A Review of Season Six

I've found catching up with the shows after work, etc. on the Pluto App (as I think they're uncut), that there are some episodes I don't like much overall, but they stick out for a funny line/situation. "Ragtime Band" is one of these. I like when Lucy Fred, Ethel and Little Ricky each come in individually to complain about the lack of talent of the others. Ethel's line about Lucy's saxophone playing ("Lucy's saxophone sounds like a WOUNDED MOOSE calling to its' mate!") is great as is Ethel's expression when she says it to Ricky.

That said, I think Lucy's lack of instrumental musical talent was a plot hook that had been done to death by this point. I suppose the writers felt they were freshening it up by adding the Mertzes, but I think there was at least one other episode where Ethel's lack of ability on the piano was referenced (the one in which Ethel kicks Lucy out of the band she and the other members of the womens' club are planning to form).And how is it that the only tune Lucy can play is "Sweet Sue" when in at least one previous episode she played an equally horrific, off key version of "Glow Worm"?

I've found I do overall like the Connecticut episodes. They inject some fresh ideas into the series. I wish there were more of them and that the Ramseys were featured more often. I thought Mary Jane Croft and Frank Nelson worked very well with the established star foursome.

The first episodes of season six really give the newly cast Richard Keith a lot to do. that kid was a trouper! The character really brings out the selflessness of Lucy and Ricky too. In the school play episode, Ricky is ready and willing to give a lot of time to the production. He's even miffed when they don't take advantage of his show biz background and instead, make him a tree instead of the show's director!

Ricky sets a good example for his son by being a good sport and a team player. In earlier episodes he usually threw a fit when Lucy wanted him to perform in one of her club events. She often had to wheedle or trick him into doing something. But here he was a devoted father and nothing was too much for his son.

The stage fright episode isn't one of my faves, but it does show both couples to be very mature and devoted to Little Ricky.

The Bob Hope episode is funny. No one could match Hope for a witty comeback. The end number shows a real warmth between Lucille Ball and her old friend from MGM. But I actually prefer the Orson Welles episode more. In one Lucy bio , it's mentioned how he was staying in their guest how and the Arnazes thought he was a real pain. But his talent simply shines through when he recites Shakespeare.

Lucy running out of the department store dressing room in snorkeling gear is hilarious. I know she supposedly buys a scuba diving kit, but that takes a LOT of training. You don't just go scuba diving as a novice. The moment where she says she's going to Florida and Welles comes back with a dry, "Under water the whole way?" always makes me laugh.
And I love the magic act at the end with the Princess Loo-Si. I am fascinated by magic and I can never figure out how that trick is done.

The loving cup episode is hilarious. It's true that Ball's expression are obvious even with that big cup covering most of her face. And her question in the subway, "Where am I?" is met with a hilarious, "Earth".

I'm not a huge fan of the Florida episodes. But I do like the one where the girls share a ride with Mrs Grundy, as played by the charming Elsa Lanchester with that musical lilt in her voice. She sings out all her questions like, "Didn't I tell you to pack a lunch?"

Favorite line, "I love buttered grass!"

The two episodes in the boat are okay, but I always marvel at how Fred overcame his earlier seasickness! I never have. I can fly in the worst turbulence. But boats make me queasy.