Lucy's a pretty crappy person - I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion

[–] ExplorerDS6789 10 years ago

Lucy usually faced consequences for her actions, such as getting stuck on the roof, stuck in a freezer, wall-papered to a wall, falling into a palm tree, realizing she went through a great deal of work for nothing, or being put over Ricky's knee so he can use her bottom for a bongo drum.

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[–] wildcat2000 10 years ago

Some of these comments are pretty ridiculous. Those who think she was a bitch or had a mental disorder are reading waaaaaay too much into the character.

She was just meant to be a goofy housewife who got into silly situations. Only term I agree with at all here is childish...since the comedy can't really exist without being childish sometimes. Not for this show.

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[–] antonasmodeus 10 years ago

Well it's too bad Lucy wasn't married to Ralph Kramden then he could have sent her to the moon every time she acted up.

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[–] lavenderspirit2005 10 years ago

Some of these comments are pretty ridiculous. Those who think she was a bitch or had a mental disorder are reading waaaaaay too much into the character.

She was just meant to be a goofy housewife who got into silly situations. Only term I agree with at all here is childish...since the comedy can't really exist without being childish sometimes. Not for this show.

Thank you wildcat! I thought I had entered quite a different show, the "Twilight Zone", on this message board, LOL!

People are getting too damn intense over a fun show that brought people a great deal of joy. I loved Lucy Ricardo's hijinks. Some of my childhood memories were watching the old reruns with my dad, mom, or grandmother (she loved "I Love Lucy" from way back. She was already a wife living in the suburbs when the show originally aired. In fact, she gave my mom the SAME style of nursery room decorations when I was born, the cat with the fiddle, that hung in "Little Ricky's" nursery in the show. They must've been popular back in the 50s and she'd hung onto them for years.) Lucille Ball became one of my favorite actresses of all time because of this show, and the ironic thing about it is that she was absolutely nothing like her Lucy Ricardo character in real life. It's a testament to how much of a comedic genius she was. I really dislike people tearing down her iconic character by summing up and boiling down that role and everything she poured into it, as nothing but a "bitch". Something about that is incredibly insulting.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

I really dislike people tearing down her iconic character by summing up and boiling down that role and everything she poured into it, as nothing but a "bitch". Something about that is incredibly insulting.

Maybe YOU shouldn't take it as a personal affront.

People are entitled to their opinions, and who are you to tell them they're not?

I've said all along that suspension of disbelief is necessary to see the humor in Lucy's shenanigans, which, in real life, would send a person to the slammer.

It seem to me that YOU are the one who is getting "getting too damn intense" for wanting to be an apologist for a fictitious character.

You see, your accusation of being "too intense" goes both ways.

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[–] lavenderspirit2005 10 years ago

Hi Gubbio! Yes, people are entitled to their opinions.  Including myself. And I posted my opinions.

Have a nice day! 

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[–] shandy8 10 years ago

Of course you are right. I guess people like selfish character. "Seinfeld" was a huge hit.
"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

Yeah, everyone on Seinfeld was selfish. When Kramer and Jerry thought the laundry guy stole their money, they tuned one of his washers on purpose. That was pretty low.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

Of course people will laugh at and watch crappy people. I sure hope Lucy's character isn't how women would want to act if they could.

Being a crappy person, she was still very popular as that childish and selfish character. Being popular and being successful in TV is not a direct correlation to being a good and wholesome character. If that was the case, there would be zero Kardashians on TV and no Al Bundy or even no Fred Sanford, Archie Bunker, or George Jefferson.

If Lucy was an actual person, she really would be a pretty bad person.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

As I mentioned before, the studio audience and people at home, won't laugh at or love a "crappy" person. Ball didn't play her as selfish, mean spirited, etc. in any way. What she did was what any woman would want to do. If the character was anything, she was a social climber. Ricky made good money so he was pretty stingy.

You live in a dream world -- and are definitely not looking at the facts.

Lucy Ricardo was childish, spoiled, demanding, scheming -- and a lot of other negative things -- which could have landed a REAL person in jail. If she acted "normal," there would have been no comedy.

But, you insist on being an apologist for her. You seem to be looking at her with a "women's rights" angle, because you keep bringing up Ricky's faults (and yes, he had them).

Women's rights is not what the series was all about. It was about one selfish/crazy woman's desire to have her way in every situation.

There is none so blind as she who will not see.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

but y'all seemed to keep calling her "crappy" and I'm going to call you on it.

And YOU keep beating the same old drum -- that's WHY YOU'VE been "called" on it.

You're taking it personally. You're an idiot.

The last word is yours -- if you care to take it. I'm finished wasting my time with you. Bye.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

Okay, you seem to be stuck on your point that audience reaction somehow means she's not a crappy person. You keep saying this as if it's a good argument. Do you really think an audience approving something and enjoying something is evidence of a character's moral character? Are you really trying to say that an audience approval is what you base your opinion of someone doing crappy things? Not me. I can enjoy the show and laugh at the antics, but when it comes down to it, some of her actions are really crappy no matter how much an audience approves.

