Carstairs Considers....: TV Show Review: I Love Lucy

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

TV Show Review: I Love Lucy - Season 3

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: 31 episodes that are still funny 60 years later

Cons: Absolutely none

The Bottom Line:

Do you love to laugh?

Then you, too, will love Lucy

And this classic show

The Laughs Don't Stop with Season 3

The third season of I Love Lucy finds the writer and actors producing their best stuff to date. Unlike future years where the setting changes, all 31 of these classic episodes are set in New York and find Cuban Band Leader Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and his wife Lucy (Lucille Ball) getting into and out of all kinds of scraps. Along for the ride are their neighbors, landlords, and best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance).

There are many classic episodes in this season. "Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress" and almost ruin their friendship over it when they both wear them to sing a duet on TV. "Lucy Tells the Truth," or attempts to, and gets knives thrown at her as a result of one little lie. In an effort to regain their husbands' attention, Lucy and Ethel attend "Charm School" with different results from what they expected. A "Bonus Buck" turns out to be a starchy deal. Lucy and Ethel learn "The Golf Game" in a way you've never seen before. But they get their revenge of their husbands with the help of a pro-golfer. This season also features two of Tennessee Ernie Ford's three appearances on the show. (The other is in season 4).

There are many equally funny episodes in this set that I love that aren't on any classic list I've ever seen. "Equal Rights" finds the girls washing dishes to settle a tab when the boys let them pay their own way. "Baby Pictures" contains one of my all time favorite lines from the show when we learn Little Ricky (a toddler at this point) speaks English and Spanish, but he only speaks Spanish when he's angry. "Sentimental Anniversary" is funny and sweet at the same time. This episode finds Lucy and Ricky attempting to spend a nice quiet evening at home for their anniversary while Fred and Ethel try to throw them a surprise party. The episode "Ricky Loses His Temper" nominates Ricky for sainthood. Lucy and Ricky make a bet over whether Ricky can keep his temper longer then Lucy can go without buying a hat. After she buys a hat, Lucy sets out to make Ricky loose his temper. Finally, "Ricky's Hawaiian Vacation" finds Lucy trying to sneak her way with the band by lying to a game show.

The show is over 50 years old, and occasionally it comes out in the styles or references to pop culture. But, for the most part, these shows are timeless. And they have wonderful repeat value. I laugh every time I watch them. That's because the humor and stories come from every day situations. They just made them a little more outrageous for the laughs.

Plus, the actors do a great job of bring everything to life. The four leads are hilarious and feed well off each other. The guest stars are perfect cast as well. There's not a bad note in the bunch.

Once again, this set is ideal for collectors. The 31 episodes are presented in all their black and white glory. I doubt they could look better. The sound, while not earth shattering, is true to the program and it certainly sounds sharp. Each disc is loaded with info on guest stars, behind the scenes information, flubs, original animation, episodes of Lucy's radio show "My Favorite Husband," and the other goodies we're used to seeing from these releases.

While season four is my favorite season, this is a very close second. With 31 reasons to laugh, you'll be glad you got I Love Lucy - Season Three even if you are a casual fan.

Season 3 Episodes:

1. Ricky's "Life" Story

2. The Girls Go Into Business

3. Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress

4. Equal Rights

5. Babyl Pictures

6. Lucy Tells the Truth

7. The French Revue

8. Rececorating the Mertzes' Apartment

9. Too Many Crooks

10. Changing the Boys' Wardrobe

11. Lucy has Her Eyes Examines