedy television series (following "Seinfeld"). While "Seinfeld" should be in the Top 10, Lucy was and will always be the pinnacle best.
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Sargebri20 April 2003This was the show that truly invented the situation comedy. Lucy was the show that truly put forth a situation each week and built a plot around it. Whether it was switching jobs, breaking into show business or just getting into trouble, Lucy and Ricky were just the couple for this show. I always enjoy watching it whenever its on, especially the episodes from the "Little Ricky" era. This show is a timeless classic that will always span the generations.
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generationofswine11 March 2019Is anyone else tired of this? Seriously, it first aired a year before my father was born and I don't think its been off the air sense.
But then, there is a reason for this, it represents the golden age of television...the first golden age at least.
It represents Americana and one of it's most unique art forms.
But honestly, it's still funny. It can still make you laugh. It still stands the test of time...that is it does for anyone that hasn't seen every episode multiple times -
happipuppi1316 October 2004Decades after the ultimate popularity of the series,what more is thereto say about "I Love Lucy" ?
This show was one of,if not the very first,well put together sitcoms in TV history. The show is the original blueprint for what most sitcoms in the future would later become. There's really no bad episodes of this show and that's due not just to Lucille Ball but to Desi,Vivian and William as well! The writing staff, profuction crew and directors.
It's the original sitcom that was first ssold into re-runs, that launched the idea of syndication for constant replay on local stations and then like on Nick At Nite, TV Land and more. Although some references on the show might make younger viewers scratch their heads,the comedy and stories are pretty timeless.
One of the best things about the Lucy character for me is not just her hilarious attempts at getting into Ricky's act but the way she,a woman of the 1950s, stands up for herself as a woman. I also like when the stories get sentimental when focusing on either their anniversary,the birth of the baby.
I especially like the scene in one of the Visiting Hollywood shows, where Lucy's been offered a studio contract and she's been guilt tripped by Rick & the Mertzes about the fact she'd have to stay in Hollywood while they went back home to New York.
Standng in the hotel room alone and imagining her career and then the sadder parts of being away from her family all come out in wonderful facial & body expression. Which demonstrated that she's not just a comedian,she was also an actress. (I hated that Lucy Ricardo gave up that once in a lifetime chance though.)
Lucille Ball is a comedic legend, she also in the film The Big Street, showed she truly could act and it was RKO studios loss that they felt she was too old to be a 'commodity' for them in the long run and ended her contract.
Lucille Ball and Desoi Arnaz got the last laugh though, notonly in bein the stars of their own series but being the first actors to actually 'own' a large percentage of their show and run their own Desilu production company.
Sad to think , behind all ofall of that success was a marriage that was falling apart. People truly thought they were just as happy as "Th Ricardos" back then. WHen the final wrap came (on the Lucy / Desi Comedy Hour) in March 1960 , everyone just left the set and no celebration.
Lucy filed for divorce from Desi the very next day.
One last little thing to note, on the lighter side, in the episodes where the Ricardos & Mertzes move to Connecticut, there is a Grandfather clock by the front door of Lucy & Ricky's home.
I've noticed that this clock never says any other time but 12! In one show Ricky comes home from work at what should be evening but,of course, the clock still says 12. I never noticed that until years later.
Oh well, a minor point in a great series. Forget those few who "just don't get it" , the majority rules in Love for Lucy. (End) -
dataconflossmoor10 July 2007The series, "I Love Lucy" could be the most classic T.V. show in the history of television!! Lucille Ball incorporated slapstick stunts in situations that would utterly appall many insufferable people!! The cast is great!! Comprising of; Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, her real life husband, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley.. Originally, the parts of Fred and Ethel Mertz were suppose to be played by Gale Gordon ("Here's Lucy") and Bea Benederitt ("Petticoat Junction").... While both of these performers were very talented, they sought other avenues, and Vivian Vance and William Frawley stepped in!! From there, the television audience could not imagine any two other people playing the role of the Mertz couple!! "I Love Lucy" was very successful for many reasons, one being that the ethnicity recognition sparked a behavioral candor which was identifiable with many people who watched television !! Special guest stars contributed to the popularity of this show tremendously!! Desi Arnaz, who was very talented, became a likable element on "I Love Lucy".. Yet, first and foremost, Lucille Ball, (An RKO Queen) and her wiles of chicanery, are what symbolized the auspicious trademark to this program!! Lucy was the lovable mischief maker who garnered a camaraderie with the small screen viewer!! Her later shows were classic as well, but, "I Love Lucy" was the show which most sticks out in everybody's mind as the stellar sitcom in Lucille Ball's career!! For years and years "I Love Lucy" has been enjoyed by generations of television viewers, and it will continue to be enjoyed by more and more generations in the future!! "I LOVE LUCY" IS TELEVISION!!
