A Little Bit of Stupid - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Madame X · 08-25-2007, 04:04 PM

Some things really bug me about the episode "The Diner." I think the name "A Little Bit of Cuba" is stupid. There are only six stools at the counter and no sign of more tables. How could two households survive on the business six stools would bring in? Why did Lucy and Ricky dress up in formal attire to greet guests? After all, it was just one step above a beanery. And the way Ricky hovers over people while they're eating is annoying. How did Fred and Ethel know how to cook Cuban food? How could Ricky just leave his job at the Tropicana and then just go back? If we tried that, we would be screwed.

The episode had some funny moments, but a lot of it was too far-fetched and ridiculous (even for I Love Lucy).

Add to that the "pie in the face" cliche and it resorts to inane slapstick.

Im my opinion, this is a poor episode, but I still watch it! It's not as bad as Scotland.

Ireneparalegal · 08-25-2007, 04:09 PM

Here here. Any episode is better than Scotland.

I would love to chat abt the diner episode.

My feelings are the same as yours. How in the first place, was Ricky able to run a diner? He had the Tropicana and he had rehearsals and so forth. He always seemed busy working at the Tropicana, how all of a sudden did he have time to own/run another business?

Ok, the Mertzes had every right to be upset. Why were they stuck doing the work? Yes, they had the know how, but the Ricardos were never going to learn the diner business by "hanging around".

What was with the formal attire? My God, it was a diner people!!!! Even the more expensive restaurants don't have a host/hostess dressed up in formal wear.

You are right, how could they make money with only six stools?

And wouldn't the fab four know abt the original owner selling and buying back his business many times? I know when it comes to things like that, a prospective owner can find out the status of the business, like who were the previous owners?

And the ultimate...ONE CENT HAMBURGERS!!!!! I am sure the bread alone cost more.

Madame X · 08-25-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

My feelings are the same as yours. How in the first place, was Ricky able to run a diner? He had the Tropicana and he had rehearsals and so forth. He always seemed busy working at the Tropicana, how all of a sudden did he have time to own/run another business?

I think the premise of this ep. was the fact Ricky was fed up with showbiz and wanted a new career. I found it ridiculous that he could/would just leave and start a business he knew nothing about. Then he was able to just go back to the Tropicana like he was away on vacation or something.

Ireneparalegal · 08-25-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

I think the premise of this ep. was the fact Ricky was fed up with showbiz and wanted a new career. I found it ridiculous that he could/would just leave and start a business he knew nothing about. Then he was able to just go back to the Tropicana like he was away on vacation or something.

I always had the feeling that he was still with the Tropicana for the fact that he had a contract with them. It was mentioned somewhat in one of the earlier episodes. I felt that he was trying to see how the diner works out and if he liked it or succeeded, then he would give up show business forever. That is my interpretation at least.

I think the fab four made a big mistake by not discussing in detail exactly what each person's job was.

Madame X · 08-26-2007, 05:29 PM

Imagine Ethel cooking authentic Cuban food!

I think of her as more of a pot roast or meatloaf and potatoes kinda gal.

Madame X · 08-26-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I always had the feeling that he was still with the Tropicana for the fact that he had a contract with them. It was mentioned somewhat in one of the earlier episodes. I felt that he was trying to see how the diner works out and if he liked it or succeeded, then he would give up show business forever. That is my interpretation at least.

That makes sense!

Ireneparalegal · 08-26-2007, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

Imagine Ethel cooking authentic Cuban food!

I think of her as more of a pot roast or meatloaf and potatoes kinda gal.

Yeah, me too.

I don't get how Ethel suddenly could cook up those dishes.

I did happen to catch this episode today. I was

as I was watching it because I was thinking of this thread. Anyhoo, Ricky did tell one of the patrons that they were going to have certain Cuban dishes (he rambles on abt some of those plates) but while Ethel and Fred were there, they seemed to be ordering regular diner food, Hot Dogs, Pancakes, etc. No mention of any of those patrons ordering anything Cuban.

So, it could be they were just making regular diner food until they got their Cuban food specialities established.

My boyfriend made me laugh when he saw that part where Lucy says, "We own a diner, we own a diner." He said she sounded like a little girl who just got a big present.

