I completely agree with you! There's quite a few episodes, beyond the ones you mentioned, that I don't care for either. It happens. I love, love, love this show but not all episodes can be awesome lol.
I'm sure they weren't best friends and weren't crazy about each other during the show,but I always thought that visceral hate people think they had was overblown. They had their moments.
Mertz and Kurtz is a memorable episode to me because Fred gets to perform an I love the old vaudeville references. Every episode doesn't have to be hilarious to be memorable.
Hi Rick. Very interesting video! I mostly disagree with you, lol. First, the one with Sam and Dorothy is one of my favorites. Especially at the end when Ricky is apologizing to Lucy only it’s Fred under the covers! Hysterical! And the fact that Sam and Dorothy did decide to give marriage a try makes this episode truly memorable. The quiz show episode is funny. Not the best but still enjoyable. Love the tramp stealing their stuff! I also love Mertz and Kurtz. I will agree that the number at the end wasn’t entertaining but to see Barney’s grandson watch his grandfather perform and they hug was truly moving. And Lucy as the maid Bessie was very funny! The anniversary present was also good because it showed the love Ricky had for Lucy. Granted not the best episode but I do watch it. I also like Don Juan and the Starlets. Fred and Ethel were pretty funny in this one while Ricky is trying to clear himself. The club election was ok but I rarely watch it because it bugs me that Lucy is so desperate that she bribes Lillian/Carolyn Appleby with her sweater and purse. The ones that I don’t watch are Lucy Plays Cupid with the neighbor and the grocer, The Young Fans. I think these 2 are a bit idiotic and I always skip them. And finally the one where Lucy and Ethel dress like hicks to be dates for Ricky and Fred. I can’t remember the name of the episode right now but it just seems ludicrous that they don’t recognize them right away. I’m sure there are others but these are the ones that pop into my mind. Great video Rick! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!🤗🤗
Hi Rick, I would like you to make a video about all of the responses you e received in a nutshell. Not a long one but since you brought this up, I think it would be interesting to get your take on all the feedback you’ve received!🤗🤗
You are so right Rick. When I was watching the disc, before Pluto started showing I love Lucy, there were discs that I would skip over because I didn't care for those episodes. I agree with you!
@@ricknineg Hey Rick do you think that will ever explore the Andy Griffith show? It is also one of my favorites.... I was watching it on Pluto TV and believe me I was so excited when they added I love Lucy! I've watched seasons 1 through 5 so many, many times that I would love to hear your thoughts on this classic TV show. If you ever cover it, please let me know, thanks Frank 🥰🤗
Probably not. I’m not a watcher of the show and I usually try to cover shows I’m really familiar with and watch. That’s a staple concept of my channel. The interest in the shows keeps me passionate about it
Dude---"The Matchmaker" is probably one of my favorite episodes. The massive fight Lucy and Ricky get into is funny because it sort of starts out of nowhere, which is how the worst fights always begin. Then when she scoops the soil from the flower pot and puts it in his coffee, I crack up every single time.
One episode I'll never forget and loved was when Lucy needed her passport to go overseas. When she visited her old friend for a signed document, someone older who used to babysit Lucy as a baby, it was a crackup when her ''friend'' suddenly became younger than Lucy because her husband standing there didn't know her real age. When the friend started talking ''baby talk'' to her husband telling him that SHE was the baby that LUCY babysat, I almost choked on my morning toast from laughter! And I think it was the same ''passport'' episode when Lucy located the doctor who was there at her birth. Lucy tried to prove that she was born in Jamestown so she sought out the doc to agree. The funny part was when Lucy got herself locked in that moving trunk and the doc had to identify her. When she sang that song they both sung together when she was a little girl, I almost choked again when the old doctor started doing a tap dance next to the trunk! It was sooooo funny when Ricky just happened to walk in during all of this! If some of you have never seen this episode, all I can say is that it's downright hilarious!
