Did Ethel and Fred smoke?

I don't think they did, yet in an early Season 3 episode they did.
Would this been a blooper?

In the first 2 years, I never saw either of them smoke.
The Season 3 episode I am referring to is the one where Lucy & Ethel want equal rights and later in the episode they end up washing dishes to pay for their meal.

I know for a fact that Lucy's character smoked because I distinctly remember at least 3 episodes where she did.

I know for a fact that Lucy's character smoked because I distinctly remember at least 3 episodes where she did.
Lucy and Ricky smoked a lot more than just in three episodes. They smoked cigarettes a lot.

Keep in mind that Philip Morris was the show's sponsor for the first couple years. At that time the standard practice for shows was having a single sponsor that had a fair amount of creative control. So product placement was huge in that era, right down to Lucy doing a parody of the Philip Morris bellhop in "Lucy Does a TV Commercial." I think they did some promo spots with the real bellhop as well that appears as an extra on the DVDs.

Keep in mind that Philip Morris was the show's sponsor for the first couple years. At that time the standard practice for shows was having a single sponsor that had a fair amount of creative control. So product placement was huge in that era, right down to Lucy doing a parody of the Philip Morris bellhop in "Lucy Does a TV Commercial." I think they did some promo spots with the real bellhop as well that appears as an extra on the DVDs.

It's a deep contrast to today's shows, where they generally stay away from product placement, at least that's what I've noticed.
Unless, they are helping to keep the show alive. One Tree Hill did a bunch of product placements like Secret, Sunkist, etc. Of course One Tree Hill was always on the bubble!! :lol:
I believe there was controversy over one of The Flintstones' sponsors which was a cigar or cigarette company?
They smoked quite a bit on TV back then. You don't see that as much today unless you're watching Mad Men or something!! :lol:

Lucy, and especially Ricky smoked regularly.

Quite often the foursome after dinner, Lucy & Ricky would smoke while Ethel & Fred didn't.
That is why I was surprised in this particular episode, seeing all of them lighting cigarettes.

The MAJORITY of adult males smoked in the 1950's, probably 70% or more. Probably 50% of women (or more) also smoked. This probably held into the early 1970's. I remember in the 1970's when people were allowed to smoke most anywhere they want except for church or pumping gas.

Airplanes, restaurants, inside of malls (into the 1980's). Just anywhere and everywhere. Not anymore. What was probably over 60% of adults who smoked back in the 1950's has probably fallen to about 20%. Wouldn't surprise me much if by the next generation and for sure by the mid-century, cigarette smoking will be a thing of the past.

The MAJORITY of adult males smoked in the 1950's, probably 70% or more. Probably 50% of women (or more) also smoked. This probably held into the early 1970's. I remember in the 1970's when people were allowed to smoke most anywhere they want except for church or pumping gas.

Airplanes, restaurants, inside of malls (into the 1980's). Just anywhere and everywhere. Not anymore. What was probably over 60% of adults who smoked back in the 1950's has probably fallen to about 20%. Wouldn't surprise me much if by the next generation and for sure by the mid-century, cigarette smoking will be a thing of the past.

That would be great.

But I still see kids taking up the habit and I know plenty of adults who are still smoking. But if less and less people are indeed taking up the habit, then that's a trend I hope continues.

The MAJORITY of adult males smoked in the 1950's, probably 70% or more. Probably 50% of women (or more) also smoked. This probably held into the early 1970's. I remember in the 1970's when people were allowed to smoke most anywhere they want except for church or pumping gas.

Airplanes, restaurants, inside of malls (into the 1980's). Just anywhere and everywhere. Not anymore. What was probably over 60% of adults who smoked back in the 1950's has probably fallen to about 20%. Wouldn't surprise me much if by the next generation and for sure by the mid-century, cigarette smoking will be a thing of the past.

Didn't they use to think that smoking was good for you back in the 50's? And that the menthol flavor was good for your lungs?

Didn't they use to think that smoking was good for you back in the 50's? And that the menthol flavor was good for your lungs?