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[–] Itsamoomoo 10 years ago

I don't think I've ever come across anyone with a more nastier disposition as I have with the original poster of this thread about Lucy Ricardo. It's just a show. Why the strong need to analyze her character and then act so superior about it? I bet this original poster wouldn't have the guts to tell Lucille Ball to her face that he thinks Lucy Ricardo is a "crappy person" if she were still alive. Do us all a favor and get some help. You need it.

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

Sorry, I don't mean to sound nasty, just pointing something out. Yes, I understand it's just a show and a very good one that has maintained its popularity over several decades.

I'm not sure what you mean by acting superior about it. I'll be the first one to tell you that I couldn't have written that much comedy or that many episodes for any show that would have gotten aired.

I don't know if I'd say it's a strong need to analyze her character, but I don't think there's anything wrong with discussing the finer details for shows, the characters, the writers, and the plots of the stories.

I do believe she was a crappy person and I pointed out the reasons for saying so. I know this is possibly annoying to some fans and seems like petty bickering, but at the same time, some of the things said in defense don't make any sense, either.

If I had the chance to meet Lucille Ball, would I have the guts to tell her I think Lucy (the character) was a crappy person? That definitely wouldn't be what I would start out with. If I had an hour or so to just sit down with her and talk, I'd have tons of questions for her, like "How did you come up with the plot for this episode?" or whatever. It's not like they had decades of other shows to swipe plots from like they do now. A lot of what she did on the show was really original.

Now, if she and I were friends and talking every day, or if I visited with her on a regular basis, at some point, I would bring up some of the not-so-desirable qualities of her character, like the how petty she could be and how she was going to do whatever she wanted despite what anyone else said or did or what consequences may result from her actions.

I don't think I need help. I'm just expressing my opinion, both positive and negative. I'll say it again: I think the show is great and entertaining, but if Lucy (the character) was a real person, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near her.

I don't think that's too harsh or petty for me to say.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

I don't think I've ever come across anyone with a more nastier disposition as I have with the original poster of this thread about Lucy Ricardo. It's just a show. Why the strong need to analyze her character and then act so superior about it?

For the sake of discussion, the OP isn't the only one to have reached this conclusion. Over the years, Lucy Ricardo's character and negative personality traits have been discussed in this forum SEVERAL times.

Some have even gone so far as to say she was a "terrible mother" for always pawning off Little Ricky to Ethel, Fred, and Mrs. Trumbull -- as she ran out the door for one of her crazy schemes.

For this, I blame the writers, and this has been my position all along: The child never should have been written into the show, as he had no place in her schemes. He wasn't needed. His presence necessitated the writers to always have lines about his whereabouts, necessitating that he always be deposited with one of the above mentioned.

It was Lucy's and Desi's show, they were trying to make their marriage work, and they were happy about the birth of their real son. So, they wanted the Ricardo's to be parents. But, the kid was deadwood, in my opinion.

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[–] bookwormdreamer 10 years ago

I didn't go through the whole thread so forgive me if this was already brought up. I grew up watching ILL and I still like watching the show but at least some of the situations they were involved with do put Lucy in a bad light.The more I watch the episode when the man subletting the Ricardo's apartment the less I like it.I know they needed the apartment or thought they would but the way Lucy and Ethel got rid of Mr Beacher was mean spirited and cruel.He had been a witness on murder trial and the scared him off by pretending Ethel shot Lucy.

I do agree she can come across as as spoiled and selfish and childish but normally I don't mind they don't take it too far. This went beyond that I thought in that episode.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

the way Lucy and Ethel got rid of Mr Beacher was mean spirited and cruel.He had been a witness on murder trial and the scared him off by pretending Ethel shot Lucy.

I can only repeat:

"Lucy Ricardo was childish, spoiled, demanding, scheming -- and a lot of other negative things -- which could have landed a REAL person in jail. If she acted "normal," there would have been no comedy."

As I also said above, the joke with "Archie Bunker" was that his prejudices usually came back to bite him in the ass.

Similarly, Lucy's schemes usually turned out badly for her.

We not only laughed at their antics -- we laughed AT them in the end. They inadvertently became the butt of the joke.

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[–] lmcsrbfl 10 years ago

I'm just commenting on a recent episode,"Lucy Cries Wolf" in which she reads a newspaper headline about a woman that was robbed in her home and her husband checked on her 5-6 hours later. Lucy says 'That husband didnt love his wife,otherwise he'd run home immediately since she was in danger'if that was my husband,i'd leave him.'

So of course she tests Ricky but pretending a fake robbery,hiding in the closet and climbing out a window,however the neighbor phoned Ricky,then he knew she was fooling around.
It turns out 2 crooks tie up Lucy,then she complains to Ricky,Fred+Ethel why they didn't come to help her.

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

She's terrible at executing a plan. No matter how many times she fails, she keeps at it with complete confidence.