The Passport may be my favorite episode. I love Dr Peterson and their song and dance and Ricky walked in 😂 Dirty rat Helen! What a dope her husband was! Nice little twist at the end with the birth certificate.
YAY, I'm thrilled to see another Lucy video📺🎬📽🎥 I've seen every episode of I ❤ Lucy so many times, including these 10. I agree that while I would never seek out any of these, I do still remember them all👗 I could probably come up with my own list of 10 that I didn't think were all that great either. But not every episode can be hilarious, stellar or appeal to every viewer. I still appreciate the ho- hum episodes too😏
The anniversary episode with the pearls creates a blooper in later seasons since in the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour where they go to Japan Lucy claims she'd like a strand of "real" pearls she's never had! Haha!
The episode when they get the new Cadillac and Lucy says that Ethel doesn’t drive, but then in the camping episode, which is before that she drove the station wagon
There are cultured pearls and uncultured pearls. Ricky would have given Lucy cultured pearls at home, because uncultured pearls were more expensive. Cultured pearls are more common in the USA as well. In Japan, it would have been opposite. "REAL" pearls usually pertain to uncultured pearls, and thats what Lucy, more than likely, would have recieved in Japan.
@@mewregaurdhissyfit7733 No...a 50s woman would have demanded uncultured pearls. Cultured pearls were considered fake, practically! Good argument with the "real" but, no
Thanks for sharing the video. The great thing about I love Lucy. It’s true about these episodes they are not as popular, but It contains things that are different like seeing little Ricky play the drums for the first drum. I love Lucy is know for her comedy, but its nice to have different ideas for the show. 😊😊
Thanks, Rick, for showing the still images from ILL. With the fast-paced action of the episodes, it's easy to not see some of the details of the sets. For example, the lift cushion in the Ricardo's living-room love seat in one episode 2:53 which is not apparent in a different episode 3:37.
I like when you translate Desi's Spanish to English. He was very funny and we miss the most of it when it's in Spanish. IE...Henna Rinse so we could actually get it. Thanks Rick. I grew up on most of these tv classics and always get a laugh. Keep up the good work!
The anniversary present has one of the most funniest scenes with them eavesdropping on the apartment “oh for heaven sakes Albert, go eat your lunch” 😂😂😂
Another hilarious episode was ''Ethel's Birthday''. I was almost rolling on the floor with laughter when Ethel made those cracks about Lucy's taste in gifts, and Lucy's insults about Ethel's hip measurements!
I always liked the episode when they bought the diner and it's not mentioned much but I think it's a classic. The line I would like a hundred hamburgers please is hilarious. The look on Ethyls face is priceless? 😅
Thanks Rick! I appreciate your insights. I haven't seen all of the episodes, but do enjoy most I have seen. Have a blessed Easter season to you and your family! Glad to be a member of your channel!
Gosh, Rick, you did such a good job on this video. You are 100% right in the way you pointed out the weaknesses in these episodes. They’re very anticlimactic and when you’re watching I Love Lucy, they are definitely some of the ones that leave you feeling unsatisfied. So, of course, ya gotta watch a good one afterwards lol 😂❤ Thanks for another winning video❤
I remember most of these episodes. It is not surprising that once in a while there would be a episode that wasn't that good. With 180 episodes over 6 seasons, the writers couldn't always be at the top of their game. The fact that they didn't have that many not so good episodes just shows how good the writers were over all.
For Corn Sakes! I thought this was an April Fools video because every I Love Lucy episode is memorable in its own way, punch line of not. Your video alone proves my point, these episodes you remember to forget. 😂 But seriously, I do see your point as to why people would forget these episodes, just based on the anticipation of hilarious hijinks from the gang. But again, if you look beyond all that, these episodes were quality in their own unique way.
