The last three seasons...

[savy333]

Has anyone else noticed that in the last three seasons (4, 5, and 6) the writers wrote situations that would get them out of the apartment? They were shipped off to Hollywood for most of season four. In season five they were still in Hollywood and when they got back to New York, it was only a matter of weeks before they were off to Europe for the rest of the season. Then, in season six, they shipped them off to Florida and a few episodes later they had moved to Connecticut. So, were the writers just sick of the New York apartment and sent the characters elsewhere to spice up the sotrylines? It just seems odd that the first 100 episodes took place completely 100% in the apartment and they seldom left the Ricardo's apartment and then the last 100 episodes or so they were hardly ever in the apartment because they were always on trips or something. Your thoughts?

Also, in the last three seasons they reliied a lot on guest stars. I found this utterly distracting. Since I did not grow up in this time period I don't even know who a lot of these guest stars are. Furthermore, the main characters on I Love Lucy are a lot more interesting and funny then most of the guest stars. What are your thoughts on this? The Hollywood episodes just incllude way too many guest stars- I just watched the whole fourth season box set this week and it really is distracting how many guest stars are included in that season. The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour is the same way. Every single episode from that series includes a guest star. Did they feel that Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel were not enough? Because I think the guest star of the week thing is pretty gimicky... Although sometimes it leads to great comedy- I prefer just the regular Lucy cast.

[Ricardos4ever]

Originally Posted by savy333

So, were the writers just sick of the New York apartment and sent the characters elsewhere to spice up the sotrylines?

I think that that was exactly the case. Taking them to Hollywood, and then to Europe, gave them a lot more material to work with. I'm glad they did, because I think that the Hollywood season was the best of the series.

Originally Posted by savy333

Also, in the last three seasons they reliied a lot on guest stars. I found this utterly distracting. Since I did not grow up in this time period I don't even know who a lot of these guest stars are. Furthermore, the main characters on I Love Lucy are a lot more interesting and funny then most of the guest stars. What are your thoughts on this? The Hollywood episodes just incllude way too many guest stars- I just watched the whole fourth season box set this week and it really is distracting how many guest stars are included in that season. The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour is the same way. Every single episode from that series includes a guest star. Did they feel that Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel were not enough? Because I think the guest star of the week thing is pretty gimicky... Although sometimes it leads to great comedy- I prefer just the regular Lucy cast.

I think that because of ILL's enormous popularity, a lot of big stars were fans and were willing to come on the show, and ILL was smart enough to take full advantage.The stars weren't distracting at all to me, especially in the Hollywood episodes. It was great seeing Lucy star-struck, and all of the crazy situations that were born out of that. I also prefer the regular cast, but then again some of my favorite episodes in the later years include a lot of guest stars (The first LDCH, for example). There are a few episodes where the guest star didn't add much, but for the most part I think it worked. And I remember reading that when they decided to do the LDCH in the first place, they planned on having a guest star each week to carry part of the show since they were so busy.

[Lolac]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is LDCH?

Lolac

[TV Girl 06]

Originally Posted by Lolac

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is LDCH?

Lolac

Lucy Desi Comedy Hour

[Lolac]

Doh! Of course!! Thank you!

Lolac