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shelbythuylinh15 November 2021Lucy and her Cuban born husband on and off the screen husband Ricky Ricardo as that she wants to be a star and despite the fact she has no talent but can't help but trying.
Ricky is the perfect straight man to Lucy's "scams" and Ethel is her best friend as her husband is best friends to the couple, Fred as well.
Truth the actors playing Ethel and Fred never got along off screen but made it work on screen there. Lucy owns the show but really the other three are the greatest! -
the-antichrist-is-near20 July 2022A lot of episodes per season, so obviously some will be better or worse than others. Sadly over time, the show just drags on; milking the same kind of jokes and even making Lucy seem less likable with her erratic behavior.
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studioAT22 July 2017Even now, all these years later 'I Love Lucy' remains an iconic sitcom, a sitcom that all domestic sitcoms look up to, and Lucille Ball remains a hero to every comedienne trying to show that she can be as funny as a man.
Full of now iconic moments, this show remains as funny as it was when it first aired.
There aren't many sitcoms that have stood the test of time like this one. Well done, Lucy, I'm proud to say I still love you. -
trevor-4429018 September 2023I watched the first season with my family and I was in tears laughing for the most of it ,, it really is a comedy classic . Season one has only a few dud episodes but most are just innocent fun and some hilarious situations that Lucy finds herself in.
Season 2 started good but a big change in the show happened halfway through season 2 when 'little Ricky' was introduced . Towards the end of season 2, I was finding I was laughing very little and the comedy had become very stale and predictable .
By season 3 it becomes almost unwatchable , I managed to make my way through it but it was almost cringeworthy. Lucy has morphed into an annoying, manipulative, lying, mean, selfish , self absorbed, childish, person ... and what's worse the episodes contained very little laughs. Even Fred and Ethel become boring and predictable . Desi carries the show and the only real laughs I got were from him , mostly from his English phrasing . I have watched up to 'oil wells' episode from season 3 and this is a slight improvement but still way off the standard of season one.
Admittedly I have not watched seasons 4-6 but to be honest I can't see things improving but I will keep an open mind
Season 1 ~ 9/10 Season 2 ~ 7/10 Season 3 ~ 5/10
Overall = 7/10. -
ronnybee211230 October 2023Lucille Ball is beloved Hollywood royalty. There is no denying that she earned her place as a Hollywood icon through hard work,shrewd investments,and taking many chances in what was at the time a new and budding early tv business-with no guarantees of any payoff.
Lucille Ball was undeniably a pioneer in a very tough business,a business that was best-known for chewing people up and spitting them out. Lucy was obviously a very tough,hardboiled businesswoman. She deserves all the respect we can give her for her remarkable career.
This is how I feel about Lucille Ball as a Hollywood icon. I want to make this clear,first of all. I like and respect Lucille Ball. I can't say the same for the "Lucy Ricardo" character,unfortunately.
As to the "I Love Lucy show".... I feel very sorry for the husband character,Ricky Ricardo. He has a nearly impossible and thankless job that would drive any normal man to the nut-house,or to the bottle,(or even-worse),at top-speed.
Why? The Lucy Ricardo character is a rotten wife and a rotten person,that is why!
Lucy Ricardo regularly spends outrageous sums of money without discussing it with the breadwinner,her husband. She writes large checks for foolish and unnecessary items without any concern as to whether or not there is enough money in the checking account to cover said checks.
Lucy Ricardo regularly bothers her husband at his workplace,and causes many problems for her husband at his job,this very same job that pays for all her foolishness and easy living.
Whenever Lucy is asked by her husband about missing money or any of her other deceitful behavior,she regularly lies to him about it and turns the smallest of problems into major disasters.
