In "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her" :::

1. Ricky is distraught because Lucy is acting nervous whenever he is around, and tries to avoid him. Fred suggests that Ricky 'slip (her) a mickey,' as this seems to have worked on Ethel in similar circumstances -- i.e., when she is anxious/uppity. He infers that the pill will knock her out or at least cause her worries to dissipate, then actually hands a mickey to Ricky {hey, it rhymes!}.
Keep in mind that I have not seen this episode in a couple of years, but as far as I can recall, this is how it went.

And they say that today's TV gets away with all kinds of things. Can you IMAGINE anything even remotely resembling this scenario in one of today's oh-so-nauseatingly PC times!?!? Certainly not on a sitcom playing in Prime Time. NEVER!!

2. Does it strike anyone else as odd in having this episode (its content) as the premiere? IMO, this seems to be a very bold move/choice as a first script, even though it is played for laughs. I can think of other episodes from Season One that would serve as more innocuous ways of introducing the Fab Four to viewers.

Opinions?

It was the first episoded FILMED, it was not the first episode AIRED.

THE GIRLS WANT TO GO TO A NIGHTCLUB - 10/15/51

BE A PAL - 10/22/51

THE DIET - 10/29/51

LUCY THINKS RICKY IS TRYING TO MURDER HER - 11/5/51

I've never been BIG on this episode, does anyone know if it was lifted from My Favorite Husband as many eps were?:confused:

I've never been BIG on this episode, does anyone know if it was lifted from My Favorite Husband as many eps were?:confused:
Yes it was.

Oh, well that makes more sense, but I still think it's an oddball episode, although Lucy dodging Ricky in the kitchen with the pots and pans under her robe really cracks me up.

It did for me too, until i kept seeing that flub where you see Lucy loosening the thing so it will drop easily, LOL!

I don't care when it aired, that was a ridiculous episode. Thinking your husband is going to murder you? Dear God, give me a break. That thought would never cross my mind. I don't need a reminder that it's a tv show and a comedy either. The show was still based in reality in regards to their marriage and life, so it made zero sense. Stupid, stupid, stupid episode.

Yes but, she got the idea from reading a book, that's why she jumped to conclusions. I don't think it was an oddball episode.

It's what they did back then, VERY BROAD comedy, and they were just starting out and experimenting. I'm just glad they got their act together by the time The Fur Coat came along later in that season.

Yes but, she got the idea from reading a book, that's why she jumped to conclusions. I don't think it was an oddball episode.
I forgot about her getting the idea from a book. :lol: Remember when she told Ethel she thought he was trying to kill her and Ethel just left her there? That was odd too.

Hey, when your biggest laugh is I GOT A MICKEY FROM RICKY, you know it's not your best work, LOL!

I think also with the oddball editing this episode seems to have (the close-up of the hand locking the door?!?!) and the addition of the 4th camera, put together with it being filmed straight without a stop makes the timing of "Lucy Thinks Ricky ...." off some.

No argument there, not one of the best, when shows start out like that, they have to learn as they go along and they sure did, better shows followed and by the end of the first season they had things going perfectly.

It's what they did back then, VERY BROAD comedy, and they were just starting out and experimenting.

I've been saying essentially the same thing about ILL for a long time; that at first they basically followed the example of the comedy shorts-- like the Three Stooges and Edgar Kennedy-- which strained for the big belly laughs with every feature. But after the first season ILL writers knew they didn't have to have it played so broad, that the character comedy could mostly carry the show, still with regular doses of Lucy's schemes and antics that make it only a step below believability. They didn't have to bring jackasses and elephants into the apartment any more (besides, after '52 there wasn't a major election) or have 8-foot loaves of bread.

White Rabbit, it dawned on me why you thought "Lucy thinks Ricky want to murder her" was the first episode. In syndication, this episode seems to be the first episode shown, depending what channel airs it. I have seen this particular episode aired first while I have seen "the girls want to go to a nightclub" episode aired first.

Anyhoo, I remember a thread we made here on the ILL board abt all the things the fab four did that can be considered criminal. We came up with a very long list, which included the murder episode all the way to selling meat without a license. :lol:

Also, I have read where few people were not happy with the scenes where Ricky either spanked Lucy or he gave the impression she would "get it later." Lucy mentioned things such as the furniture episode where she'd rather have a big hole in the living room rather than one in her head. :lol:

White Rabbit, it dawned on me why you thought "Lucy thinks Ricky want to murder her" was the first episode. In syndication, this episode seems to be the first episode shown, depending what channel airs it. I have seen this particular episode aired first while I have seen "the girls want to go to a nightclub" episode aired first.