I wasn't alive then but seem to recall seeing advertisments or old commercials from the era that claimed "9 out of 10 doctors recommend ______ cigarettes!" The idea of doctors recommending a certain brand like it was medication is pretty crazy. But I'm not sure if it was ever thought of as being 'good for you.' Cigarettes, just like everything else the public puts into it's body, have had their share of laughable misinformation spread around. The funniest smoking misnomer (which I've seen mentioned in several movies from the 30s/40s) is that smoking will stunt your growth.

Smoking in the 50's and 60's was advertised not only in billboards or magazines, but on TV as well. In 1971, TV stopped advertising cigarettes, by the late 80's some public places banned smoking, now smokers must smoke outside or in their homes and soon...nowhere.

I don't smoke not because of the hazards, but i'd get lonlier and lonlier as days go by...but I do support my smoker since they're being pushed-out in life.

Lucy, and especially Ricky smoked regularly.

Quite often the foursome after dinner, Lucy & Ricky would smoke while Ethel & Fred didn't.
That is why I was surprised in this particular episode, seeing all of them lighting cigarettes.

Probably Philip Morris didn't want Fred and Ethel smoking because they wanted their cigarettes to be associated with glamor, and the Mertzes were not glamorous. These days the idea of smoking is anything but glamorous.

I have a smoking habit somewhat, consider myself a light smoker except when I am drinking, when I will go through a whole pack. I try to be considerate when I smoke. I smoke at home, usually by myself. I would never smoke around a child. I do not smoke when I am out and about.

I live in China and people still smoke in the elevators, which really makes me angry. I am staying in a hotel and some dope walked into an elevator with a lit cigarette. The building is only 5 stories, and the elevator ride is all of 30 seconds, and this selfish moron could not wait that long.

I'm aware that smoking was seen in a different light in the 50's. The word pregnant was a no-no, but smoking was cool. Now usually on TV when a character smokes, he is considered the bad guy.

I was just suprised to see Ethel & Fred smoking when I hadn't before.

Didn't they use to think that smoking was good for you back in the 50's? And that the menthol flavor was good for your lungs?

In the Woody Allen Movie Sleeper 200 years in the future scientists declare Smoking is good for your health again. :lol:

I was on a flight to Charlotte in 1978, during the Pre-Flight Safety Demonstration the Flight Attendant said 'If the emergency oxygen masks come down please extinguish WHATEVER your smoking". Three kids seated across the aisle made like they were smoking "joints". :rofl:

Cigarette Smoning began to be banned on flights in 1987 (At first it was on flights that were less then two hours long). I was returning home from Florida in January of 1987 and the Flight Attendants had a sense of humor regarding the ban. During the pre-flight safety demonstration they said "Due to the ban on cigarette smoking on flights we request that anyone wishing to smoke could you please step outside". :rotflmao:

In the Woody Allen Movie Sleeper 200 years in the future scientists declare Smoking is good for your health again. :lol:

I was on a flight to Charlotte in 1978, during the Pre-Flight Safety Demonstration the Flight Attendant said 'If the emergency oxygen masks come down please extinguish WHATEVER your smoking". Three kids seated across the aisle made like they were smoking "joints". :rofl:

Cigarette Smoning began to be banned on flights in 1987 (At first it was on flights that were less then two hours long). I was returning home from Florida in January of 1987 and the Flight Attendants had a sense of humor regarding the ban. During the pre-flight safety demonstration they said "Due to the ban on cigarette smoking on flights we request that anyone wishing to smoke could you please step outside". :rotflmao:

:lol:

Smoking in the 50's and 60's was advertised not only in billboards or magazines, but on TV as well. In 1971, TV stopped advertising cigarettes, by the late 80's some public places banned smoking, now smokers must smoke outside or in their homes and soon...nowhere.

I don't smoke not because of the hazards, but i'd get lonlier and lonlier as days go by...but I do support my smoker since they're being pushed-out in life.

Wasn't there a old commercial where Fred Flintstone and Barney talking about cigarettes and smoking them? I believe I saw it TVLand when they use to show old commercials back in the day.