Lucy Ricardo doesn't appear to cook,she doesn't ever clean,nor does she contribute anything else productive,positive,or constructive towards the marriage or to the household. Lucy also never seems to be held responsible in any meaningful way for her selfish and foolish actions,so she is free to continue with her rotten behavior completely unencumbered and without consequences.
Exactly what it is that is supposed to be funny about Lucy's outrageous and selfish behavior is a mystery,because if any of this happened in real life it would quickly lead to a divorce in the husband's favor,or probably much worse. 2/10. -
MovieAddict201612 December 2002Lucille Ball changed television forever when "I Love Lucy" hit the air in 1951. It featured a woman as a main character, which was rare back during that time and age. And the fact that the woman did not listen to her husband often was even more controversial. Everything the show was was rebellious. It was also extremely controversial because her husband was Cuban, and back in the '50's, barely anyone married other races, and if so, the subject was definitely not the premise for a television show.
So, through the ages, I Love Lucy has had a major impact on generations, and has not slipped into culture like many shows, but has been accepted into culture. Not to mention all the Lucy impersonators who have pageants each and every year. But the thing I remember most, is the famous "Eeeooowww!"
5/5 stars --
John Ulmer -
edwagreen20 September 2007Memorable comedy show of the 1950s.
How daring of Lucille Ball to go on television with her Cuban born husband, Desi Arnaz, in 1951. CBS took a bold step and the dividends certainly paid off.
Even though they didn't get along at all off the cameras, Vivian Vance and William Frawley were the perfect neighbors for Lucy and Desi. It was Ethel who was also a part of Lucy's hair-brained schemes. Lucy always wanted to break into show business. Lucy was jealous of Desi. One show was where Lucy thought that Desi was going to kill her. Naturally, the classic shows was where Lucy advertised a vitamin, stepped on grapes, got her head caught in a vase, met various stars, and would be told by Desi to start 'splaining.
Fred Mertz (Frawley) did a great imitation of Jack Benny's cheapness. Remember Mrs. Trumbull, the landlady? She was played by Elizabeth Patterson, a veteran actress who played just about everyone's mother in Hollywood.
How can we forget the panic that ensued when Lucy told Desi that she was ready to give birth? We sure loved Lucy. -
DKosty12327 March 2007Network executives tried to play a race card by objecting to Desi Arnez even being Lucille Ball's husband in this. Like today, the media is still behind the general population. Not only did the public not object to Desi, but it is hard to imagine anyone else playing Lucy's mate now.
This series really clicked on all cylinders all of the time. Lucy who had been schooled in physical comedy while at RKO studios by the great stone face, Buster Keaton, seemed to get better & better at it the longer the series ran. Desi got better & better at acting & comedy as the series kept on going.
William Frawley was brilliant as Fred Mertz, & Vivian Vance was the perfect Ethel Mertz. No matter how zany Lucy got, the others were always there to either help her scheme or pick up the pieces. Some of the comedy is so timeless that the reruns prosper still more than 50 years after they were made.
When Superman appeared, he met his match with Lucy. It's a Bird, It's A Plane, It's a Flying Redhead! The only Redhead nearly as famous as Lucy was Red Skelton & at times even his work was not as endearing as Lucy's was. -
atinrey2 August 2007We will never forget Lucy and his friends, in "I Love Lucy". Still today we enjoy them, till cry of a laugh. I remember her since I as a very little child, and my mother put me on bed to watch Lucy's. Every week we were in front of TV, waiting for her. Lucy was brilliant and full of life, intelligence, happiness and a charming girl. Mostly now, comparing her shows with what is on TV in our days. She did not need a bad word or an unfair joke to make people laugh. I also never seen my mother and wife as happy as when they watch Lucy's show. Lovely Lucy,rest in peace, and keep shining in heaven. Love from my family and I in Spain. That's all I have to say at the moment.
