2 observations regarding the very 1st episode - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

White Rabbit · 02-25-2008, 11:39 PM

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?

Ireneparalegal · 02-25-2008, 11:46 PM

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

SPLAIN · 02-26-2008, 11:24 AM

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

Ireneparalegal · 02-26-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLAIN

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

Yes it was.

White Rabbit · 02-26-2008, 08:14 PM

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.

SPLAIN · 02-27-2008, 10:38 AM

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

Janice · 02-28-2008, 04:08 AM

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.

comedyfreak · 02-28-2008, 09:36 AM

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.

SPLAIN · 02-28-2008, 11:29 AM

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.

Lodee · 02-28-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

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.

Remember when she told Ethel she thought he was trying to kill her and Ethel just left her there? That was odd too.

SPLAIN · 02-28-2008, 02:25 PM

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

Benno123 · 02-28-2008, 09:34 PM

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.

SPLAIN · 02-29-2008, 11:14 AM

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.

tdr · 02-29-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPLAIN

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.

Ireneparalegal · 02-29-2008, 07:17 PM

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.

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.

02-25-2008, 11:39 PM	#1
White Rabbit Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 03, 2007 Location: New York Posts: 57	2 observations regarding the very 1st episode 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?
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02-25-2008, 11:46 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	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
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02-28-2008, 09:36 AM	#8
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	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.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

02-26-2008, 11:24 AM	#3
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	I've never been BIG on this episode, does anyone know if it was lifted from My Favorite Husband as many eps were?

02-26-2008, 08:14 PM	#5
White Rabbit Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 03, 2007 Location: New York Posts: 57	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.

02-27-2008, 10:38 AM	#6
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	It did for me too, until i kept seeing that flub where you see Lucy loosening the thing so it will drop easily, LOL!

02-28-2008, 04:08 AM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	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.

02-28-2008, 11:29 AM	#9
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	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.

02-28-2008, 02:25 PM	#11
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	Hey, when your biggest laugh is I GOT A MICKEY FROM RICKY, you know it's not your best work, LOL!

02-28-2008, 09:34 PM	#12
Benno123 Jenna Fischer Rocks My World!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,036	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.

02-29-2008, 11:14 AM	#13
SPLAIN I Love Lucy Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: MONTREAL, CANADA Posts: 4,563	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.

02-29-2008, 07:17 PM	#15
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	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. 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.