MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Falling in Love With Season One

Falling in Love With Season One

posted a year ago by Garyandfilm (530)
8 replies | jump to latest

As PJ and I, along with a few others, have always said, season one is NOT a favorite season, especially compared to seasons two, three and four. There is an antiquated feel to the first year, with some genuine duds.

That being said, I've begun the new year focusing on this first season (one or two a night before bed). For the first time in years, I have begun to really appreciate the innate charm of these early shows. And while I still wouldn't call "The Amagio" or "Drafted" favorites, I no longer feel they are as bad as I remembered. Bill Frawley has some wonderful stuff to do in both, and I love Shep Menken as the amorous French guy. It was fun seeing them again with fresh eyes.

Also, in recent years, I've begun to really enjoy "The Fur Coat", "The Seance" and others.

The first year is really quite enchanting, especially knowing where they would go with these four great characters.

[–] Corryveckan45 (168) 10 months ago

I've always liked "The Adagio," at least this classic line from Ricky, one of the funniest in the series in my opinion:

Jean Valjean Raymond: I was told that American men were AFRAID to duel...

Ricky: American eh? (Chuckling) I guess I fooled you with my Brooklyn acCENT!

I haven't watched "Drafted" in a long time, and haven't missed it. I'll probably always consider it one of the worst episodes of the series.

I do think "The Seance" and "The Fur Coat" have their moments. I like "Madame Merzola's" method of contacting the Spirit World, e.g., "Ethel to Tillie...Ethel to Tillie!"

[–] steven1660 (144) 10 months ago

I was taking my lunch break today and on pluto they have 24/7 Lucy so I put the channel on and there was "Drafted". I had not seen it in years and like you, while still not my favorite, It was funnier then I remembered. When they stuff everyone in the closet, that was pretty funny!

For season one, I love "Ricky thinks he's getting bald" and "Ricky asks for a raise" probably the best. But "the seance" is very cute.

[–] [email protected] (5854) 10 months ago

Yes, season one was definitely a "shake down" cruise for the series. But it's not bad and there are some genuinely funny episodes.

If you consider the time period, very early sitcoms did comedy broadly with a lot of corny moments. Also, there were a number of sitcoms from that era which have been lost to history. But these early ILL episodes have survived.

Even these early Lucy episodes showed promise and the characters already had a lot of depth.

[–] Garyandfilm (530) 10 months ago

PJ, I think you posted some time back that you now enjoy "Lucy Plays Cupid " I caught that one over the weekend and enjoyed it, even if I still don't love it. Edward Everette Horton is a hoot! It's main issue for me is no Fred and Ethel.

I also caught "The Amateur Hour." Those twin boys make the kids in "Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" look like angels! A fun offering.

[–] [email protected] (5854) 10 months ago

Yeah, I guess I forgot about the Cupid episode! The last time I watched it, I did like it. The only negative is no Fred or Ethel.

The "twin" boys were a couple of little monsters! No wonder their mother had to constantly find new babysitters. lol

It's interesting how the the two actors were not even related but they come across as twins anyway.

[–] Garyandfilm (530) 10 months ago

Fraternal twins, to be sure. Other than their clothes, hats and glasses, they look nothing alike.

[–] Stratego (30497) 10 months ago

Hmm, I definitely prefer season 1 over season 4 with the Hollywood story arc.

[–] Garyandfilm (530) 10 months ago

It all boils down to opinion, but the first year creaks and groans in many early eps, while season four plays like fresh paint with the writing and cast at their apex.