I agree with most of these! But I really like "vacation from marriage". The line "Nothing personal Ethel, but I'm sick of the sight of your face."😂Cracks me up every time. And I love the scene when they are locked on the roof. It's so funny when they try to walk across to the next building.😄 I love your Lucy videos. This was a fun one!🙂
I love these episodes, but some of these episodes do get overlooked compared others. They’re not exactly bad, yet not exactly memorable. Thank you for the video Rick, I hope you’ll have a great weekend. Take care!
In recent years I have found that I like to "re-write" certain scenes or a partial scene of shows that I generally love to make them more to my liking (LOL), even with some of my top favorites episodes. Also, if it's an episode that clearly isn't one of my favorites, I find there's usually at least one scene that I really like so I'll watch that episode anyway (though I may not be totally focused on the rest of the show). 🙂
Another fantastic video Rick. Between these videos you make plus your new coin and currency videos on IG... You're exceeding your immaculate astonishing content by 1 Billion fold.
I love inferiority complex. So funny. Treatment - beat meant! Zany part in vacation from marriage is the plank being used to cross over to the other building When my brother and I were young kids watching we would know in one minute if it was one of our favorites or not! Thanks Rick for the videos!!
Good list. Most of them are ones I hadn't thought much about in years (though Mertz and Kurtz is memorable to me since, like you, I find Bill Frawley's Fred to be an amazing character). I still maintain that even a mediocre episode of I Love Lucy is still light years ahead most of what passes for modern entertainment these days.
Rick, I enjoy your videos, but the first episode mentioned about Lucy being on a quiz show, I thought had a couple of hysterically funny lines in it. Like you said, Lucy is trying to pass off the "bum" as her first husband thinking that it was the guy from the TV show, but it wasn't. At some point, after Lucy introduced the bum as her first husband to Ricky, here's where I'm paraphrasing, but here's the dialogue. Bum: Where's the children? Lucy (completely startled by his question) says: "Children? Don't you have them"? (LOL). Bum: "Ah! You've misplaced them again!!" (That line alone is hysterical)! Bum continues: "Ahh, Lucybelle was always misplacing things". (Again very funny line, and I'm paraphrasing, but I thought that part of the show was super funny!) You're right! There are some episodes that are "forgotten" and not as popular as others, but I love that scene in the show. Now, I need to see the rest of your video! I just wanted to comment regarding the first episode you've mentioned! ;) Thank you Rick!
The part where lucy and especially Ethal is trying to walk across on the board to get to the other side is funny to me, The worse episode I was the dream sequence where they are in Scotland and Fred and Ethal play they dragon . Just don't care for that one
The only one I actually recognize was the stage freight one. And I think it's because I developed stage freight myself and took me 3 decades to get over it. My problem made me feel really bonded to little Ricky.
I hate calling these “forgettable” but yeah I pretty much agree with these being “meh” and I do otter skip these but a lot of them do have a scene, usually at the end that i do like but since i skip the episode when i do see it its like “THAT’S where that scene was from!” The closet scene is funny tho In the Anniversary gift I liked Lucy out on the scaffolding and the whole heater thing hearing Albert and wife argument and Lucy yelling for Albert to go eat his lunch 😂. I liked the grandson at the end and Lucy playing maid in Mertz and Kurtz I didn’t care for either Matchmaker episode but at least i liked the bad meal Lucy made and the kids at the end in the one when Lucy is trying to get the elderly couple together. Ricky and the drums I enjoyed the moment with Ricky talking to lil Ricky with the toys
Rick, I'm surprised by your opinion. I remember all these episodes and some of them are my favorite. Of course, the best episodes are when Lucy/Ricky and Ethel/Fred argue amongst themselves or get competitive.
I like the Mertz and Kurtz because of the vaudeville performance. I don't need every episode to be funny. The other one I like is when Desi sings the Anniversary Waltz at the end. I think that was very heart warming.