Superbatboy · 08-26-2007, 11:35 PM

I like this episode, especially the pie fight. If you want to split hairs about things on I Love Lucy there are a BOAT load of unrealistic situations, like Fred Mertz riding 35 miles on a bike to Nice, or how little Ricky grew like 3 years in one season etc; Just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television

Ireneparalegal · 08-27-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbatboy

I like this episode, especially the pie fight. If you want to split hairs about things on I Love Lucy there are a BOAT load of unrealistic situations, like Fred Mertz riding 35 miles on a bike to Nice, or how little Ricky grew like 3 years in one season etc; Just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television

It is not abt splitting hairs, it is abt sharing info, thoughts, opinions and noticing goofs, inconsistencies, etc. with fellow I Love Lucy fans. I have watched ILL for over 35 years and I now have a forum where I can share these thoughts and opinions with other fans who can share their thoughts, etc. How boring it would be simply to discuss the same old thing? That is what this forum is for, to discuss, to analyze, to pick apart and yes, to chat abt the annoying things, those things that didn't make sense, etc.

Madame X · 08-27-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbatboy

I like this episode, especially the pie fight. If you want to split hairs about things on I Love Lucy there are a BOAT load of unrealistic situations, like Fred Mertz riding 35 miles on a bike to Nice, or how little Ricky grew like 3 years in one season etc; Just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television

I've been watching I Love Lucy for twice as long as you have been alive. You don't need to tell anyone on this board to "just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television." Many of us watched "Classic Television" the first time around. It was the TV we grew up on.

The people on this board, or any board for that matter, love their shows and want to talk about them with other fans. Any topic can come up; sometimes we're serious, looking for facts; sometimes we play games; and sometimes we pick our shows apart.

That's what the message boards are all about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

It is not abt splitting hairs, it is abt sharing info, thoughts, opinions and noticing goofs, inconsistencies, etc. with fellow I Love Lucy fans. I have watched ILL for over 35 years and I now have a forum where I can share these thoughts and opinions with other fans who can share their thoughts, etc. How boring it would be simply to discuss the same old thing? That is what this forum is for, to discuss, to analyze, to pick apart and yes, to chat abt the annoying things, those things that didn't make sense, etc.

Lee G · 08-27-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

It is not abt splitting hairs, it is abt sharing info, thoughts, opinions and noticing goofs, inconsistencies, etc. with fellow I Love Lucy fans. I have watched ILL for over 35 years and I now have a forum where I can share these thoughts and opinions with other fans who can share their thoughts, etc. How boring it would be simply to discuss the same old thing? That is what this forum is for, to discuss, to analyze, to pick apart and yes, to chat abt the annoying things, those things that didn't make sense, etc.

LOL the entire show often didn't make sense. By reading the discussion taking place in this thread, it confirms my belief that this show is overrated.

Superbatboy · 08-27-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

I've been watching I Love Lucy for twice as long as you have been alive. You don't need to tell anyone on this board to "just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television." Many of us watched "Classic Television" the first time around. It was the TV we grew up on.

The people on this board, or any board for that matter, love their shows and want to talk about them with other fans. Any topic can come up; sometimes we're serious, looking for facts; sometimes we play games; and sometimes we pick our shows apart.

That's what the message boards are all about.

Wow, some people are overly sensitive...turn on the fan and cool off man

MOWERDAN · 08-27-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbatboy

I like this episode, especially the pie fight. If you want to split hairs about things on I Love Lucy there are a BOAT load of unrealistic situations, like Fred Mertz riding 35 miles on a bike to Nice, or how little Ricky grew like 3 years in one season etc; Just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television

You're right about over analyzing the realism of the episode. All I Love Lucy episodes were exaggerations of situations and life in general. I suppose the 12 foot long bread coming out of the oven was acceptable or Lucy & Ethel climbing along the fence on the Empire State Building, etc, etc.

I liked the Diner episode, especially, when they argued about who had the know-how now.

Ireneparalegal · 08-27-2007, 05:51 PM

I guess we have three people here who don't know what it is to be on a message board talking abt tv shows. I would expect Lee G. off all people to know that this place is to discuss shows, chat with forum members abt all aspects of a show, inside and out. I guess I was wrong.

The reason I expected Lee G. to know better is that you stated your opinion on the show in a lengthy thread and no one told you to "get real" or take your opinion elsewhere. You were treated with the upmost respect and granted, you don't care much for a show that others love, is your feeling and opinion. I wouldn't do that to a show I didn't care for, but that is me and that is how MOST people here on this board respect others and the shows they love.

