Top Ten Episodes of Season One - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

upperco · 05-26-2014, 10:27 PM

http://jacksonupperco.com/2014/05/27...of-season-one/

LittleRickyII · 05-28-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upperco

http://jacksonupperco.com/2014/05/27...of-season-one/

Very good list. I pretty much agree with the selections here, with the exception of Lucy, the Shopping Expert. I don't find that enjoyable at all because the gags are so predictable, and the youngsters were not yet seasoned enough actors to pull of some of the comedy. In its place, I would have selected either "Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50," "Lucy and Miss Shelley Winters," "Lucy and the Ex-Con," or "Lucy Goes on Strike." I might also throw out "Lucy Visits Jack Benny" from this list. This episode is lauded a lot, but I've never understood why. I find it very slow and the laughs are few.

Regarding "Lucy's Safari," I don't think that one has any merit whatsoever. I do agree that "Lucy, the Fixer" is at least one of the best episodes of the series, but I definitely do not agree at all that it's the best thing she did post I Love Lucy. It's one of my favorites of this series, although there are several I like better, even from S1. ("A Date for Lucy" comes to mind.) And there are many episodes of The Lucy Show that I prefer over this one. Nevertheless, it's still a very funny episode.

You mentioned the dubbing of "All Alone" in "Mod, Mod Lucy" being bad. I may be wrong about this, but I've always been under the impression that Lucy Carter was supposed to be lip syncing to a recording of Kim's voice (not that that necessarily sounds like her, either). Also, you mention that this episode was the only appearance by Doris Singleton, but she appeared in at least four episodes of this series.

upperco · 05-29-2014, 08:44 AM

Hi, LittleRickyII! Thanks for reading and commenting.

In regard to "Mod, Mod, Lucy," the script never specifies that Lucy is singing to a record of Kim's voice, and the vocal itself was reportedly provided by Carole Cook, leading me to believe that the Lucy character is the one supposedly singing. As for Singleton, I meant that her character never made another appearance, but I edited the post for clarity.

"Lucy, The Fixer" is, I think, Ball's best episode. The first act is slow, but the second act is brilliant, and I wholeheartedly believe it's the funniest thing she personally ever did after playing Mrs. Ricardo. No doubt about it. As for the best in episodic entertainment -- writing, performances, comedy, etc. -- I am in agreement that we must look to The Lucy Show, specifically the first season, which is the only year that can even be considered of the same quality as I Love Lucy. And that's thanks to Viv, the scripts, and some truly great physical bits. (But, when discussing Ball's individual performances, I am also quite fond of The Lucy Show Season Two's "Lucy Conducts The Symphony," which I also think is a tour de force.)

Kasey · 05-30-2014, 12:29 PM

This is the weakest season of Here's Lucy IMO. I would pick "Lucy's Working Daughter" as my favorite this season. I love the fashion show sequence and it is really quite shocking to hear Lucy stand up to Barbara Morrison that way ("One more word and you'll hit the floor").

It was unheard of at the time to have a sitcom leading lady physically threaten another character like that.

05-26-2014, 10:27 PM	#1
upperco Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 15, 2013 Posts: 720	Top Ten Episodes of Season One http://jacksonupperco.com/2014/05/27...of-season-one/

05-29-2014, 08:44 AM	#3
upperco Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 15, 2013 Posts: 720	Hi, LittleRickyII! Thanks for reading and commenting. In regard to "Mod, Mod, Lucy," the script never specifies that Lucy is singing to a record of Kim's voice, and the vocal itself was reportedly provided by Carole Cook, leading me to believe that the Lucy character is the one supposedly singing. As for Singleton, I meant that her character never made another appearance, but I edited the post for clarity. "Lucy, The Fixer" is, I think, Ball's best episode. The first act is slow, but the second act is brilliant, and I wholeheartedly believe it's the funniest thing she personally ever did after playing Mrs. Ricardo. No doubt about it. As for the best in episodic entertainment -- writing, performances, comedy, etc. -- I am in agreement that we must look to The Lucy Show, specifically the first season, which is the only year that can even be considered of the same quality as I Love Lucy. And that's thanks to Viv, the scripts, and some truly great physical bits. (But, when discussing Ball's individual performances, I am also quite fond of The Lucy Show Season Two's "Lucy Conducts The Symphony," which I also think is a tour de force.)

05-30-2014, 12:29 PM	#4
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	This is the weakest season of Here's Lucy IMO. I would pick "Lucy's Working Daughter" as my favorite this season. I love the fashion show sequence and it is really quite shocking to hear Lucy stand up to Barbara Morrison that way ("One more word and you'll hit the floor"). It was unheard of at the time to have a sitcom leading lady physically threaten another character like that.