Anyhoo, I remember a thread we made here on the ILL board abt all the things the fab four did that can be considered criminal. We came up with a very long list, which included the murder episode all the way to selling meat without a license. :lol:

Also, I have read where few people were not happy with the scenes where Ricky either spanked Lucy or he gave the impression she would "get it later." Lucy mentioned things such as the furniture episode where she'd rather have a big hole in the living room rather than one in her head. :lol:


Yes, indeed, Irene. I think you and many others have a good handle on this ep and what it means in the ILL canon. It definitely strikes the viewer as a "work in progress." They could have done worse, but Lord knows there were far, far superior ILL episodes out there.

I am also reminded of that squeaky, higher-pitched, cracks-every-few-seconds silly voice Lucy uses in the very early shows. I heard that this was their attempt to have Lucy appear younger than she was. Eeek, what a mistake.

I like the fact that there was another episode in which she also became highly suggestible to the contents of a book: When she is bugged out by the thought of a hostile American Indian attack, and convinces Ethel of the same.

Now if you will all excuse me, I would like to depart in order to consult my library and jump to severe, delusional conclusions.....

The great thing about I Love Lucy is even at its worse ..... it is still 100-times better than most of the comedies on today!

Exactly, comedies like According to Jim just go on and on but they lack one thing, laughter or real funny scenes.

Yes, indeed, Irene. I think you and many others have a good handle on this ep and what it means in the ILL canon. It definitely strikes the viewer as a "work in progress." They could have done worse, but Lord knows there were far, far superior ILL episodes out there.

I am also reminded of that squeaky, higher-pitched, cracks-every-few-seconds silly voice Lucy uses in the very early shows. I heard that this was their attempt to have Lucy appear younger than she was. Eeek, what a mistake.

I like the fact that there was another episode in which she also became highly suggestible to the contents of a book: When she is bugged out by the thought of a hostile American Indian attack, and convinces Ethel of the same.

Now if you will all excuse me, I would like to depart in order to consult my library and jump to severe, delusional conclusions.....
:lol:

Well said. ;)

There was another suggestion made by a book. Remember when the Ricardos were reading a book abt Madge and her husband, while doing so the Mertzes overheard the dialogue as Lucy read it and they assumed Ricky had hit Lucy, causing the black eye they later seen her with. Even Ricky told Ethel, "Surely you don't think I'd ever hit Lucy do you?" :lol:

The earlier episodes are definitely filled with antics that are over the top indeed.

Not too many shows like ILL around. ILL still airs after 50 years.

It does? Never knew it was still ON. I remember listening to the radio version of t, My Favorite Husband on Radio Land, but that was before radio Land went to stinky dramas and i stopped listening.:lol:

Exactly, comedies like According to Jim just go on and on but they lack one thing, laughter or real funny scenes.
Ick! I can't stand that show.

I only sat through it one time, that was enough for me. No comedy interests me in the new ones i mean, i watch Family Guy but that's a cartoon and the only resons that one makes me laugh is because it's totally off the wall and so vicious in it's humor.

What about Scrubs? That's pretty good.

I got sick of Scrubbs after one or two seasons, always the same thing, like King of Queens.

Boy, you're a hard sell. :lol:

Hey, i was weined on the best,. LUCY, so she's a tough act to follow, LOL!

In "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her" :::

1. Ricky is distraught because Lucy is acting nervous whenever he is around, and tries to avoid him. Fred suggests that Ricky 'slip (her) a mickey,' as this seems to have worked on Ethel in similar circumstances -- i.e., when she is anxious/uppity. He infers that the pill will knock her out or at least cause her worries to dissipate, then actually hands a mickey to Ricky {hey, it rhymes!}.
Keep in mind that I have not seen this episode in a couple of years, but as far as I can recall, this is how it went.

And they say that today's TV gets away with all kinds of things. Can you IMAGINE anything even remotely resembling this scenario in one of today's oh-so-nauseatingly PC times!?!? Certainly not on a sitcom playing in Prime Time. NEVER!!

