This early episode has always bugged me for the same reason that a number of first season episodes bug me (like "Lucy's Fake Illness" which was discussed here recently): so much of it doesn't make sense to me. But I think this is the most illogical episode of all. Here's what I don't understand:

1) In the scene where Lucy is on the phone calling Ethel, then Ethel comes in through the kitchen and starts talking to Lucy and Lucy thinks Ethel's talking to her over the phone -- because Ethel hasn't actually answered the phone, wouldn't Lucy still be hearing a ring tone on the phone? How could she think Ethel has answered the phone if there is still a ring tone?

2) How could Lucy think she could fool Ricky into thinking the voice on that record in the kitchen is hers and not a record coming from the kitchen? And is Ricky supposed to think there is also a hidden band playing in the apartment?

3) If Lucy is trying to remind Ricky of Cuba, why would she play a Carmen Miranda record, which is in Portuguese, not Spanish, and Carmen Miranda is associated with Brazil, not Cuba?

4) And why is the apartment decorated with Mexican sombreros and sarapes? What's this got to do with Cuba?

5) How could Ricky possibly not recognize Ethel?

6) Where did Lucy get that donkey and those other farm animals? The last time I was in Manhattan, I didn't see any of those animals anywhere. And it's not like Lucy drove out to a farm in the country to get them because she doesn't have a car!

7) Where did those little boys come from and how did she convince them to hang out in her bedroom and participate in this stunt? I'm sure they would much rather be out playing ball in Central Park.

8) If all this was Lucy's plan to keep Ricky interested in her, did she intend to lip sync to Carmen Miranda and have these little boys and animals hanging out in her apartment every day?

9) Where did she find the time and money to get all these decorations, costumes and animals, and to gather together this group of boys?

:brent :rofl:

Well put!!!! Thank you. I want to know those things myself. :lol: Although, you did prove in your observations that Ricky couldn't recognize Ethel, how dumb was that? So dumb that he forgot the word "pie" in that darn game show on that other thread! Yes, you proved I was right, he WAS DUMB! :lol:

Your observation abt the animals also makes you wonder, did she get them from the same place she got those chickens she had in the living room in MEN ARE MESSY? And how did she get those animals home? And with what money did she use to buy all those useless things? Her budget was horrible OBVIOUSLY FROM USING THE HOUSE BUDGET TO BUY ALL THESE GAGS. :lol:

Oh yes, you are so right abt the phone ringing. It wouldn't stop, so what is up with that? :crazy:

You know, even as a child, I was confused because of the mexican references made in episode and they kept mentioning Cuba. I was like, "Wait a minute, this is confusing." :rofl: I was thinking that Cuba was right next to Mexico.

:brent :rofl:

Well put!!!! Thank you. I want to know those things myself. :lol: Although, you did prove in your observations that Ricky couldn't recognize Ethel, how dumb was that? So dumb that he forgot the word "pie" in that darn game show on that other thread! Yes, you proved I was right, he WAS DUMB! :lol:

Your observation abt the animals also makes you wonder, did she get them from the same place she got those chickens she had in the living room in MEN ARE MESSY? And how did she get those animals home? And with what money did she use to buy all those useless things? Her budget was horrible OBVIOUSLY FROM USING THE HOUSE BUDGET TO BUY ALL THESE GAGS. :lol:

Oh yes, you are so right abt the phone ringing. It wouldn't stop, so what is up with that? :crazy:

You know, even as a child, I was confused because of the mexican references made in episode and they kept mentioning Cuba. I was like, "Wait a minute, this is confusing." :rofl: I was thinking that Cuba was right next to Mexico.


You make me laugh! :brent But yeah, you would think that after all those years of being married to Ricky, Lucy would have some idea of the differences between Cuban and Mexican and Brazilian culture and language. Actually, I'm surprised Desi himself, being a proud Cuban, didn't say to the writers, "Hey, wait a minute! This is totally goofy!"

Great points, Rick and Irene! This episode was filled with flaws and stereotyping. It's things like this that help people to think that anyone who speaks Spanish in Mexican.

This is another great example of Lucy's outrageous expenditures and going to great lengths to pull a prank. I always wonder where she get items, how she gets them in the apartment, and how she gets rid of them. :crazy:

Her budget was horrible OBVIOUSLY FROM USING THE HOUSE BUDGET TO BUY ALL THESE GAGS. :lol:
:yeahthat :rofl:

I think we agree that this episode was probably thee most flawed of all the episodes? or can we find another? :lol:


Those little boys. Who are their parents and why would they allow some zany redhead to take them to her house? CRAZY PEOPLE!!!


I'll tell you what though, this episode taught me the right order regarding Poker. :lol:

All of the above of course, but also, she was LUCY with Gracie Allen's daffiness and illogic taken one step further; Lucy didn't have to make sense; and this provided a great excuse for eps rife with inacurracies and inconsistencies.