Yes, we know Lucy and how it was not to be taken seriously, BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, YADDA YADDA YADDA, ETC. but I have this forum which gives me and others the opportunity to share the thoughts we have had for decades now regarding a show that we love. Yes, it is a show that was made simply for laughs, not continuity, not factual consistency, etc. but it sure gives us fans something to chat abt.

IF YOU ALL CHECK OUT EACH AND EVERY FORUM FOR EACH SHOW ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD, YOU WILL SEE THAT EVERYONE ANALYZES, SCRUTINIZES, CHOPS AND SHREDS SHOWS APART.

A piece of advice, if you don't care for how Madame X and I and others discuss this show or any other show, DON'T READ IT. MOVE ON AND GO ELSEWHERE. It is obvious this thread was made for those interested in discussing the show a certain way.

tdr · 08-27-2007, 09:55 PM

I have posted on here before how I think the first season of ILL basically followed the examples of comedy shorts, which means there were a lot of ridiculous situations and slapstick; while the show itself was establishing the example of the television sitcom. And that after the first season of 'decorationg' the apartment like a Cuban village with a burro, bringing in 15 kids to claim were her own, and trashing the place like a backwoods junkyard, et al, they realized that the great character comedy among the 4 regulars didn't require the situations to be so outlandish. But the diner ep is one of the relatively few where they revert to the season #1 farce and slapstick, just within the bounds of the characters.

Yes, it's not believable that Ricky would just suddenly buy a diner because he had been so upset the night before at how many things went wrong at the nightclub; because otherwise he proved that he could deal with the tribulations of show business. And letting the decision be clinched by the Mertzes saying they had worked at a diner "when they were stuck in Indianapolis".. yeah, for how long? a day or 2? Besides Ricky and the Tropicana, though, why would Fred and Ethel decid to put in the fulltime (or close to that) of running the diner when they did the building management and maintenance themselves [I guess we have to forget the Hollywood series of eps here, too]. And nothing is said about Little Ricky and where he would stay all day, as he was still an infant then-- Mrs. Trumball babysat him mainly as an interest, not as regular daycare [maybe she (Mrs. T) was the one among them who should have tried running a diner

]

Nevertheless, dropping everything you're fed up with for your own business to find out it's really twice the trouble is, in fact, something of an American story done and redone countless times over; so, to insert that plot into the #1 television show really makes a lot of sense, even if much has to be 'forced' in that doens't ring as believable. And to those who know much about ILL history, there is the symbolism of it being Desi's and Lucy's show, while Frawley and Vance were like the hired help-- as in the first week's rehearsals, D & L had their meal brought in, and Frawley asked, "Hey--when do the peons get to eat around here?" Equate that with the Ricardos-- "the name"-- and Fred/Bill and Etherl/Viv, less known names, less wealth and prestige, but a lot of background to make it all 'work.'

08-25-2007, 04:09 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Here here. Any episode is better than Scotland. I would love to chat abt the diner episode. My feelings are the same as yours. How in the first place, was Ricky able to run a diner? He had the Tropicana and he had rehearsals and so forth. He always seemed busy working at the Tropicana, how all of a sudden did he have time to own/run another business? Ok, the Mertzes had every right to be upset. Why were they stuck doing the work? Yes, they had the know how, but the Ricardos were never going to learn the diner business by "hanging around". What was with the formal attire? My God, it was a diner people!!!! Even the more expensive restaurants don't have a host/hostess dressed up in formal wear. You are right, how could they make money with only six stools? And wouldn't the fab four know abt the original owner selling and buying back his business many times? I know when it comes to things like that, a prospective owner can find out the status of the business, like who were the previous owners? And the ultimate...ONE CENT HAMBURGERS!!!!! I am sure the bread alone cost more.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

08-26-2007, 11:35 PM	#8
Superbatboy The Brandon Show Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: California..USA Posts: 793	I like this episode, especially the pie fight. If you want to split hairs about things on I Love Lucy there are a BOAT load of unrealistic situations, like Fred Mertz riding 35 miles on a bike to Nice, or how little Ricky grew like 3 years in one season etc; Just enjoy the show for what it is....CLASSIC television
	__________________ "Marion, stop cackling I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg"