2. Does it strike anyone else as odd in having this episode (its content) as the premiere? IMO, this seems to be a very bold move/choice as a first script, even though it is played for laughs. I can think of other episodes from Season One that would serve as more innocuous ways of introducing the Fab Four to viewers.

Opinions?

It is a bit disconcerting...but this is also the same show that depicts a television set's screen being kicked in with a shoe...not the wisest idea.

Even worse...I have a 1940s episode of the radio program Fibber Mcgee and Molly, which became famous for its ads for Johnson's Wax...the middle commerical was always integrated into that week's storyline somehow, and it always started with a visit by Harlow Wilcox.

In this particular episode, where an abandoned jalopy is found in front of the Mcgee's home, Harlow Wilcox makes his weekly visit, and gleefully tells the tale of a housewife who shot her husband in the leg out of anger...after discovering that, for years, he had purposely failed to tell her how easy waxing her kitchen linoleum would be if she bought a can of Johnson's Glo-Coat!

It is a bit disconcerting...but this is also the same show that depicts a television set's screen being kicked in with a shoe...not the wisest idea.

Even worse...I have a 1940s episode of the radio program Fibber Mcgee and Molly, which became famous for its ads for Johnson's Wax...the middle commerical was always integrated into that week's storyline somehow, and it always started with a visit by Harlow Wilcox.

In this particular episode, where an abandoned jalopy is found in front of the Mcgee's home, Harlow Wilcox makes his weekly visit, and gleefully tells the tale of a housewife who shot her husband in the leg out of anger...after discovering that, for years, he had purposely failed to tell her how easy waxing her kitchen linoleum would be if she bought a can of Johnson's Glo-Coat!
^^Sounds like that was the beginning of infomercials. :lol:

I never knew what "slipping a mickey" meant so I just looked it up. It means giving someone a drink with a drug in it to make the person pass out or become immobile. A "Micky Finn". I am surprised that wasn't another of Mrs. McGillicuddy's names for Ricky seeing she never could get his name right! :lol:

It was I Love Lucy who taught me what "Slipping a mickey" was all abt. :lol:

White Rabbit, it dawned on me why you thought "Lucy thinks Ricky want to murder her" was the first episode. In syndication, this episode seems to be the first episode shown, depending what channel airs it. I have seen this particular episode aired first while I have seen "the girls want to go to a nightclub" episode aired first.

Nick at Nite aired "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her" as the first episode. When I taped Lucy off of N@N, it was first. That's where it's place in my Lucy tape collection. There was no doubt that it was the first one, in my mind. Then one day I read the broadcast order and was shocked to learn that it didn't air first. I still consider it to be the first episode. But of course, I consider the second aired episode of "The Munsters" as the first episode because it was produced first. :) However, when "Lucy" came to TV Land, they aired it as the fourth episode. I remember not liking how they switched the order.

I believe they decided not to air this episode first because it didn't best represent the four characters. They felt "Lucy Wants to Go to a Night Club" would be a better introduction for them. I read that somewhere, I just don't remember where.

Also, I used to love "Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her", but now, I can't stand the episode. It is too ridiculous.

Here is the actual information regarding that Adam, from my I LOVE LUCY book this is what was said abt the airing of those episodes:

The first "Lucy" that went out over the CBS network facilities was not LUCY THINKS RICKY IS TRYING TO MURDER HER, the first segment shot (on September 8). Because of technical problems inherent in it, including the awkward use of four cameras instead of 3, Jess (Oppenheimer) and the others chose the second installment instead as the premiere episode titled THE GIRLS WANT TO GO TO A NIGHTCLUB.

Here is the actual information regarding that Adam, from my I LOVE LUCY book this is what was said abt the airing of those episodes:

The first "Lucy" that went out over the CBS network facilities was not LUCY THINKS RICKY IS TRYING TO MURDER HER, the first segment shot (on September 8). Because of technical problems inherent in it, including the awkward use of four cameras instead of 3, Jess (Oppenheimer) and the others chose the second installment instead as the premiere episode titled THE GIRLS WANT TO GO TO A NIGHTCLUB.