There's many reasons there are shows that are "so so" or "forgetable" or rarely watched or shown. The reasons range from one extreme to another as well. I will give a few examples: Episodes ordered by the company - usually there are a specific number of episodes ordered ahead of production of a season. Sometimes things happen in the actors lives to prevent this, or sometimes the ideas of episodes don't mesh too well, so they don't continue with a certain storyline. So they have to make "fillers". Fillers: "Fillers" are episodes that usually would be made in case they can't fullfil a contractual obligation to a number of episodes or something that prevented the company from producing the number of episodes required to fill the order. These types of episode usually end up being the "lost" episodes of any show. Sometimes filler episodes are shows that the censors didn't like, or that the actors decided wasn't good enough, or the actors had time at the end of a seasons production and specifically made a filler episode or two. Fair Play Episodes: I don't know what Hollywood calls these types of episodes, but I call them Fair Play, because these are episodes that will usually focus on one of the secondary or third level actors in the show. These could have been promised to the actor, or written into their contract, or have been specifically written for them because the main character had other things going on at that time. Flops: Episodes made that they actors thought would be wildly accepted, but fell flat on its "face". These will usually be pulled from airing and kept for fillers. A lot of these kinds of episodes will also be "lost footage" or "lost episodes" later on. Not everything hits an audience the way it's intended. Guests: A promise might be made to a certain actor or celebrity to appear in an episode, usually by the production companies and not the actors, but never the less........episodes have to be written and installed into that seasons shows regarding this guest appearance. And if the actors have already fullfilled thier quota of shows, one has to be pulled in order for the guest episode to air. And this episode will be kept as a filler episode also. Life Events: Sometimes the actors want to insert some of their personal life into an episode, which Lucy did a great deal of. As you stated, these shows aren't that bad, but aren't that good either. But they inject a bit of real life and humanity into the show, which audiences will usually appreciate.....as life isn't all fun and games, even though the episode isn't the most significant one made. There are many reasons there are episodes that just don't seem to work, fail, or are just likable and thats all. They aren't all a result of Lucys or Desis influence, sometimes it was completely out of their hands. You also have to remember, comedy is hard.......and finding comedy that will cross the boundaries of all peoples is even harder. Not everything is going to be five star guffaws and chuckles.
Not all episodes had to be funny. The one where little Ricky gets stage fright is a very beautiful episode because it show cases Desi and Lucy's parenting skills ( OK it wasn't Desi Jr but Keith tibbedo as little Ricky)having a normal childhood experience
I pretty much agree with your list. The one that I skip over is the Hollywood episode where they get on each others nerves with silly habits and then they meet Rock Hudson at the end. It's a total downer. Great job. Thanks Rick!
I am an I Love Lucy fan big time. But there are a few episodes that I never cared for and don't want to ever see again: ''Drafted'', ''Mertz and Kurtz'', and also that episode in Florida when they are hiding the fish in the bathtub. There are a few others, too. But most of the I love Lucy episodes I will watch over and over again!
Rick, I saw the rest of the video, and I largely agree with your selections, but there are several I Love Lucy episodes that just don't have that Comedic Wow factor including the one where that Trophy/Cup gets stuck on Lucy's head. It's so forgettable that whenever it comes on, I remember to not watch it! lol I Love Lucy is my favorite show of all time also. Of course, a few other shows land somewhere in my top ten including Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, Charlie's Angels (mostly the 1st and 4th Seasons, etc.), The Bionic Woman, etc.
Is there any chance of finding the hour-long Lucy and Desi specials? I loved the one where they went to Alaska with Red Skelton and the one where they went uranium hunting with Fred MacMurray.
I like the quiz show and Mertz and Kertz but I agree with the list chosen for this category. I Love Lucy is still my all-time favorite comedy show but some were quite forgettable. The inferiority complex was definitely one of the most forgettable. I also didn't like Lucy's last birthday, Lucy Gets a maid, Lucy meets Bob Hope, Lucy Meets Orson Welles, Lucy Misses the Mertzes, Little Ricky Goes to Nursery School, Lucy is Envious, Oil Wells, The Business Manager, The Ricardos dedicate a statue and Lucy Meets Hedda Hopper.