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rcj53651 November 2016First of all, this was the sitcom of sitcoms. Every aspect of the show's premise was implausible and innovative. This was an extraordinary accomplishment in entertainment when it premiered in 1951. And it was the first-ever sitcom to feature a woman as a main character which was not only rare but taking a huge step forward during the golden age of television in the early-1950's. "I Love Lucy" was rebellious and controversial but in turn had some of the most hilarious episodes ever conceived for television. And even some 65 years after it premiered on television the series is still going strong in syndicated repeats in dozens of languages across the world and still to this day remains popular with an American audience of 40 million each year. As for the series itself it has stood the test of time. "I Love Lucy" made television history as being the first scripted television program to be shot on 35mm film and was in front of a studio audience. From the first episode of "I Love Lucy" on October 15,1951 the show was a instant hit on CBS' Prime Time Monday night schedule for the remainder of it's six- year run producing 181 episodes(which includes the "lost" Christmas episode and the original pilot)until the final episode of the series on May 6,1957 all in classic black-and-white. "I Love Lucy" aired on Monday nights in Prime-Time for the remainder of its run at the 9:00 eastern/8:00 central time slot.
About the production team behind "I Love Lucy". The series was produced by Desi Arnaz who served as executive producer(under his production company Desilu Productions)for 158 episodes of the series from 1952 to 1957. Jess Oppenheimer was producer for 155 episodes from 1951-1956. Marc Daniels directed 33 episodes of the series from 1951-1953. William Asher directed 101 episodes of the series from 1952-1957. James V. Kern took over directorial duties in the final two seasons of the series from 1955-1957. Jess Oppenheimer was one of the writers for Seasons 1 thru 5. Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf came on board during the last two seasons of the series. Only writers Madelyn Davis and Bob Carroll Jr., were the only principal writers that were with the series throughout its entire six year-run. Lucille Ball kept the same principal writers for other shows including "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Show", "The Lucy Show",and "Here's Lucy". Only actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz along with Vivian Vance and William Frawley were the only principal cast players that were with the series throughout its entire run.
The phenomenal success of "I Love Lucy" won five Prime-Time Emmys for Best Situation Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Series between 1952 and 1957 and was nominated for an impressive eight. "I Love Lucy" was during the four of its six seasons was the top rated show on television and was the first series in its final season to end its run at the top of the Nielsens(which was an accomplishment later only matched by "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1968 and "Seinfeld" in 1998).
The guest star roster of who's who of Hollywood greats appear on this series including the hilarious episode where "Lucy Meets Superman" played by George Reeves as Superman!!! And other Hollywood greats include appearances by Richard Widmark, John Wayne, William Holden, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Charles Boyer, Rock Hudson, Hedda Hopper, Van Johnson, Harpo Marx, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Orson Welles, Claude Akins, Joi Lansing and Cornel Wilde. Speaking of the greatest episodes from "I Love Lucy" there are several that are considered classics among them "Lucy Does A TV Commercial"(Season 1, Episode 30), "Lucy's Italian Movie"(Season 5, Episode 23); "Job Switching"(Season 2, Episode 1); "The Camping Trip"(Season 2, Episode 29); "Lucy Is Enceinte" (Season 2, Episode 10); "The Black Wig"(Season 3, Episode 26); "Hollywood at Last"(Season 4, Episode 16)are just some of the hilarious episodes this series had.
Even after 65 years "I Love Lucy" remains one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history and its a milestone that will never be surpassed or equaled. First you had Lucille Ball's astounding flair for comedy top it off with some of outlandish moments that even to this day still entertains. Happy 65th anniversary to one of the great sitcoms of all time....Here's to you Lucy!!!! -
ajlposh16 October 2006Who doesn't love Lucille Ball? She's funny, she's talented, she's beautiful. What can't this woman do? In I Love Lucy, we get to see Lucy at her utmost best. She is the main reason that this show is funny. She's had some great moments on this show, like the really long bread and the grape stomping. I can see why this is called one of the greatest shows of all time. She, Phyllis Diller,and Carol Burnett are the funniest women who have ever lived. I would have loved to meet Lucy, however, I'm only 15, so I wasn't even born yet when she died in 1989. Well, here's to the great Lucille Ball. We all love you Lucy. May God bless you.
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FilmCreature29 June 2007I admit it, not every episode is perfect. But most of them are. Lucille Ball will have you clutching your sides laughing in this classic comedy also starring, of course, her husband Desi Arnaz.