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I'm just expressing my opinion.

You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.

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[–] Loveunderlaw 10 years ago

Lucille Ball was rotten in real life too ! Just read about how Vivian Vance got treated badly by her, despicable person really she was. Her good looks weren't her saving grace either IMO...
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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

I think she looked better in real life than in her persona as Lucy Ricardo. She definitely wasn't ugly, but in real life, I think she was prettier.

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I'm just expressing my opinion.

You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

Lucille Ball was rotten in real life too ! Just read about how Vivian Vance got treated badly by her, despicable person really she was.

I wouldn't believe everything I read:

http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/vance.asp

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

I don't know how Lucille Ball treated Vivian Vance, but that article really only disputes the rumor that Vivian Vance was contractually obligated to do certain things. It doesn't really get into their relationship.

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I'm just expressing my opinion.

You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.

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[–] euniceanthony 10 years ago

I must agree. When Lucy made the reservations and then cancelled them, pretending there were all these people that wanted to see Ricky Ricardo, she didn't think about what she was doing to the career of the other performer that had been hired. What if that man's wife did what Lucy did, and ruined Ricky's career, or reputation as a performer? In addition, there were many shows in which she stepped in for other performers that Ricky had hired. She locked one, gagged and tied up, in a closet. That woman may have needed the salary for that night to pay rent. Lucy was NEVER thinking of anyone but herself.

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[–] Gubbio 10 years ago

She locked one, gagged and tied up, in a closet.

Not to mention, that was a criminal offense. Assault? Kidnapping?

But, the audience is supposed to suspend disbelief and not consider that. 

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[–] shandy8 10 years ago

I don't know f it has been mentioned, but what the girls did to Mr. Beecher in 'The Sublease' was really cruel. The man was mentally unstable and they probably sent the poor man over the edge by faking a murder in front of him.

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[–] antonasmodeus 10 years ago

It's too bad Lucy and Vivian didn't live long enough to be on Jerry Springer. Now that would have been a battle for the ages!

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[–] InherentlyYours 10 years ago

' what the girls did to Mr. Beecher in 'The Sublease' was really cruel. The man was mentally unstable and they probably sent the poor man over the edge by faking a murder in front of him.'
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I know. They really were treading a fine line with that one, and right after her telling Ricky to be gentle with him. They were really relying on Lucy's likability to see it through many times
Desi showed himself an adept comedian with his line, "oh, this man's in great shape"

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[–] tomramon17 10 years ago

Your assessment of that particular episode had me laughing so hard. It was as if I were watching the entire episode through your eyes.😁 The premise of the series was that Lucy was selfish, self-absorbed, and star struck, and we love her for it!

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[–] crockett_john 10 years ago

The show was definitely entertaining and lots of people (including me) still watch it. I wouldn't want to encounter Lucy (the character) in real life, but she is fun to watch.

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I'm just expressing my opinion.

You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.

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[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

i can't think of many sitcom characters i would want to encounter in real life. Sitcoms have people behaving absurdly because they wouldn't be funny otherwise.

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[–] whedd3 10 years ago

You don't show that Lucy Ricardo is a crappy person. You just show that there are some real elements to her character. In real life you want more money from your boss. You don't care about the boss, you care about you and your family. Lucy Ricardo had friends who cared enough about her to help her out in her time of need. That's a good thing.

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[–] crockett_john 9 years ago

If my friends have to screw someone else over to benefit me, I wish they would just not do it. I wouldn't say that I don't care about my boss, either. That's another point about Lucy. She was really unethical. She not only told lies to cover for things that had already happened, but she would intentionally set out to tell a lie to get her own way.

Also, she was constantly putting Ricky's job in jeopardy. I don't think I'd be able to talk to someone again after the first time that happened.

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I'm just expressing my opinion.

You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.

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[–] lavenderspirit2005 10 years ago

Lucy Ricardo was an iconic character with a larger-than-life personality. All of these silly insults directed at a fictitious character makes for one truly silly thread...people are looking at the Lucy Ricardo character through 21st century eyes and getting pissed enough to call her a "b--ch"? LOL.

The comments on this board are ridiculous..."bipolar disorder"? "Narcissistic personality"? Her character from the start of the show was meant simply as a wacky, somewhat childish character who loved her family and friends but would pull off hijinks that would backfire to hilarious results. I've read several books about Lucy, Desilu, and the "I Love Lucy" production. Part of Lucy's charm, what made her such a lasting character, was her ballsy determination. She wasn't a perfect human being but at her core, she was a kind and loving wife and mother, and that's what prevented her from tipping over into the "insufferable" category at times. You could totally see that in the episodes. Such serious comments about a show and a character that brought so many people so much laughter and joy! Jeez! 

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[–] antonasmodeus 9 years ago

Ricky deserved better than Lucy. She deserved Ralph Kramden, so he could send her to the moon any time she acted up.

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[–] snsurone 9 years ago

Oh yeah, like he always did to Alice!

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