Gosh, you found some episodes I completely forgot about! I don't remember at least half of these. I don't know if I didn't see them often enough or that they were meh.
Interesting video. I would say that Vacation from Marriage is one of the episodes I frequently watch so I really like it. However, I agree with you that The Inferiority Complex is not one that I tend to watch.
Please tell me where/how one could buy all the episodes on CD since I don't live in the US and have to rely on what's available on buy-able disc. Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I would find interesting is if an episode of I Love Lucy was filmed featuring the Three Stooges. I would dearly love to know who'd be the zanier-Lucy or the Stooges?
I think Lucille would back off and let the Stooges shine, if it was on her show. I think Lucy acted pretty serious when she was in a zany situation, but the Stooges were more cartoony
I agree for the most part with your list, and to add for me, The French Revue, The Fox Hunt, Lucy’s Bicycle Trip, Lucy Meets Orson Welles, and Visitor From Italy. Probably a few more, but those are ones I skip right over.
I don’t have a problem with most of those. Fox Hunt, at the end is funny….that horse scene. French Revue is funny to me. Welles one is a bit slow paced and not too funny. Visitor from Italy has its good moments when Ricky sees Mario hiding out with the Mertz and when Lucy flips that pizza haha
The French Revue is a great episode. When Lucy and Ethel are trying to learn French, Lucy’s pronunciations are hilarious! La pluuuuum, la taaaabluh! 😂😂😂 The bit with them all donning straw hats and canes was a little dumb, but other than that I love this episode.
I never liked the "Drafted" episode. If I see that's coming on, I'll skip it. On the other hand, I really like "The Anniversary Present" and would rank it highly on that seasons episodes. In "Let's Be Friends", the roof scenes are very funny. In "Club Elections" the first part is good, but the nightclub scenes are a bore. Definitely do not like "Mertz and Kurtz".
I like the Matchmaker episode, because Lucy being sassy about how she's dressed and makes breakfast would so be me. LOL... Don Juan and the Starlets is disrespectful to Lucy. It's like his agent or whatever doesn't care Ricky is married and how Lucy would feel. Much like how Hollywood was and is even today.
I completely agree on all of these. I expected to disagree with a few, but no. You nailed it. Not bad episodes, just not the ones I ever elect to watch. The Mertz and Kertz one I watch sometimes for the cute song numbers though, but the overall story could have been punched up more.
HI Rick, I am overdosing on PLUTO TV with continuous ILL shows; regarding the shows you identified , I was surprised that the talents of Pugh and Carroll script writers didn't do better creativity wise as it appears they quickly finished their scripts;, I am surprised Lucy would do any show she felt was not worthy for her audience.
On the Hollywood episode, I thought the funny part was when the maid came in & said she thought she could finish up & Ricky realized what she said & chases after her. After he proved his innocence from maid…THEN they found the playlist.
There are 4 of the episodes I avoid when I watch I Love Lucy. "Inferiority Complex", "The Club Election", "Mertz & Kurtz" & "Don Juan & The Starlets". But that's just a few on my "to avoid" list. 😑
Sorry Rick, you reveal your ignorance concerning the episode Kurtz and Mertz. Barney Kurtz is portrayed by Charles Winninger - famed stage and movie star who *created* the role of Captain Andy in Show Boat (among other things). You always neglect William Frawley's extensive vaudeville career - and I'm sure Frawley and Winninger must have known each other at least 40 years prior to I Love Lucy. As with "Carolina in the Morning" (which Frawley introduced to the world) it stands to reason that what they do in this episode is an actual recreation of what was done in vaudeville making this historically important and valuable.