Huh. Well that doesn't sound a whole lot like I said it, lol. I tend to remember things wrong sometimes. :)

Sometimes I'll watch a show and think to myself "That's not how I remember that scene!" :lol:

Huh. Well that doesn't sound a whole lot like I said it, lol. I tend to remember things wrong sometimes. :)

Sometimes I'll watch a show and think to myself "That's not how I remember that scene!" :lol:
:lol: I know what you mean. We all do that from time to time. I wasn't sure myself abt the airing of the first episode. Thank goodness for my ILL book because I can't remember everything abt ILL. :lol: ;)

:lol: I know what you mean. We all do that from time to time. I wasn't sure myself abt the airing of the first episode. Thank goodness for my ILL book because I can't remember everything abt ILL. :lol: ;)

What Lucy book is it? I have one that's a big book. It's a huge episode guide, where each episode gets two pages. It includes the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour episodes. It also has a section on Lucy merchandise. Is yours the same as mine?

What Lucy book is it? I have one that's a big book. It's a huge episode guide, where each episode gets two pages. It includes the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour episodes. It also has a section on Lucy merchandise. Is yours the same as mine?
It's the Bart Andrews book. It is yellow and has the episode guides as well as the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour episode info too.

I know this thread is about the very first episode that aired, but I was wondering if anybody knew when the pilot episode (advertised as "The Very First Show" on VHS) was filmed...since, of course, that episode was never shown on television back in the 50's. I have the pilot on tape, but the only date listed on the back cover is October 15, 1951, which is when "The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub" originally aired.

I know this thread is about the very first episode that aired, but I was wondering if anybody knew when the pilot episode (advertised as "The Very First Show" on VHS) was filmed...since, of course, that episode was never shown on television back in the 50's. I have the pilot on tape, but the only date listed on the back cover is October 15, 1951, which is when "The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub" originally aired.
So are you saying you have an episode that has never aired?

So are you saying you have an episode that has never aired?
Well, I'm sure it was shown on TV at some point, but on the front cover it says "Lost for over 40 years!"...this is the tape I'm talking about:
http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Very-First/dp/6303095194/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=video&qid=1212821723&sr=1-6

I have that episode on VHS, though I haven't watched it in a long time. It is the same basic story as "The Audition," but absent Fred and Ethel (who hadn't been cast, or the need for their roles decided upon), and the apartment sets are more in tune with variety show skits-- that is, less convincing. But they do the same routine of Ricky shaving while Lucy is pestering him about the television show he will be doing, saying 'George Burns has his wife on his show with him; wouldn't that be a good thing for you too, dear?' Ricky says, 'It sure would-- do you think she would leave George?' And Lucy nubs him, making him cut himself, and he looks around saying he is looking for his ear, and Lucy says 'You didn't really lose an ear" and he says, "Eh-- what's that?' and more such nonsense. But they also laugh at themselves, I would say, to the extent they don't really stay in character, especially in the "Professor" and the cello part.

It's good to see the first conception (though it may have already been refined some) of what the show was to be about, and to see as ingenious the changes and additions they made to create the pioneer sitcom which is still enjoyed more than a half-century later.

I know this thread is about the very first episode that aired, but I was wondering if anybody knew when the pilot episode (advertised as "The Very First Show" on VHS) was filmed...since, of course, that episode was never shown on television back in the 50's. I have the pilot on tape, but the only date listed on the back cover is October 15, 1951, which is when "The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub" originally aired.
The pilot was filmed on March 2, 1951. ;)

The pilot was filmed on March 2, 1951. ;)
Thanks Irene! Oh, and not that I don't trust you when it comes to Lucy info, but just out of curiosity, where did you get that date from?

Love the avatar by the way! :lol:

Thanks Irene! Oh, and not that I don't trust you when it comes to Lucy info, but just out of curiosity, where did you get that date from?

Love the avatar by the way! :lol:
Thanks. :lol: I am getting several compliments for my avatar. I think I should put the name of the person who made it for me, in my siggy. BruceWillisfan made it for me. Isn't it a riot? :lol:

As for the information, I got it from my ILL book. There is a whole chapter and pics of that pilot. When I get a chance, I will make post info from that chapter here for everyone. ;)

Oh what a pretty cover for that book. :)

Here is a link to Amazon that features the book I have. Check it out as you click on the book, you can actually LOOK INSIDE what the book has. I have never seen this kind of feature before...FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Book-Bart-Andrews/dp/0385190336

That's pretty cool! Technology, what will they think of next? :lol:

I've got a paperback by Bart Andrews that has a picture of the four of them on it. I wonder if this is the same book or not.

