'I Love Lucy' The Very 1st Female Gross-Out Comedy??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-13-2011, 06:06 PM

Yes, calling I Love Lucy a gross-out comedy (or raunchy in any way) is ridiculous, until you consider the fact that Lucille Ball’s gift for physical and even bodily humor contributed in many ways to her enormous appeal. Remember, this is a woman who turned her own pregnancy into a season-long plot point at a time when you couldn’t actually say “pregnant” on TV. And although this is a list of movies, we have to tip our hat to the TV comedienne who paved the way for everybody else.

Marvo301 · 05-13-2011, 07:42 PM

While Lucy may have ocassionally crossed the line into gross-out comedy I see I Love Lucy as TV's first female buddy comedy. Those buddies being Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz.

Lucyeth's · 05-14-2011, 04:17 AM

I can't really see I Love Lucy being called a "gross-out comedy", to be honest. I'd rather see it being called one of the first (there may or may not have been physcial comedy shows before Lucy) physical comedic shows.

old grouch · 05-14-2011, 09:30 AM

Very few women can manage to look glamourous while doing the tango with a blouse full of eggs. But Lucy did.

The Flying Dutchmans · 05-14-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucyeth's

I can't really see I Love Lucy being called a "gross-out comedy", to be honest. I'd rather see it being called one of the first (there may or may not have been physcial comedy shows before Lucy) physical comedic shows.

Well the Little Rascals/Our Gang comedies had some physical comedy in them, but those kids were just acting natural. I don't think they had to learn lines until the later years of the Little Rascals, like in the late 1930s. I believe Hal Roach told those kids to just act like kids and took it from there. So I don;'t think Lucy was the first physical comedy although hers was among the best.

Hughsgirl · 05-20-2011, 10:08 AM

Wow, I must not be up with the times (no surprise if you know me), but I have never heard the term "Gross out comedy." I see ILL as "ground breaking" in regards to it showing the first interracial marriage on TV and then the first pregnant woman, that I understand. Always something new....hmmmm...

treky · 05-22-2011, 01:42 AM

it WASN'T the first show to show a pregnant woman on TV. That honor goes to the sitcom "MARY KAYE & JOHNNIE" which debuted in 1949, a full 2 years before "ILL".

Hughsgirl · 05-23-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

it WASN'T the first show to show a pregnant woman on TV. That honor goes to the sitcom "MARY KAYE & JOHNNIE" which debuted in 1949, a full 2 years before "ILL".

That's interesting because all the books I have read claims that Lucy was the first pregnant woman shown on TV.

Lucyeth's · 06-13-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

Well the Little Rascals/Our Gang comedies had some physical comedy in them, but those kids were just acting natural. I don't think they had to learn lines until the later years of the Little Rascals, like in the late 1930s. I believe Hal Roach told those kids to just act like kids and took it from there. So I don;'t think Lucy was the first physical comedy although hers was among the best.

That's why I included the "may or may not" in there; I knew there was something liable to slip my mind. Lucy was most likely the first adult female physical comedy, from my research.

tv star collector · 06-13-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

Well the Little Rascals/Our Gang comedies had some physical comedy in them, but those kids were just acting natural. I don't think they had to learn lines until the later years of the Little Rascals, like in the late 1930s. I believe Hal Roach told those kids to just act like kids and took it from there. So I don;'t think Lucy was the first physical comedy although hers was among the best.

Speaking of early comedies, Lucy made one of her first appearances in The
Three Stooges' short "Three Little Pigskins" (1934). I'm sure she learned something about physical comedy from those masters of the form!

05-13-2011, 06:06 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'I Love Lucy' The Very 1st Female Gross-Out Comedy??? Yes, calling I Love Lucy a gross-out comedy (or raunchy in any way) is ridiculous, until you consider the fact that Lucille Ball’s gift for physical and even bodily humor contributed in many ways to her enormous appeal. Remember, this is a woman who turned her own pregnancy into a season-long plot point at a time when you couldn’t actually say “pregnant” on TV. And although this is a list of movies, we have to tip our hat to the TV comedienne who paved the way for everybody else.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-13-2011, 07:42 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	While Lucy may have ocassionally crossed the line into gross-out comedy I see I Love Lucy as TV's first female buddy comedy. Those buddies being Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-22-2011, 01:42 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	it WASN'T the first show to show a pregnant woman on TV. That honor goes to the sitcom "MARY KAYE & JOHNNIE" which debuted in 1949, a full 2 years before "ILL".
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

05-14-2011, 04:17 AM	#3
Lucyeth's The Craziest 'A' Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2010 Location: US Posts: 124	I can't really see I Love Lucy being called a "gross-out comedy", to be honest. I'd rather see it being called one of the first (there may or may not have been physcial comedy shows before Lucy) physical comedic shows.

05-14-2011, 09:30 AM	#4
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	Very few women can manage to look glamourous while doing the tango with a blouse full of eggs. But Lucy did.

05-20-2011, 10:08 AM	#6
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	Wow, I must not be up with the times (no surprise if you know me), but I have never heard the term "Gross out comedy." I see ILL as "ground breaking" in regards to it showing the first interracial marriage on TV and then the first pregnant woman, that I understand. Always something new....hmmmm...