MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > The Ten "Classic" Episodes

The Ten "Classic" Episodes


I'm starting a new marathon tonight, in which I'm going to check out what is "generally" considered the top ten most famous eps. Many of these are not my personal faves, but I'm listing these loosely on my observations over the years. Not everyone would agree with this very unscientific roster, but here goes, in broadcast order.

PIONEER WOMEN

I know, this isn't a particulary memorable offering, but it's got the famous loaf-of-bread-out-of-the-oven scene. Everyone seems to remember this moment, even someone I knew who disliked the show. She, and many others find this scene a hoot, even though its lack of logic mars the comedy for me.

LUCY DOES A TV COMMERCIAL

A genuine classic, though I miss Ethel.

JOB SWITCHING

Quite possibly the most famous ILL ep and director William Asher's first.

LUCY IS ENCIENTE

Another classic and Ball's acting is beautiful.

LUCY GOES TO THE HOSPITAL

L.A. AT LAST

Quite a jump in time, but I can't think of a truly more classic ep since "Hospital." ("Ethel's Home Town" is more of a fan fave).

HARPO MARX

Probably the most famous Hollywood show.

LUCY'S ITALIAN MOVIE

Both Ball and Vance sparkle in this gem.

LUCY MEETS SUPERMAN

Even casual viewers love this one.

LUCY DOES THE TANGO

The eggs in the blouse thing is probably the finest example of Ball's singular genius.

Even though season three is my fave, I don't think there's truly a legendary ep here. Also, I went back and forth between "Pioneer Women" and "The Freezer", but in my experience the bread in the oven thing triumphs in terms of memorability.

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Mostly a great group of episodes although Pioneer Women is not a favorite of mine. As for the Hollywood episodes, I mostly skip the Harpo Marx one. I never cared for that particular Marx brother. His shtick of chasing women gets old and annoys me. However, Lucille Ball does a great job in this episode when they do their "mirror" routine.

As far as classic Hollywood episodes, I much prefer the Cornell Wilde and Richard Widmark episodes.

The most "famous" episodes don't necessarily mean the most entertaining to me. Usually the famous ones are the episodes which have a memorable moment, like the ten foot loaf of bread. I think Charm School is much funnier all the way through and not just a one note visual joke.

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100% agree.

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Finally we agree on something! Just kidding! LOL I'm of the same opinion about other sitcoms. Some episodes are considered "classics" when they really only have a classic scene or joke. Job Switching and Grape Stomping have classic funny scenes (and Lucy was great at physical comedy). They are episodes with a few great scenes but just not worthy of the "classic" title to me.

I've had the same opinion about some Mary Tyler Moore episodes. Everyone is quick to cite "Chuckles Bites the Dust". It is a funny episode, but it's basically one joke played over and over. After the first couple of viewings, it's just not funny to me.

The episodes that I like are those that carry a funny premise all the way through. Like when Mary dates the handsome ski instructor Paul, everyone gets on her case for dating him for his looks, especially Phyllis. But Phyllis is the one who has the major hots for him and it shows.

Or the episode when Phyllis's brother Ben visits and she tries to hook him up with Mary and goes ballistic when he ends up seeing Rhoda. That's funny. Rhoda milks it for all its worth and drives Phyllis crazy. The final moment when Rhoda explains why he's not "my type" is a great payoff. Everything leads up to a funny moment.

I just don't care for episodes whether it's ILL or any other sitcom that are just built around one funny scene.

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Now we disagree. I don't think "Job Switching" or "Lucy's Italian Movie" are one-joke episodes. Both are funny from start to finish for me. The guys in the former are hilarious themselves.

That being said, I don't think the first half of "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" is anything more than routine, especially without Ethel. It doesn't really start coming to life until Lucy shows up at the TV station.

I've NEVER loved MTM's "Chuckles the Clown." It certainly hasn't aged well. "My Brother's Keeper" is in my top ten. A winner. And as a gay man, I'm personally touched by the bravery of one of the first gay TV episodes. It also concludes with another of Mary's horrible parties. And isn't this Gorgette's first ep?

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It was inevitable...lol The episodes you cited ARE funny. But to me I just don't find them hilarious from start to finish.

Yes, "My Brother's Keeper" is a classic. Might have been Georgette's first episode.


"Job Switching" is funny. But on repeated viewings I get annoyed with the utter dumbness of Ricky and Fred. Starching Lucy's nylons? Making four pounds of rice? It gets a little too silly for me.

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