Bart Andrews' book was first released in the mid-1970s as "Lucy and Ricky and Fred and Ethel." Then he updated the book, including more information on the episodes, info on the pilot, and information and a chapter on the hour shows in 1984 or 1985 called "The 'I Love Lucy' Book." It use to be the considered the Bible of "Lucy" TV shows, however since the time Bart did his research much more information has come to light and the book is a good start and base for ILL information, but not the holy grail it once was. Still a fun book to read. In my opinion the best book to get information on Lucy's TV career is "The Lucy Book" by Geoffrey Fidelman.

Wow, that is really cool...thanks for the link!
You are welcome. ;)

a visit by Harlow Wilcox.

That guy did more than ads for AutoLite? You can hear him pitching AutoLite Stay Flow Batteries during Lucy and Desi's 2 Suspense episodes.

I don't care when it aired, that was a ridiculous episode. Thinking your husband is going to murder you? Dear God, give me a break. That thought would never cross my mind. I don't need a reminder that it's a tv show and a comedy either. The show was still based in reality in regards to their marriage and life, so it made zero sense. Stupid, stupid, stupid episode.


It's not as ridiculous as you think. Does the name Lacy Peterson ring a bell? And what about the little boy who SAW
his father kill his mother? He was talking about blood being
everywhere, and saying that "Mommy broke the table!"
And the man who did this was a COP! So, as sad as it is,
in the world we live in today, some spouses do live in fear.
However, getting back to this ILL episode, if Lucy was
truly afraid, why did she STAY there? I'd be getting the
heck out of there!

It's not as ridiculous as you think. Does the name Lacy Peterson ring a bell? And what about the little boy who SAW
his father kill his mother? He was talking about blood being
everywhere, and saying that "Mommy broke the table!"
And the man who did this was a COP! So, as sad as it is,
in the world we live in today, some spouses do live in fear.
However, getting back to this ILL episode, if Lucy was
truly afraid, why did she STAY there? I'd be getting the
heck out of there!
Wow! Talking abt Lucy to some murders...what a change of topic. :eek:

The early episodes were based on the radio show Lucille Ball did. It was not based on reality or how Lucy or Desi lived. It was early television. There was no precedent as to how tv sitcoms should be or not be. It was all abt entertainment and taking it to a place where Americans could easily laugh at because they don't identify with the zaniness. That is what Orson Welles did with his War of the Worlds. It was a radio play merely to entertain, but it got out of hand because of those who did not hear the disclaimer that is was merely a radio show.

I remember my father telling me how people listened to the radio to have laughs, be entertained, hear radio shows where some things just seemed "out there" but it made for some fun time.

ILL needed scripts and decided to review the radio show scripts. As a matter of fact for those who don't know, Desi was not to have been on ILL. Lucy demanded he be in the show or there would be no ILL. The producers did not think Desi would work well since he was Cuban and the husband on the radio show was obviously NOT.

That guy did more than ads for AutoLite? You can hear him pitching AutoLite Stay Flow Batteries during Lucy and Desi's 2 Suspense episodes.

Yes..Harlow Wilcox did the "middle commercial" for Fibber McGee and Molly from the show's beginning in 1935 till the end of the 30 minute episodes in 1953. Aside from the commercials, he also was occasionally involved in the storyline..

1935-50 for Johnson's Wax
1950-52 for Pet Milk
1952-53 for Reynolds Aluminum..

Wilcox was as much a cast member as any of the other "visitors" to the McGee Residence from week to week.

Fibber McGee and Molly went to a 15-minute daily format from 1953-56 and finally ended as 5-minute comedy sketches for NBC Monitor (Called Molly and Me) from 1957-59..ending just before the 1959-60 NBC-TV series, which flopped miserably..

Yes..Harlow Wilcox did the "middle commercial" for Fibber McGee and Moly from the show's beginning in 1935 till the end of the 30 minute episodes in 1953. Aside from the commercials, he also was occasionally involved in the storyline..

1935-50 for Johnson's Wax
1950-52 for Pet Milk
1952-53 for Reynolds Aluminum..

Wilcox was as much a cast member as any of the other "visitors" to the McGee Residence from week to week.

Fibber McGee and Molly went to a 15-minute daily format from 1953-56 and finally ended as 5-minute comedy sketches for NBC Monitor (Called Molly and Me) from 1957-59..ending just before the 1959-60 NBC-TV series, which flopped miserably..
Cool...thanks for the info.