08-25-2007, 04:04 PM	#1
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	A Little Bit of Stupid Some things really bug me about the episode "The Diner." I think the name "A Little Bit of Cuba" is stupid. There are only six stools at the counter and no sign of more tables. How could two households survive on the business six stools would bring in? Why did Lucy and Ricky dress up in formal attire to greet guests? After all, it was just one step above a beanery. And the way Ricky hovers over people while they're eating is annoying. How did Fred and Ethel know how to cook Cuban food? How could Ricky just leave his job at the Tropicana and then just go back? If we tried that, we would be screwed. The episode had some funny moments, but a lot of it was too far-fetched and ridiculous (even for I Love Lucy). Add to that the "pie in the face" cliche and it resorts to inane slapstick. Im my opinion, this is a poor episode, but I still watch it! It's not as bad as Scotland.

08-26-2007, 05:29 PM	#5
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	Imagine Ethel cooking authentic Cuban food! I think of her as more of a pot roast or meatloaf and potatoes kinda gal.

08-27-2007, 05:51 PM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I guess we have three people here who don't know what it is to be on a message board talking abt tv shows. I would expect Lee G. off all people to know that this place is to discuss shows, chat with forum members abt all aspects of a show, inside and out. I guess I was wrong. The reason I expected Lee G. to know better is that you stated your opinion on the show in a lengthy thread and no one told you to "get real" or take your opinion elsewhere. You were treated with the upmost respect and granted, you don't care much for a show that others love, is your feeling and opinion. I wouldn't do that to a show I didn't care for, but that is me and that is how MOST people here on this board respect others and the shows they love. Yes, we know Lucy and how it was not to be taken seriously, BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, YADDA YADDA YADDA, ETC. but I have this forum which gives me and others the opportunity to share the thoughts we have had for decades now regarding a show that we love. Yes, it is a show that was made simply for laughs, not continuity, not factual consistency, etc. but it sure gives us fans something to chat abt. IF YOU ALL CHECK OUT EACH AND EVERY FORUM FOR EACH SHOW ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD, YOU WILL SEE THAT EVERYONE ANALYZES, SCRUTINIZES, CHOPS AND SHREDS SHOWS APART. A piece of advice, if you don't care for how Madame X and I and others discuss this show or any other show, DON'T READ IT. MOVE ON AND GO ELSEWHERE. It is obvious this thread was made for those interested in discussing the show a certain way.

08-27-2007, 09:55 PM	#15
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	I have posted on here before how I think the first season of ILL basically followed the examples of comedy shorts, which means there were a lot of ridiculous situations and slapstick; while the show itself was establishing the example of the television sitcom. And that after the first season of 'decorationg' the apartment like a Cuban village with a burro, bringing in 15 kids to claim were her own, and trashing the place like a backwoods junkyard, et al, they realized that the great character comedy among the 4 regulars didn't require the situations to be so outlandish. But the diner ep is one of the relatively few where they revert to the season #1 farce and slapstick, just within the bounds of the characters. Yes, it's not believable that Ricky would just suddenly buy a diner because he had been so upset the night before at how many things went wrong at the nightclub; because otherwise he proved that he could deal with the tribulations of show business. And letting the decision be clinched by the Mertzes saying they had worked at a diner "when they were stuck in Indianapolis".. yeah, for how long? a day or 2? Besides Ricky and the Tropicana, though, why would Fred and Ethel decid to put in the fulltime (or close to that) of running the diner when they did the building management and maintenance themselves [I guess we have to forget the Hollywood series of eps here, too]. And nothing is said about Little Ricky and where he would stay all day, as he was still an infant then-- Mrs. Trumball babysat him mainly as an interest, not as regular daycare [maybe she (Mrs. T) was the one among them who should have tried running a diner ] Nevertheless, dropping everything you're fed up with for your own business to find out it's really twice the trouble is, in fact, something of an American story done and redone countless times over; so, to insert that plot into the #1 television show really makes a lot of sense, even if much has to be 'forced' in that doens't ring as believable. And to those who know much about ILL history, there is the symbolism of it being Desi's and Lucy's show, while Frawley and Vance were like the hired help-- as in the first week's rehearsals, D & L had their meal brought in, and Frawley asked, "Hey--when do the peons get to eat around here?" Equate that with the Ricardos-- "the name"-- and Fred/Bill and Etherl/Viv, less known names, less wealth and prestige, but a lot of background to make it all 'work.'