ethelmaepotter
11-10-2009, 11:32 AM
I am an avid Lucy fan. I LOVE Lucy...and of course, Ethel too! I haven't seen Here's Lucy in ages and I was excited to see this series come out on DVD. While I am certain I will purchase every season of Here's Lucy, I have to say, these shows simply are not Lucy at her best. When Vivian Vance makes a guest appearance it is always golden. There have been a few guest stars who have made a splash, but the average "Here's Lucy" episode seems to be missing something. Of course, by this point, Lucy had been on TV for two decades and over 300 episodes of series to her credit, but what it seems is that this series is basically a rehashing of episodes from "I Love Lucy" or "The Lucy Show".
I've been watching season 2 and I can't not understand what all the excitement and raves were about regarding the "road" shows. The two episode installment of Lucy going to the Air Force Academy had a few high points but it seemed a little trite and forced. Even Lucy herself admitted without a live studio audience she just didn't come alive. The one where she married the Indian Chief was just sort of silly and a bit lethargic.
I think the surprise of this series is Desi Arnaz Jr. In many ways, he has gestures and facial responses like his father, and when there are scenes with just him and Lucy, it harkens back somewhat to the days of "I Love Lucy" when Lucy was trying to convince Ricky her madcap zaniness was justified. Also, Gale Gordon is not as blustery as Mr. Mooney. His character in "Here's Lucy" leans occasionally towards the Ethel Mertz character, an unwilling accomplice which makes for some good moments.
Again, I LOVE Lucy, but "Here's Lucy" seems to be just a winding down of Lucy's reign as the Queen of Comedy. For my tastes, "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" are Lucy at her best.
I've been watching season 2 and I can't not understand what all the excitement and raves were about regarding the "road" shows. The two episode installment of Lucy going to the Air Force Academy had a few high points but it seemed a little trite and forced. Even Lucy herself admitted without a live studio audience she just didn't come alive. The one where she married the Indian Chief was just sort of silly and a bit lethargic.
I think the surprise of this series is Desi Arnaz Jr. In many ways, he has gestures and facial responses like his father, and when there are scenes with just him and Lucy, it harkens back somewhat to the days of "I Love Lucy" when Lucy was trying to convince Ricky her madcap zaniness was justified. Also, Gale Gordon is not as blustery as Mr. Mooney. His character in "Here's Lucy" leans occasionally towards the Ethel Mertz character, an unwilling accomplice which makes for some good moments.
Again, I LOVE Lucy, but "Here's Lucy" seems to be just a winding down of Lucy's reign as the Queen of Comedy. For my tastes, "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show" are Lucy at her best.