Wasn't there a old commercial where Fred Flintstone and Barney talking about cigarettes and smoking them? I believe I saw it TVLand when they use to show old commercials back in the day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAExoSozc2c

I was watching an an episode of Racket Squad that had its original commercials intact. The Sponsor for this show was Phillip Morris, and this particular episode played just before Christmas. The Commercials suggested giving your friends a carton of Cigarettes for Christmas! :eek:

I was watching an an episode of Racket Squad that had its original commercials intact. The Sponsor for this show was Phillip Morris, and this particular episode played just before Christmas. The Commercials suggested giving your friends a carton of Cigarettes for Christmas! :eek:

What station was RACKET SQUAD on??
What I hate is, people are still smoking in areas where I think they shouldn't. I go into a building and some one is puffing outside near by the entrance. I thought many place had policies where you couldn't smoke on their premises. I think it looks seedy to hanging out side a store puffing.
It would be less seedy to be seen puffing at party. At least you wouldn't look seedy.

According to Wickipedia Racket Squad aired on CBS from 1951 to 1953. 44 Episodes are available from Alpha Video on DVD.

Yeah, of course.

It's a deep contrast to today's shows, where they generally stay away from product placement, at least that's what I've noticed.
Unless, they are helping to keep the show alive. One Tree Hill did a bunch of product placements like Secret, Sunkist, etc. Of course One Tree Hill was always on the bubble!! :lol:
I believe there was controversy over one of The Flintstones' sponsors which was a cigar or cigarette company?
They smoked quite a bit on TV back then. You don't see that as much today unless you're watching Mad Men or something!! :lol:

Considering that from 1951 to 1955 Philip Morris was the main sponsor of "I Love Lucy," you better believe almost everyone smoked. Fred may have lit up on one of the early episodes, but Ethel smoked in several scenes with Lucy. (Interestingly, Philip Morris specifically told Lucy NOT to smoke during the pregnancy with Little Ricky!) And there were Philip Morris signs in the background in at least one "Lucy" episode.

BTW, "The Flintstones" was originally sponsored by Winston cigarettes and Alka-Seltzer. After Pebbles was born, the co-sponsors became Welch's Grape Juice and Keebler cookies.

Actually, there were many sneaky product placements on "Lucy." With the exception of a 1956 episode, all the "Lucy" appliances were furnished by Westinghouse (there was a Roper gas range in that one). A Bell and Howell Filmosound projector is shown in "Home Movies." In "Be A Pal," Lucy is washing her dishes with a clearly identifiable box of Procter and Gamble's Duz soap powder (the red box with the laundry on the clothes line). And General Motors paid $50,000 and provided five Pontiac Star Chief convertibles for the California episodes. Ford did the same in the '56-'57 season (in "The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue," you see the tailfin and tail light of a '57 Fairlane in the scene just before Lucy takes off to rescue Fred the dog--and demolishes the statue).

What station was RACKET SQUAD on??
What I hate is, people are still smoking in areas where I think they shouldn't. I go into a building and some one is puffing outside near by the entrance. I thought many place had policies where you couldn't smoke on their premises. I think it looks seedy to hanging out side a store puffing.
It would be less seedy to be seen puffing at party. At least you wouldn't look seedy.

"Racket Squad" was the 1952 and 1953 summer replacement for "I Love Lucy," and, like "Lucy," it was sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/06/05/13-ways-love-lucy-would-be-different-if-filmed-today/

11. They wouldn't be smoking everywhere they go

Smoking was so common in the days of “I Love Lucy” that the stars lit up everywhere they went—in fact, Philip Morris Tobacco was the show's sponsor, and Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz filmed commercials for the brand on the side. By today’s laws, Lucy, Ricky and company would have a much harder time finding smoker-friendly spots in New York City.

someone here commented earlier about in a generation or two cigarette smoking may be a thing of the past. I agree that's a good thing, but with several states already legalizing marijuana and several more surely to do so as time goes by, more and more people will begin to accept the smoking of pot and this will negate any health effects of people stopping the smoking of regular cigarettes......

Michael keith, you are right. Cigarette smoking may decline but with Marijuana smoking on the rise, it may not decline all that much. In the future I may be around smokers of Marijuana. Good lord do we have to smoke??