Those are all great (and funny) points!
I think, though, if I remember correctly, didn't Lucy have a party line on her telephone, at least for awhile? That could be why she could think Ethel was on the phone...because those were sometimes dead air when you picked them up. Some party lines just connected right through and you never heard a dial tone or ringing sound, you just heard the person you were calling answer. All you heard when you first picked it up was either people talking (if someone else in your "party" was using the phone) or dead air (if it was available). She would have had to either forget to dial Ethel's number or not dial it completely, though.

But the rest of your points...well...:lol:

Or actually I guess Lucy wouldn't have heard anything on the phone either if Fred just didn't answer or hadn't answered yet. Just realized that. :lol:

Those are all great (and funny) points!
I think, though, if I remember correctly, didn't Lucy have a party line on her telephone, at least for awhile? That could be why she could think Ethel was on the phone...because those were sometimes dead air when you picked them up. Some party lines just connected right through and you never heard a dial tone or ringing sound, you just heard the person you were calling answer. All you heard when you first picked it up was either people talking (if someone else in your "party" was using the phone) or dead air (if it was available). She would have had to either forget to dial Ethel's number or not dial it completely, though.

But the rest of your points...well...:lol:

I wasn't around back in those days, so I don't know what it was like having party lines, but your explanation about the dead air and what could have happened with her not dialing the complete number (or forgetting the number) makes sense. I guess that could happen even now if you don't dial a complete number. But I would think that, as often as Lucy called Ethel, she would have been so used to dialing her number that she wouldn't forget to dial any of the digits.

I wasn't around back in those days, so I don't know what it was like having party lines,
Hey!! What are you trying to say??!! :lol: No, I'm kidding...but just to set the record straight, I wasn't really either. They were still around a little bit in the 70's when I was a kid but they were rare by then. Just felt the need to clarify that I'm not 80 years old. :lol:

Hey!! What are you trying to say??!! :lol: No, I'm kidding...but just to set the record straight, I wasn't really either. They were still around a little bit in the 70's when I was a kid but they were rare by then. Just felt the need to clarify that I'm not 80 years old. :lol:

Oh, I wasn't trying to imply anything about your age. :crazy: I was a kid in the '70s as well and once our phone "accidentally" became part of a party line. I was with some friends of mine and we picked up my phone and there was a conversation already going on between some other kids we didn't even know. We started talking to see if they could hear us and they could. Soon some other kids we didn't know got tied into this line and it literally turned into a party. Then there an some adult woman who was trying to make a phone call and also got tied into our party. She wanted us all to hang up so she could make her call and not have an audience, but we wouldn't so she was pretty angry. The rest of us all laughed and talked trash about her. It was fun! :lol: I always wanted that to happen again, but it never did.

I think he knew it wasn't Lucy singing but was just going along with it by then because he was so shocked.

Maybe she got the animals from the same place she got the elephant. LOL

You know, even as a child, I was confused because of the mexican references made in episode and they kept mentioning Cuba. I was like, "Wait a minute, this is confusing." :rofl: I was thinking that Cuba was right next to Mexico.
The writers and producers probably didn't think anyone would notice and think mexican references were the same as cuba since people spoke spanish in Mexico and Cuba.

Great points, Rick and Irene! This episode was filled with flaws and stereotyping. It's things like this that help people to think that anyone who speaks Spanish in Mexican.

Very true. This kind of stuff -- stereotypes and such -- drives me crazy. I've attached some pictures of traditional Cuban hats, which look nothing like Mexican sombreros. And for the record, besides not wearing Mexican clothing, Cubans also do not typically go around singing in Portuguese, or keep mules and chickens in their living rooms. :lol:

Very true. This kind of stuff -- stereotypes and such -- drives me crazy. I've attached some pictures of traditional Cuban hats, which look nothing like Mexican sombreros. And for the record, besides not wearing Mexican clothing, Cubans also do not typically go around singing in Portuguese, or keep mules and chickens in their living rooms. :lol:
Thank you. Do people in Switzerland wear those goofy outfits that Fred and Ethel wore when they got the wrong outfits for mountain climbing? No, of course not. :lol: Just like not all mexicans don't wear sombreros or wear large hats. :rofl: I am of mexican heritage and my grandparents were from Mexico. But I have never had any family member wear a pancho or anything like that. :lol: I remember in the GOOD TIMES thread where we were chatting abt how the family just happened to have African garb at their disposal for a dinner that was being thrown by an African exchange student. I couldn't help but :rofl: because I asked the posters on the board who are black, do you all have African garb in your closet? :lol: They said, "No" and then I responded, "just like I don't have a mariachi outfit in my closet, nor do I have a large sombrero or pancho in mine." That comment made the posters laugh.

Thank you. Do people in Switzerland wear those goofy outfits that Fred and Ethel wore when they got the wrong outfits for mountain climbing? No, of course not. :lol: Just like not all mexicans don't wear sombreros or wear large hats. :rofl: I am of mexican heritage and my grandparents were from Mexico. But I have never had any family member wear a pancho or anything like that. :lol: I remember in the GOOD TIMES thread where we were chatting abt how the family just happened to have African garb at their disposal for a dinner that was being thrown by an African exchange student. I couldn't help but :rofl: because I asked the posters on the board who are black, do you all have African garb in your closet? :lol: They said, "No" and then I responded, "just like I don't have a mariachi outfit in my closet, nor do I have a large sombrero or pancho in mine." That comment made the posters laugh.