I just found the first season on DVD, and started watching it again, and I just love this show. I am only thirteen years of age, but this show still makes me laugh so hard. Lucille Ball is a legend, and Desi sings quite well, well enough that I don't have to skip over the singing scenes in embarrassment.
What makes Ball funny is her talent for making voices and hilarious expressions. That alone is enough to make you laugh, if not for the funny little comments exchanged between the Ricardos. Don't let the release date stop you: watch this show! -
bigverybadtom1 February 2024The Simpsons were originally a set of cartoon shorts on the Tracy Ullman Show, with essentially a standard family sitcom scenario of a dense husband, the smarter wife, and two kids who are meant to be smarter than the adults, as has been repeated in other comedies over the decades. What does this have to do with I Love Lucy? Homer Simpson, the husband, would end up becoming TOO stupid and alienating the fans. Similarly, Lucy Ricardo would become too much herself.
The show had the original scenario of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, the latter a Cuban immigrant who runs a musical band for a living, living in an apartment building next to their elderly neighbors the Mertzes. Lucy would get into a number of scrapes and would end up being bailed out by the others, often to their consternation. Later on in the series, Lucy and Ricky would end up having a baby son.
The show started well enough, but as time went on, Lucy would get into more and more ridiculous scrapes causing more and more headaches for everyone else, even making her husband think she was in mortal danger and causing him to panic, or trying to join his band as a singer when she couldn't sing. Lucy would evolve from being comical to becoming genuinely annoying. No shock that my elder sister did not love Lucy. -
SnoopyStyle20 October 2021It's the misadventures of Cuban band leader Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) and his wife Lucy (Lucille Ball). She always wants to get in on the act and always gets into all sorts of trouble. Their best friends are their neighbors Ethel (Vivian Vance) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley).
This is a classic TV sitcom. It's legendary and iconic. It's all Lucille Ball. She is the funniest woman alive of her era and a master of physical comedy. She has great facial expressions. She would be funny today. This is influential in the creation of the modern sitcom. It's still funny which isn't always the case for shows this old. Vivian Vance is a great sidekick. Desi Arnaz is a fine straight man. It's six years which transformed television. -
ItsJustSlater22 August 2022Lucy is the absolute worst. She's a conniving liar who constantly meddles in Ricky's work under some wild delusion that she has a modicum of talent. They even dedicated a whole episode to Lucy not being able to tell the truth for 24 hours. What a piece of scum that can't even go one day without lying. Even when caught in a lie she just keeps adding more lies.
She is one of the most passive aggressive people to ever slime their way across a TV screen. If she doesn't get what she wants she throws a tantrum and makes everyone's life hell until she gets it. She lives a privileged pampered life but plays the victim like she's married to a drunk who beats her senseless every day. She doesn't remotely deserve Ricky and is in serious need of a reality check.
More than once she calls Ricky claiming to be in mortal danger from an attacker just to see if Ricky "really loved" her and would rush to save her. She'd deserve every bit of it if something did happen to her, ala 'The Girl Who Cried Wolf'.
The real star of the show is Ricky and his unending patience. He's a real role model for a gentleman. Lucy however is a horrible role model for women. -
sychonic29 June 2000I want to echo all those who have praised Desi Arnaz--he was simply the best straight man in show business. Lucille Ball was incredibly funny, but when you watch her later series, there seems to be something missing--and it's of course Desi. He's hilarious, and as others have mentioned a real pioneer in TV production. Throw in his musical ability and he's hard to beat as performer by anyone (better than Jackie Gleason in my opinion).
As for the show itself, it's timeless. These days it's strange to watch MASH, All In The Family, Maude, they've all faded and seem hopelessly dated. Not so with I Love Lucy, it's just as funny today--no it doesn't deal with abortion, or teen suicide, it deals with funny people who are even funnier when they are together, who have great chemistry together and then the show puts them into genuinely funny situations. In todays politically correct world, one wonders if the thought police would have allowed Lucy to jab at Ricky's accent, or would require some sort of social message about Lucy's role as a housewife. Please. I tend to find more meaning in Ricky singing "I Love Lucy" or Lucy trying to sneak into Ricky's show down at the Tropicana after he's banned her than in all of Maude's tired feminist rants put together.