The Club Election confuses me. They make all those posters whose going to see them? All the ladies that are going to vote live all over town. Who are the posters for? It's not like they are going to put them up outside to advertise, there's only like 10 people on the club. It never made sense to me. Never liked the Mertz and Kertz episode The drum episode the one where they're all part of the play, Lucy is a witch I won't watch those
So Rick, I guess I got confused by what you meant by forgettable. You mentioned the word funny a lot. So obviously, you have a connection between funny and unforgettable. Every single show that was on this list I remember. So if you said what it was about, I would know what you were talking about. But that is not what you were going for here. For me there are definitely shows that I did not like, maybe you want to connect that with not being funny, I don’t know. The Mertz and Kertz episode is one of them.
I really enjoyed this. You nailed this list- all episodes I skip over. The only one on the list I sometimes play is “Mertz and Kertz” because I do enjoy watching Lucy play the maid! Thanks, Rick!
Like a lot of shows, there are some duds in there. There are a few moments of giggles, but NOT much more. The man that plays the "bum" did have a funny performance. Some had some "jacked UP" endings. I felt sorry for Ricky when everyone didn't believe him and thought he was a cad. I DID find it a sweet tender moment with he and little Ricky. I really enjoyed those scenes.
Totally agree, and I love that sweet scene with Ricky and Little Ricky. I also love seeing the joy on the faces of the band members as they watch Little Ricky (Keith Thibodeaux) play the drums at the club and then clap for him after the song.
We all have our favorites, mine are when they are trying to hide Lucy's pregnancy before she revealed it as part of the plot of the show. I never noticed as a kid but, of course, after I was grown it's so obvious.
"The Marriage License" from Season 1 is an episode that is forgettable to me. It was short on laughs, as well as "Ricky Minds the Baby" from Season 3. As I type this, I can't remember much about either episode.
I think all of these episodes are worth watching. Sometimes the show isn't so 'madcap/zany'. Sometimes it is about a family. One episode I truly dislike is the one where Lucy is trying to get a designer dress(?) or be in a fashion show(?). She is sunburned and wearing a tweed dress and is horribly uncomfortable. Not for me.
@rick nineg I can handle the episode where she is locked in the meat freezer--certainly uncomfortable! The sunburned Lucy in the itchy dress is too much. By the way, any episode that has Ricky in the club singing is worth seeing. I even like the one about "the big straw hat over your eyes." It isn't a good song. It is about watching the wonderful desi arnaz.
I haven’t forgotten any of these. They may not be particularly noteworthy or even funny. I’ve been watching these shows for over 50 years. Since I have all the DVDs I watch the whole show in order. There are many episodes I’m not particularly fond of, and a few I just outright dislike (Like Women from Mars - that is such a ridiculously stupid show, but for the time it was aired, that was a concern for this country).
I liked drafted and most of the episodes here but I agree that there wasn’t a lot of strong points in the episode. But I actually had forgotten about most of the episodes you listed. It’s funny that Ricky was getting pearls for Lucy but later on in the series, there was an episode where Lucy was begging Ricky for real pearls because she had never had a strand of pearls before. The other episode that could be forgotten is the episode following Lucy having the baby. It was just Ricky, Fred and Ethel at the piano the whole time talking about memories. It was rather boring of an episode.
The ones where they went to Europe were most meh. Not counting the one where Lucy gets on the ship from the helicopter. The one where they get stranded on the mountain and the one where they cross the border riding bicycles.
Hey Rick would you do more of the translations of what Desi is saying in Spanish? I love those! I actually loved the Mertz and Kurtz episode which allowed us to see Bill Frawley’s talents! I also hated the episode “Don Juan and the Starlets”- it was disrespectful to Lucy and made her miserable. I do not understand what the writers were thinking.
I don't agree with you on ANY of your choices!! I realize these are all your opinion.. but, again, not everyone shares your opinion.. I seriously thinking of un-subscribing..
I enjoy all the episodes. However there is one I will not watch and that is “Lucy Goes to Scotland”. Horrible. Nothing funny in the whole episode and Fred & Ethel as the dragon terrified me as a kid. Not what I want from my Lucy