Are you sure about this, Irene? But I could have sworn this guy was your brother. :brent

Are you sure about this, Irene? But I could have sworn this guy was your brother. :brent
:brent :rofl:

Very true. This kind of stuff -- stereotypes and such -- drives me crazy. I've attached some pictures of traditional Cuban hats, which look nothing like Mexican sombreros. And for the record, besides not wearing Mexican clothing, Cubans also do not typically go around singing in Portuguese, or keep mules and chickens in their living rooms. :lol:

And what about the "Cuban" dishes Lucy mentioned she would be serving for the fiesta? I think some of them might be Mexican, not Cuban. Here's her list: tacos, tamales, enchiladas, frijoles, guacamole. She also mentioned two other things I am not sure of: waco tacos, and huevos ranchitos, but she pronounced the word before ranchitos strangely so I'm not sure what she said. I am pretty sure that tacos are a Mexican dish.

I am surprised that Desi allowed this blatant stereotyping of the Latin culture. He was very conscious of his role on television being one of the first Hispanic characters in a starring role. I remember hearing that he demanded a script to be re-written because it called for Ricky to fib on his taxes. Desi didn't want to give the idea that Latinos cheat on their taxes. He was very sensitive to being a role model.

Does anyone recall what script that could be? I vaguely remember a scene where the Ricardos discuss their taxes, but I can't place it.

And what about the "Cuban" dishes Lucy mentioned she would be serving for the fiesta? I think some of them might be Mexican, not Cuban. Here's her list: tacos, tamales, enchiladas, frijoles, guacamole. She also mentioned two other things I am not sure of: waco tacos, and huevos ranchitos, but she pronounced the word before ranchitos strangely so I'm not sure what she said. I am pretty sure that tacos are a Mexican dish.

You mean you've never had Cuban tacos? :lol: You are so right about that. Cuban food is one of my favorite cuisines. When I was living in DC, I literally had Cuban food at least three times a week. And no, there were no tacos, tamales, enchiladas or guacamole on the menu!

I am surprised that Desi allowed this blatant stereotyping of the Latin culture. He was very conscious of his role on television being one of the first Hispanic characters in a starring role. I remember hearing that he demanded a script to be re-written because it called for Ricky to fib on his taxes. Desi didn't want to give the idea that Latinos cheat on their taxes. He was very sensitive to being a role model.

Does anyone recall what script that could be? I vaguely remember a scene where the Ricardos discuss their taxes, but I can't place it.

The episode was "Lucy Tells the Truth." It was supposed to end with Ricky lying to the IRS, and Lucy getting even with him by telling the truth to the IRS.

The episode was "Lucy Tells the Truth." It was supposed to end with Ricky lying to the IRS, and Lucy getting even with him by telling the truth to the IRS.

Thank you, Rick! I've been scratching my brain with an 18" Q-Tip for over an hour! :crazy: I remembered hearing about it, checked my books and re-watched the episode, and then I finally remembered the info was included in the bonus section of season 3, disc one.

That one would have kept me on the edge of insanity for days, so thanks for releasing me from torturing myself! :wave:

Thank you, Rick! I've been scratching my brain with an 18" Q-Tip for over an hour! :crazy: I remembered hearing about it, checked my books and re-watched the episode, and then I finally remembered the info was included in the bonus section of season 3, disc one.

That one would have kept me on the edge of insanity for days, so thanks for releasing me from torturing myself! :wave:

Wow, an 18" Q-Tip! You can imagine the image I have right now of your ears! :lol:

And what about the "Cuban" dishes Lucy mentioned she would be serving for the fiesta? I think some of them might be Mexican, not Cuban. Here's her list: tacos, tamales, enchiladas, frijoles, guacamole. She also mentioned two other things I am not sure of: waco tacos, and huevos ranchitos, but she pronounced the word before ranchitos strangely so I'm not sure what she said. I am pretty sure that tacos are a Mexican dish.

I am surprised that Desi allowed this blatant stereotyping of the Latin culture. He was very conscious of his role on television being one of the first Hispanic characters in a starring role. I remember hearing that he demanded a script to be re-written because it called for Ricky to fib on his taxes. Desi didn't want to give the idea that Latinos cheat on their taxes. He was very sensitive to being a role model.

Does anyone recall what script that could be? I vaguely remember a scene where the Ricardos discuss their taxes, but I can't place it.
You obviously know your dishes and culture. ;) What I find hypocritical was Desi allowing himself to be seen spanking Lucy on the air, trying to control her by telling her to be a housewife, etc. YET, didn't want to look like a cheating Latino...:rofl: What message was that sending to the viewers?

You obviously know your dishes and culture. ;) What I find hypocritical was Desi allowing himself to be seen spanking Lucy on the air, trying to control her by telling her to be a housewife, etc. YET, didn't want to look like a cheating Latino...:rofl: What message was that sending to the viewers?

Yep! That was a bad image, even in jest. :(